Recent Rare Books and Special Collections Acquisition Highlights
The University of Sydney Library's collection of Rare Books and Special Collections are amongst the most significant and extensive in the Southern Hemisphere. From Medieval manuscripts to recent literary highlights, the Library continues to collect items with academic research and teaching potential.
We are pleased to share a small selection of new (to us) treasures. Some build on existing strengths in early medical, scientific, East Asian, and liturgical works. Others showcase our current ‘women of STEM’ collecting priority. All of them contribute to an enriched collection for the scholars of today, and tomorrow.
These acquisitions were made possible through the generous donations of benefactors past and present. Find out more about supporting the Library.
Visit our collections
Our wide range of Rare Books and Special Collections are available for University of Sydney academics and students to view, research and teach with. If you have an enquiry, please contact:
cultural.collections@usyd.libanswers.com.
We also welcome the public to view and study our collections. You will need to register for a free Rare Books ID and visit during our Rare Books and Special Collections Reading Room opening hours. Find out more about viewing items from special collections.
If you are unable to visit our collections in-person, you can also book a Virtual Reading Room session, or explore thousands of digitised photos, illustrations, documents, magazines and more on our Digital Collections website and our Google Arts & Culture page.
A Noble Fragment of the Gutenberg Bible
This leaf originates from the first edition, 42-line Bible printed in Mainz by Johann Gutenberg, between 1454-1455. The Gutenberg Bible was the first great book printed in Western Europe from movable metal type, marking a transition from the Middle Ages to the modern world.
The Library of Congress notes that the invention of the mechanical printing press by Gutenberg, “made it possible for the accumulated knowledge of the human race to become the common property of every person who knew how to read—an immense forward step in the emancipation of the human mind”.
The leaf is from an imperfect copy which was broken up and distributed by bookseller Gabriel Wells after he acquired it in 1921 at auction. Sold in a portfolio case with an essay written by A.E. Newton, these leaves became known as ‘Noble Fragments’.
This item was acquired with funds from the John Alan and Marcelle Gilbert Fund.
Two 9th century manuscript fragments from Kufic Qur’ans
- [Qur’an, separate leaf from Kufic manuscript, Abbasidic] Add.Ms. 442
- [Qur’an, separate leaf from Kufic manuscript, Abbasidic] Add.Ms. 443
These single parchment leaves originated from two manuscript copies of the Qur’an dating to around the year 850 CE. They are an exquisite example of the early Arabic script known as Kufic.
Peyvand Firouzeh, Lecturer in Islamic Art at the Department of Art History, highlights that the early date, visual characteristics, and materiality offer unique teaching opportunities in the fields of Islamic art, visual culture, history and religion, as well as potential for a digital reconstruction of the dispersed original manuscript.
This item was acquired with funds from the Eric and Thelma Edwards Library Fund.
The Burra book
Artist Lisa Jackson Pulver created this work about “Burra,” which is the Gadigal people of the Sydney region word for eel.
This work is made using five copper plates that were created and treated using various techniques, including embossing, relief rolling or printing onto chine colle. A variety of techniques have been used to enhance the textures and depth of the story.
Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver AM is a proud Aboriginal woman with connections to communities in Southwestern New South Wales, South Australia and beyond. Jackson Pulver was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney from 2018 and concluded her second term in 2024, to return to her discipline in Public Health and Epidemiology.
“Burra are highly resilient and teach us a lot about the environment, about who we are, and about how to adapt to the constant changes we are now facing.” – Lisa Jackson Pulver
Maria Sibylla Merian: Pioneering female naturalist
In 1699, 110 years before Charles Darwin was born, natural history illustrator, Maria Sibylla Merian, journeyed to Suriname in South America to study and document in breathtaking detail the insects, plants, and animals she encountered there.
The result is one of the earliest works depicting metamorphosis in insects. Sumptuously illustrated with large and detailed, hand-coloured engravings showing the life cycle of insects and their relationship with local plants as food sources and habitat, it received international acclaim and changed how we understand the lives of insects.
This second edition copy is uniquely accessible for teaching due to the interleaved English translation of the printed Latin text, handwritten by renowned calligrapher, William Chinnery, in 1734.
![[Commonplace book with a Byronic connection and a portrait of Ada Byron (later Lady Lovelace)], Add.Ms. 439](/about/news/2024-rbsc-acquisition-highlights/_jcr_content/root/container/container_478394992__1191284144/image.coreimg.jpeg/1739494479177/lovelace-portrait-large.jpeg)
Celebrating Ada Lovelace –
a pioneering woman of STEM
- [Commonplace book belonging to J. H. Stamp, Ada Lovelace’s governess], Add.Ms. 438
- [Commonplace book with a Byronic connection and a portrait of Ada Byron (later Lady Lovelace)], Add.Ms. 439 (pictured)
Ada Lovelace, née Byron, was famous the moment she was born, as the daughter of Lord Byron.
Today, Ada Lovelace is a household name in the history of mathematics. Her original work was published as an appendix to her translation of Luigi Menabrea’s paper on her friend Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, an early prototype of what we would now call a computer.
The Library has purchased several items to complement this work, including two commonplace books - one with an early, hitherto unknown, portrait of Ada, and another with Lovelace’s childhood drawing of her cat, along with her personal copy of a mathematical treatise translated by Babbage.
This item was acquired with funds from the Bruce Williams Fund for the Library.
“...a fascinating insight – including a previously unknown portrait – into the early life of this heroine of STEM.” – Dr Olivia Murphy
First French editions of iconic Sci-Fi stories
- H.G. Wells & Roberto Alvim Corrêa, La guerre des mondes, 1906; SF W454 J14 TF 2 (pictured)
- H.G. Wells & Martin van Maële, Les premiers hommes dans la lune, 1901, SF W454 J19 TF 1
Last year, the Library added two fine copies of rare, illustrated first French editions of H.G. Wells’ works to the Science Fiction collection: Les premiers hommes dans la lune (The first men in the moon) and La guerre des mondes (The war of the worlds).
La guerre des mondes was the first illustrated edition of The War of the Worlds, printed in France in 1906. Only 500 copies were printed in this edition, each signed by the Brazilian artist, Corrêa.
Les premiers hommes dans la lune was printed in 1901, the same year as the English first edition. It features both colour and black and white illustrations by Van Maële.
These books were acquired with funds from the A & M Gilbert and Sir John Seymour Proud bequest funds.
Exporting luxury textiles in early 20th century China
Wo Sang (和生), located in Guangzhou (广州; 廣州), China, was a prominent textile manufacturer, and played a significant role in the trade between China and the west.
This rare sample book features 40 hand-embroidered shawl patterns, with beautiful floral and animal motifs, as well as 32 silk colour swatches. It provides valuable insights into the production and distribution of luxury textiles during this period and is a testament to the enduring appeal of silk and the cultural heritage of Guangzhou.
Mid-19th century French geometric teaching set
This item, designed by French civil engineer Louis Dupin is a teaching kit used in the study of geometry, perspective drawing, stone-cutting and mineralogy. It was part of the 19th century French didactic tradition that advocated for hands-on practice, and development of visual and spatial intuition.
Each of the geometric shapes in this set was created from cardboard with an imitation wood finish. It is made up of both regular and irregular polyhedrons, which can be used to make up to 120 different shapes. Each shape is printed with the geometric properties and formulas for each element. The set is neatly housed in a box in the shape of a book.
This item was acquired with funds from the W S and Annie E Deane Library Fund.
One of the earliest Chinese astronomy textbooks
天經或斄 (Tenkei wakumon (Japanese); Tianjing huowen (Chinese); Some questions about astronomy) is a rare copy of the first edition printed in Edo (now Tokyo), with main text in classical Chinese edited and supplemented by Nishikawa Seiky≦ (西川正慡) in Japanese.
Historically significant for astronomy and geography, this title includes a map of the southern hemisphere with a distinctly Australian shape attached to a southern continent. The 1672 Chinese original edition did not seem to have survived, making this 18th-century Japanese edition the oldest extant version. Sixty-seven copies of this first Japanese edition have been identified and located around the world.
These items were acquired with funds from the Bequest of Dr M J Morrissey in honour of Professor Arthur Lindsay Sadler.
Diffinitioni bellissime di geometria
This 1585 volume contains a rare geometrical treatise by Giovanni Scala, an Italian mathematician who worked in Rome. Only one other copy of this work, Diffinitioni bellisime di geometria (Beautiful definitions of geometry), is known.
It is illustrated throughout with very fine geometrical, technical and architectural drawings including a working volvelle – a paper wheel with rotating parts, considered an early example of a paper analogue computer.
Very little is known of Scala, so this manuscript is a valuable source for future research into understanding how geometry developed in the Renaissance and Early Modern period.
This item was acquired with funds from the W S and Annie E Deane Library Fund.
A letter and postcard from Albert Einstein
This signed letter from Albert Einstein to University of Sydney Applied Mathematics Professor K E Bullen is a piece of University of Sydney history. The letter also complements works by both Einstein and Bullen within the significant collection of mathematical and scientific works held in Rare Books and Special Collections.
In the letter dated November 1948, Einstein writes that while he was fond of experimental work, his contributions had been accomplished with theoretical methods, and his “main interest has always been the unification and simplification of the logical fundament of physics”.
This item was acquired with funds from the W S and Annie E Deane Library Fund.
Vesalius: the father of anatomy
Vesalius was just 29 years old when this book, considered one of the most influential works in the history of western medicine, was published.
De humani corporis fabrica libri septem (aka The Fabrica) sparked a great leap forward in the understanding of human anatomy and today Vesalius is known as the ‘Father of Anatomy’. The Fabrica contains over 250 high quality illustrations, attributed to the studio of the great Renaissance artist, Titian.
The University of Sydney Library copy is in the original, deluxe, 16th century German binding and the extensive annotations throughout, by the first owner, physician Caspar Neefe, provide significant opportunity for research into how Vesalius’ work was received by his contemporaries.
This item was acquired in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Fisher Library with funds from the Margaret Lundie Fund and the Beatrice & Andrew Osborn Book Fund.
![Hartmann Schedel, Registrum huius operis Libri cronicarum cu[m] figuris et ymag[in]ibus ab inicio mu[n]di., 1493, Incunabula 93.4](/about/news/2024-rbsc-acquisition-highlights/_jcr_content/root/container/container_478394992_/image_246001478.coreimg.jpeg/1739494536974/nurembergchronicle-602-large.jpeg)
Shakespeare unbound: Fragments from the Folios
- William Shakespeare, Three tragedies from the second folio, 1632: Tragedy of Anthony, and Cleopatra; Tragedie of King Lear; Tragedy of Othello, the moore of Venice, Deane STC 22274
- William Shakespeare, Three comedies from the second folio, 1632: As you like it; Taming of the shrew; All’s well, that ends well, Deane STC 22274
- William Shakespeare, Henry IV, pt 1; Henry IV, pt 2; Henry V; Henry VIII, from the third folio, 1664, Deane Wing S2914 (pictured)
In the centuries since the publication of William Shakespeare’s First Folio in 1623, the sale of parts (or fragments) of the four Folios became increasingly popular.
Some sought them to repair damaged folios or to create a new complete Folio from disparate parts, whilst others were eager to obtain even a single leaf to claim ownership of a piece of such an indelibly iconic work of literature.
Shakespeare Folio fragments are now increasingly the focus of research interest for what they can reveal about the international book trade, forgeries and authenticity, and how readers have interacted with these profoundly influential works over the centuries.
These items were acquired with funds from the W S and Annie E Deane Library Fund and the W H & Elizabeth M Deane Library Fund.
Early printed books with groundbreaking typography and illustrations
- Francesco Colonna, Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, ubi humana omnia non nisi somnium esse docet, 1499, Incunabula 99.2
- Hartmann Schedel, Registrum huius operis Libri cronicarum cu[m] figuris et ymag[in]ibus ab inicio mu[n]di., 1493, Incunabula 93.4 (pictured)
These two 15th century incunabula demonstrate the innovative typography and lavish woodblock illustrations synonymous with the great early Western printed works.
Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (1499) follows the story of Poliphilo, searching for his love Polia. It is considered one of the most beautifully printed incunabula and is one of the first examples of the Roman typeface.
The Nuremberg Chronicle (1493) is an illustrated encyclopedia consisting of world historical accounts and biblical paraphrase. It has many of the first illustrations of major cities in Europe and the Near East and features 645 original woodcut illustrations.
Hypnerotomachia Poliphili was acquired with funds from the John Alan and Marcelle Gilbert Fund, and the Nuremberg Chronicle was acquired with funds from the Eric and Thelma Edwards Library Fund.
A glimpse into the poet’s process
This collection of five annotated poems was written while Sylvia Plath was at Smith College and includes significant authorial correction.
Comments and queries by Evelyn Page, Instructor in English at Smith College, and Plath’s extensive responses and corrections, beautifully illustrate Plath’s developing voice as a young writer.
Later versions of two of these poems were published posthumously in her husband, Ted Hughes’, edition of Plath’s Collected Poems.
This item was acquired with funds from the Pamela Winifrid Green Library Bequest.
Contact
For enquiries about the Library's Books and Special Collections, please email: cultural.collections@usyd.libanswers.com.