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 early editions of Shakespeare, Newton and Copernicus, the College’s pre-1640 collection comprises the books of its Fellowship and traces the development of scholarship at Oxford and beyond. Yet despite their significance, many of these works remain largely unseen.
Will you help preserve this incredible collection for generations to come?
Transforming Access, Teaching and Preservation
Until recently the pre-1640 collection has been housed in the High Street Tower. While secure, the location is difficult to access and can only be visited by appointment. As a result, many students and academics pass through Brasenose unaware of the depth of material scholarship held here.
The College has therefore embarked upon a carefully considered project: to relocate the Rare Book Collection to a newly refurbished, ground-floor space at the centre of College life, alongside the Library.
The new space will be created within the Stocker Room, located at the foot of the main stairs to the Library. 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, enriching their studies through engagement with the physical book.
This is not simply a change of address. It is an important step forward in preservation standards. The new space will incorporate the appropriate temperature and humidity controls to provide the optimal environment for fragile materials, while minimising environmental impact. Bespoke conservation cabinets, developed in consultation with specialists, will create sealed microclimates tailored to the needs of early printed books.
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 stored 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 book plate is printed on archival-quality paper and inserted, not adhered, ensuring no damage to the volume.
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 Dr Julia Diamantis julia.diamantis@bnc.ox.ac.uk
Please contact us at the Development & Alumni Relations Office at donations@bnc.ox.ac.uk
