Rare Books
One of the greatest strengths of the Library is its outstanding historic collection. The emphasis in the collection is on mineralogy and palaeontology illustrating the development of geology as a science, especially in 19th Century Europe. This reference collection contains approximately 3,500 books mostly published after 1800, of which approximately two thirds are foreign. There are some 18th Century books and a few earlier works dating back to the 16th Century. Many copies are annotated by the 19th Century geologists who originally owned them.
If you would like to help in the conservation of these books please see our
Sponsor A Book page.