Brown University. Library. Special Collections

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The Special Collections of the Brown University Library contain more than 3,000,000 items, well over half the library’s total resources. Holdings range from Babylonian clay tablets and Egyptian papyri to current-day books, manuscripts, and ephemera. The unifying objective for all Special Collections holdings is their potential for supporting the curricular mission of the University and the research interests of the broader community of scholars. The collections, housed primarily in the John Hay Library, include some 400,000 monographs, 1,000,000 manuscripts, 500,000 pieces of sheet music, and 60,000 each of broadsides, photographs, prints, and postage stamps, plus over 1.5 million archival files and records. Among the most notable holdings are the world’s largest collection of American poetry and plays, one of the nation’s finest history of science collections, an exceptional collection of Lincolniana, and an internationally known collection on military history. There are also important collections of incunabula, collections devoted to the writings of major individual authors, and manuscript and archival collections that offer research opportunities in a wide variety of historical and literary subjects.

The approximately 300 separate collections have been accumulated over a span of almost 250 years. They fall into two general categories: books or other research materials originally included in the library’s general collections and later isolated because of value, age, rarity, fragility, historical interest, or potential for enhancement of a special collection; and collections or individual items donated or purchased with the intention of sustaining their unique qualities or separate identities.

From the guide to the Brown University Library Special Collections files, Brown University Library Special Collections Files, circa 1932-1986, (John Hay Library Special Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Swan Antarctic Collection (Brown University). The Bradford F. Swan Antarctic Collection in the John Hay Library, Brown University. Brown University, Brown University Library
referencedIn McLellan Lincoln Collection (Brown University). The Charles Woodberry McLellan Collection of Lincolniana : donated to Brown University in 1923 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Class of 1897, in memory of John Hay, Class of 1858, and since augmented by continuing gifts and purchases. Brown University, Brown University Library
referencedIn Mel B. Yoken Collection (Brown University). [The Mel B. Yoken Collection] : received from Mel B. Yoken : dedicated April 28, 2004. Brown University, Brown University Library
referencedIn Hanbury, William Allen, 1823-1898. Firework papers, 1856?-ca. 1890. Brown University, Brown University Library
referencedIn Miller Collection (Brown University). The Miller Collection of Wit and Humor : the gift of Bernard, Saul, and George Miller. Brown University, Brown University Library
creatorOf Ginzburg, Ralph. Letters, 1985, to Brown University Library, Special Collections. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn The Michael J. Ciaraldi Collection of Comic Books and Comic Art : donated by the collector, Mr. Michael Ciaraldi. Brown University, Brown University Library
creatorOf Leab, Daniel J. The Daniel J. Leab Collection of Books and Manuscripts by and about George Orwell. Brown University, Brown University Library
referencedIn Kirk Collection (Brown University). The Chester H. Kirk Collection on Alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous : donated to Brown University by Chester H. Kirk : dedicated October 31, 1995. Brown University, Brown University Library
referencedIn Sykes, Edgar L. Firework notes, ca. 1890-ca. 1892. Brown University, Brown University Library
referencedIn Aldrich Collection (Brown University). [The Lucy Truman Aldrich Collection of Rare Illustrated Children's Books : donated by her nephew, Mr. David Rockefeller]. Brown University, Brown University Library
creatorOf Brown University Library Special Collections files, Brown University Library Special Collections Files, circa 1932-1986 John Hay Library, Special Collections
referencedIn Katzoff Collection (Brown University). The Richard G. Katzoff Collection. Brown University, Brown University Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aldrich Collection (Brown University) corporateBody
associatedWith Brown University, John Hay Library of Rare Books and Special Collections. corporateBody
associatedWith Brown University. Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Ginzburg, Ralph. person
associatedWith Hanbury, William Allen, 1823-1898. person
associatedWith Katzoff Collection (Brown University) corporateBody
associatedWith Kirk Collection (Brown University) corporateBody
associatedWith McLellan Lincoln Collection (Brown University) corporateBody
associatedWith Mel B. Yoken Collection (Brown University) corporateBody
associatedWith Miller Collection (Brown University) corporateBody
associatedWith Swan Antarctic Collection (Brown University) corporateBody
associatedWith Sykes, Edgar L. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Information

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