The John Wilson Special Collections is like a time machine for books. Here you can see how books have changed from ancient clay tablets to fancy Bibles and even some of the earliest printed books. Dive into this remarkable collection at Multnomah County Library and explore it for yourself!
The John Wilson Special Collections includes more than 11,000 titles. Here are some must see items:
1. A clay tablet that is about ~4,000 years old
In April of 1916, Library Director Mary Frances Isom received a Sumerian cuneiform tablet. It was dated 2350 BC, and came along with a short letter from its donor, C.E.S. Wood. The text on the tablet is a receipt for oil and other products.
2. 13th century bible
The oldest book in the collection is a pocket bible from 13th century France. John Wilson purchased this bible for 21 pounds and it includes his bookplate on the inner cover. The bible is made from sheets of vellum, and includes intricate red and blue penwork.
3. Nuremberg Chronicle
The Liber Chronicarum (Book of Chronicles) is a one volume encyclopedia printed in Nuremberg, Germany in 1493. It is divided into seven parts. The first five sections recount biblical events. The sixth part depicts the contemporary world, and the seventh focuses on the Last Judgment. It is filled with illustrations made with woodblock prints.
4. Kelmscott Chaucer
In 1896, Kelmscott Press printed The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer. It is bound in white pigskin with oak boards and includes detailed woodblock illustrations.
The John Wilson Special Collections is supported by gifts to The Library Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to our library's leadership, innovation and reach through private support.