Rare Books, Manuscripts and Artifacts 

The Rare Books, Manuscripts and Artifacts collection contains materials demonstrating the various methods human beings have used to record their thoughts and knowledge, in the form of cuneiform tablets, a papyrus leaf, a leather scroll, illuminated manuscripts, Sanscrit on palm leaves, early printed works, etc. Other collections are the 1920's imprint first editions; the Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning books, manuscripts and artifacts; the Kate Greenaway collection; the Jaccaud presidential campaign pamphlets and books; a rare and contemporary Spanish Civil War Collection; an Abraham Lincoln collection; and the large Bayley/Walt Whitman collection of manuscripts, first and other editions of Leaves of Grass, over 500 books and many photographs.

The Collection also houses artifacts such as pre-Columbian pottery from Bolivia, Anasazi and Lower Mississippi culture pottery, Chinese and African artifacts, oriental carpets, chinaware, paintings, etc.