Please Help Us Preserve Our Collection by Adopting a Book

Researchers from the Vassar community as well as visiting scholars come to the Special Collections Library regularly to examine items from our rich and diverse collection of rare books.  They gain insights about the books that can only be realized when they work with them in their original format.  Additionally, volumes from the collection are regularly used in the teaching of classes in disciplines ranging from Geography to Africana Studies to Education.  In order for others to continue to enjoy this same level of access, however, many books in the collection must be repaired and restored. 

The Adopt-a-Book Program is intended to encourage donor support as the Library endeavors to pursue conservation treatment for fragile and damaged items.  We hope that you will consider making a tax-deductible contribution that will enable us to preserve these volumes for Vassar's current and future scholars.  All donors will be recognized with special bookplates.  If you have questions about the program, feel free to contact the Associate Director of the Libraries for Special Collections Ronald Patkus at patkus@vassar.edu or 845-437-5798.

Subject Index:

All
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Art
Economics
Fashion
Fine Printing
Geography and Travel
History
Jewish Studies
Literature
Mathematics
Medieval Studies
Natural History
Religion
Women's History

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Geoffrey Chaucer, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed. London, 1542.  Adopted!

This volume of collected works is Vassar’s earliest by Chaucer. It is one of the so-called “blackletter folios,” so named for the heavy Gothic type that was used.

($1,800)

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The Athenian Gazette. London: Printed for John Dunton at the Raven in the Poultry, 1691. 2 vols.

This journal, which later became known as the Athenian Mercury, was published by John Dunton’s Athenian Society. Known for answering questions on a wide variety of topics, it marks an important point in the history of the English periodical press.

($4,275)

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Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu, Persian Letters. London: Printed for J. Tonson: and sold by Thomas Combes ... and James Lacy ..., 1722. 2 vols.

Montesquieu was an important early figure of the Enlightenment; his Persian Letters offers epistolary exchanges between two Persians traveling through France, and includes critiques of western politics and society. This is the first English edition of the work.

($3,800)

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Alexander Pope, The Dunciad, Variorum : with the Prolegomena of Scriblerus. London: Printed for A. Dod, 1729.  Adopted!

Pope was perhaps the most significant poet of his age, and The Dunciad was one of his greatest satires. The Dunciad, Variorum was based on the original Dunciad, but included additional material.

($725)

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Samuel Johnson, The Rambler. London: Printed for J. Payne and J. Bouquet, 1751. 2 vols.

One of the great serial publications of eighteenth century England, The Rambler appeared twice a week from 1750-1752. This first edition is a nice complement to our collection of Johnson dictionaries.

($4,500)

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Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass; Passage to India. [New York : J.S. Redfield and 3 others]; Washington, D.C. : [Sold by Walt Whitman], 1871.  Adopted!

Though many editions of Leaves of Grass appeared during Whitman’s lifetime, our copy of this classic work is especially prized because it features a handwritten inscription from the poet to his friend, the nature writer John Burroughs.

($725)