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Illustrations of mechanical limbs from Works of Ambrose Parre,1678
This collection of 1900 books is the ÄûÃÊÊÓƵ Library's largest and most diverse collection of rare books. The collection was formed in 2003 having being extracted from the Library's Main Collection and comprises books published before 1801 and other valuable works.
It contains a number of generous gifts to the University such as the legacy of Harlod Foster Hallett, which includes early works of philosophy and first editions of the works of Anthony Trollope, travel and scientific books from Sir Henry D'Avigdor-Goldsmid and first editions of 20th century literary works from Bishop George Bell.
Some highlights of the collection
Works of Ambrose Parre,1678 : a C16 surgeon to the French army, Parre radicalised theories of surgery. This volume contaiins many beautiful illustrations including artificial and mechanical limbs, organs of the body and siamese twins.
Wilkins Real Character, 1668: a founder member of the Royal Society, Wilkins siught to use language systematically to describe the natural world. This book includes an illustration in which Wilkins uses the wolf as a standard sized animal to calculate how animals were fitted and fed in Noah's Ark.
The Four Gospels, 1931: illustrated by Eric Gill
An excursion to Brighthelmstone, by Henry Wigstead, 1789
Find the books on the Library catalogue
The books within this collection can be found on the Main Library catalogue and are denoted with the shelfmark location 'Special Collections:Rare Books'. A list of the books in the collection can be found by typing 'US rare books ' into the keyword field of the catalogue. This list is being worked on and does not currently show all books within the collection.
Access
This collection is kept in closed storage. Any one wishing to consult a book form the collection must contact Special Collections in advance of their visit with reference details in order that the book(s) be available on arrival.
Reproductions
As books are fragile, it is not possible to photocopy from them, but researchers are welcome to use the digital copier available in Special Collections s to take images of the material. Normal copyright rules for published material apply and a fee for us of the digital copier will be made.