Print and Manuscript Collections
The collections of the Rare Books and Special Collections department of the Thomas Fisher Library are many and varied, reflecting the wide diversity of research conducted at the University of Toronto by its own faculty and students, visiting scholars, and the general public. Chronologically, the print and manuscript collections range from a 1789 B.C. Babylonian cuneiform tablet from Ur, to contemporary artists’ books.
In addition to the general rare book collections, the holdings of books and other printed material are organized in over one hundred special author or subject collections, focussing on fields as diverse as AIDS, Aristotle, Birdsall Bindings, Darwin, Aldous Huxley, Incunabula, Libretti, Petlice, Printed Ephemera and the Spanish Civil War.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10Collection of first and subsequent editions of the work of Francis Bacon (1561–1626) including critical works and commentaries, as well as Baconia dated before 1750. Consists of books.
Collection of various editions of The Satyricon, which is commonly attributed to Gaius Petronius Arbiter (27–66 CE), published since the fifteenth century, together with critical works. Consists of books, periodicals, and printed ephemera.
The collection comprises of medical texts and standard works from Frederick G. Banting’s (1891–1941) office. There are a number of runs of research journals. The collection also includes a few works on insulin which were directly related to Banting’s research. An exhibition catalogue that contains material from this collection is The Discovery of Insulin at the University of Toronto (1996). Consists of books and periodicals.
Collection of works by and about British philosopher and logician Bertrand Russell (1872–1970). Consists of books, photographs, posters, printed ephemera, and realia.
Collection of books from the office of Charles H. Best (1899–1978) at the Best Institute. The collection includes works on diabetes and related topics written by Best or presented to him, as well as four volumes of off-prints on heparin by Best and other researchers. Consists of books.
Collection of books bound by the firm of Birdsall & Son, Northampton, UK. Consists of books.
Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century literature, textbooks, children's books, and other materials that were once part of personal library of the Hon. Hewitt Bostock (1864–1930). Consists of books.
Collection of chapbooks, or "literatura de cordel," published in Brazil. Many of the titles are illustrated with woodcuts, otherwise known as “xilogravuras”. Consists of chapbooks.
Collection of English and British almanacs dated from 1632–1832, many of which were used as diaries or have notes added in manuscript. The almanacs belonged to the Palmer, Whalley, and Brough families, members of the Palmer and Whalley families having been successful rectors of Ecton, Northants from 1641–1849. Consists of almanacs.
Collection of works by and about Ezra pound (1885–1972) including first editions of his poetry, correspondence, and biographical material along with critical works. Consists of books.