The Rare Book Collection
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For over five centuries, Brasenose College has safeguarded works that shaped intellectual history. From medieval manuscripts to the writings of Thomas Hobbes, Albrecht Dürer, Ben Jonson and John Donne. Numbering more than 2,500 items, including 83 incunabula (books printed before 1501), the College’s collection of rare books represents an important resource for the study of early academic books. The earliest volume dates from 1470, and the Collection contains notable editions of scientific and historical texts printed during the 16th century and up to 1640.
Among its treasures are early printed works by Euclid and Aristotle from the late fifteenth century, a second edition of Copernicus’s heliocentric arguments, and one of the rare surviving copies of Shakespeare’s Third Folio. Many of the books of this pre-1640 Collection were left to the College by its Fellows and students and, as such, trace the development of scholarship at Oxford. These volumes are not merely historical artefacts; they are witnesses to revolutions in thought.
Transforming Access, Teaching and Preservation
The pre-1640 Collection has been housed in the High Street Tower since it was built. Some will have memories of this room with its impressive bolted door and shelves of leather-bound tomes, set at the top of a narrow spiral staircase. Whilst charming, the Collection is awkward to reach and, despite best efforts, the room has been increasingly affected by climatic changes which risk future damage to the Collection. Keeping them there is no longer sustainable.
With the encouragement of the Librarians, the College has therefore embarked upon a carefully considered project to relocate the Collection to a newly refurbished, ground-floor space at the centre of College life, alongside the Library.
The new space will be created from the Stocker Room, located at the foot of the main stairs to the Library in a very central spot. Designed both as a dedicated reading room for the Collection and as a flexible teaching space, it will allow students and researchers to work directly with original early printed texts with the support of the Librarians.
This is not simply a change of location. It is a crucial and necessary step for the Collection going forward. The new space will provide the optimal environment for fragile materials, while minimising environmental impact. Bespoke conservation cabinets, developed in consultation with specialists, will provide a stable internal environment while allowing full visibility of the volumes.
The intention is not only to preserve, though this remains essential. It is also to encourage greater use of the collection, enabling students and researchers to explore it more easily, so the Collection can continue to inform research across disciplines.
By bringing the Collection into the centre of College life, the College seeks to uphold its enduring responsibility for the care and use of its intellectual heritage.
Will you help preserve this Collection?
By supporting the preservation and relocation of the College’s collection of pre-1640 books with a gift of £3,000 (or £2,400+Gift Aid), your contribution will be recognised with a special dedication on a bookplate permanently housed within one of one hundred books carefully selected volumes of the Collection.
Those who take part will be welcome to join a special gathering to mark the opening of the new space.
Be a physical part of the history of Brasenose by donating to this unique project today.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you would like to give to this fund you can do so by following the link here. By giving a gift of £3,000 (or £2,400+Gift Aid), your contribution will be recognised with a special dedication on a bookplate permanently stored within one of only one hundred books carefully selected volumes of the Collection.
Volumes remain part of the College’s Special Collections and are subject to standard access procedures. Viewing is available by appointment in accordance with Library policy.
To preserve fairness and conservation standards, the College allocates volumes carefully and cannot guarantee specific titles. A curated list of suitable volumes has been selected. Allocation is confirmed once the gift is received, ensuring conservation suitability and fairness.
The bookplate is printed on archival-quality paper and inserted, not adhered, ensuring no damage to the volume. In addition, your dedication will form part of the volume’s catalogue entry, becoming a permanent part of its history.
We are very happy to accommodate anonymous dedications.
Very much so! It is important that this project is completed to the best possible specification. Please reach out to the Development team on donations@bnc.ox.ac.uk
Please contact us at the Development & Alumni Relations Office at donations@bnc.ox.ac.uk
