About Rare Books and Special Collections

Books that are scarce and hard to find in the antiquarian trade or have some special feature -- as date of publication or number of copies printed; the autograph, book plate or annotations of a famous person, and other characteristics--are considered to be rare. The following are usually considered to be rare books: manuscripts, incunables (i.e., books printed between 1450 and 1500), books printed in Continental Europe before 1775, books printed in the British Isles before 1800, books printed in the U.S. before the early- and mid-19th century, limited editions including books printed by small or special presses, first editions of famous literary works and other texts, books in fine bindings, etc. A special collection also can include rare prints, drawings, maps and photographs, art objects, and a variety of other valuable collectibles.