Collections

Special Collections contains over 450,000 printed works, numerous manuscript and archival collections, and an extensive collection of ephemera. Listed below are some of the highlights of our materials.

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• Item Spotlight
• Finding Materials

Did you Know...

• As their class gift to Michigan State University, the Class of 1959 purchased and donated to the MSU Libraries The London Gazette from its first issue, November 14, 1665 to May 2, 1727, 6,600 issues in all. Held in bound volumes in Special Collections as part of the European History and Culture Materials, the Gazette is considered the first newspaper in the world.
• The De Proprietatibus Rerum by Bartholomaeus Anglicus was written in the 13th century and is the second encyclopedia ever issued. Special Collections holds two editions of the work, Anton Koberger's Nuremberg edition of 1483, and the 1535 edition translated by John Trevisa and printed in London by Thomas Berthelet. Part of the European History and Culture Materials.
• In 2007 Special Collections hosted the Guild of Book Workers 100th Anniversary Exhibition featuring over 60 bindings all created by Guild members.