Special Collections and University Archives books | University Libraries

A stack of rare books with a pair of cotton gloves.

Special Collections and University Archives books reflect university history, or fall into three main categories: Nevada and the Great Basin, Book Arts, and rare books. Like all other Special Collections and University Archives materials, these items do not circulate and must be used in the Reading Room.

The original collection was acquired through transfer from other areas of the library and has grown through the support of generous donors, such as Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Griffen in memory of their daughter, Gloria Griffen Cline and the Estate of Edgar J. Marston. The Book Arts collection is primarily supported by the Dorothy Lazzorone Endowment for Special Collections.

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Collections

Black and white photograph of three people dressed in miners' clothing holding mining tools

Nevada and the Great Basin

The Special Collections Department actively collects books written about Nevada, particularly the part of the state north of Goldfield. The collection also includes a large number of books relating to Southern Nevada and areas outside the state but contiguous to Northern Nevada, especially the Great Basin and the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Northern California mining history is closely related to early Nevada mining, and is well represented in the collection. Books in the collection cover the history, geology, agriculture, industries, cultures, archaeology, and politics of the geographical area. Oral history transcripts, memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, family histories and other personal accounts are especially valuable for social history research. In addition, Special Collections subscribes to journals, magazines, newsletters, and newspapers published in and about Northern Nevada, and collects directories and other locally-published reference materials.

A rare book opened on top of another rare book

Rare Books

Many of the books in Special Collections and University Archives are rare and/or valuable, for one of several reasons: limited edition, scarcity, publication date, special printing, special illustrations or binding, or its history (an inscription by an author or to a historical figure, from the library of someone prominent). Other rare books include illuminated manuscripts, Shakespeare folios, and several books from the 15th century. Some, but not all of the rare books are also a part of the Book Arts Collection.

Book Arts

This collection contains materials on the history and development of printing along with related arts such as book design, papermaking, typography, and illustration. The collection includes an extensive number of books which exemplify the history of printing and publications of contemporary printers, produced in limited editions. Many of the contemporary books are examples of fine printing on hand presses, or letterpress publications. Others are handmade artists' books, or works of art in the form of a book, sometimes taking unique 3-dimensional forms, sometimes hand printed as a collection of loose pages in a box or folio.

Documenting the history of book arts

The Book Arts Collection in the Special Collections Department contains books documenting the history and development of printing, materials that exemplify the contemporary art and craft of fine bookmaking, and books dealing specifically with the various aspects of book design and production. The collection includes printed books from the 15th-20th centuries, including works printed by the early European masters of the craft. Contemporary fine bookmaking is represented by an extensive collection of books produced by presses throughout the United States and Europe. This part of the collection includes traditional letterpress books with classical typographic design and illustration, along with more avant-garde, non-traditional work and artists' books. The collection provides a wide range of books representing the work of significant presses, designers, typographers, and illustrators, in an effort to give students and researchers the best examples of the contemporary art and craft of bookmaking.

Design and production

Books dealing with the design and production aspects of bookmaking can be found in the collection. These deal with subjects such as book design, printing technique and processes, typography, bookbinding, illustration, papermaking, paper decoration, letterforms, and calligraphy. The Book Arts Collection supports instruction and research. The collection is used extensively in the teaching of the book arts classes which are part of the Art Department curriculum and taught at the Black Rock Press. The materials are also used by the Black Rock Press for demonstrations, workshops, tours, and exhibitions. Classes in history, English, and journalism also use the collection for study and research.

Finding the books

Information about the books can be found in the library's online catalog. Books can be located by subject (e.g., printing--history, type and typefounding, book design), and also by title, author, specific press, printer, designer, bookbinder, and typeface. In-depth information and access to the collection is available upon request.