Rare books collection
Books are considered rare if they are printed before 1860, important in their field, are first editions or are collectible.
The collection includes over 200,000 printed books ranging in date from the 15th to 21st centuries.
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Featured collection
Alchemy
The collection of Professor John Read (1884-1963), professor of chemistry at St Andrews from 1923 to 1963. It comprises c. 350 printed items and some mss which are almost entirely devoted to alchemy and older chemistry texts. The printed books are nearly all pre-1851; there is one incunabulum (Goff M-551) and c. 150 pre-1701 items. Especially notable for first and early editions (14) of works by Michael Maier (1568-1662). Includes prints, engravings, woodcuts, emblem books and catalogues.
