Highlights from the Collection

This page will be changed frequently, often to coincide with the exhibition currently being shown in the Library. If you would like to view this exhibit, please contact the Rare Books Librarian.

In order to protect pieces such as this Captain John Smith map of Virginia from 1612 (click on it for a larger image), the Library has undergone an extraordinary renovation which began in August 2006. The roof was lifted, and the existing Loft transformed into a new space housing offices for the Archives, a conservation studio, and conservation-level storage space for the Archives and Rare Book and Manuscripts Collection.

The Archives and Rare Book and Manuscript Collection at Middle Temple are unique, and this project has ensured their continued survival for generations to come. It should be noted that this much-needed project could not have come about without the generosity of the Benchers, who graciously agreed to approve the funding required for this massive project.

One of the more interesting aspects to the collection is the provenance of many of the books. Former owners include John Donne, Ben Jonson, William Wade, Edward Gwynn, William Petyt, and Joseph Fenton, just to name a few. Many books in the collection show evidence of armorial bindings, such as this example to the left. The book originally belonged to Charles of Valois (1573-1650), the natural son of Charles IX. It is Alberico Gentili's De armis Romanis libri duo, printed in Hanover in 1612.

Other books in the collection with interesting provenance include the book to the left, which used to belong to Konrad Peutinger (1465-1546/7), a German noble who amassed a considerably important book collection. The book has numerous marginal manuscript annotations in his hand, including this fine example of a manicule. The book also has his beautiful colour bookplate, showing the head and shoulders of a man vested, wearing a turned-up hat, charged with three escallops, and bearing an ostrich plume. Click on it to view larger. The book is the Catholic Church's Sextus liber, printed in Lyon in 1515. 

Last but not least is this colour bookplate, which can be found in Andre Tiraqueau's Commentarii, de nobilitate, et iure primigeniorum, printed in Leiden in 1559. The book originally belonged to Stadtbibliothek Augsburg (the public library of Augsburg), as evidenced by the bookplate. As with the Peutinger book, this is a very early example not only of bookplates, but of hand-coloured bookplates.

Any of these books can be consulted. Contact the Rare Books Librarian to arrange a viewing.