Thomas fisher rare book library, university of toronto. Learn more about rare book and special collections librarians. Over the next two weeks a team of librarians are going through the 800,000 books at university of torontos thomas fisher rare book library. Thomas fisher rare book library videos and latest news articles. Situated within robarts library at the university of toronto, over 700,000 volumes. They have collections from william morris kelmscott press. Thomas fisher rare book library, university of toronto, toronto, on. U of ts thomas fisher rare book library has acquired a 1507 copy of the golden legend, making it the oldest book printed in english at the. In all circumstances any reproductions must be credited to rare books and special collections, the university of sydney library. The fisher, as its commonly called, is the largest rare book library in canada and its open to the public. Rare books and special collections includes early printed books from europe, australia, america, and asia. Among the collections items are the nuremberg chronicle 1493, shakespeares first folio 1623, newtons principia. Thomas fisher rare book library university of toronto libraries. Thomas fisher rare book university of toronto libraries.
This collection features approximately 4500 full page plates and other significant illustrations of human anatomy selected from the jason a. What is a rare book and special collections librarian and. As the responses from our many clients over the years demonstrates, we strive to provide interested collectors with the very finest rare books and other items of value at the most competitive prices. Leonard cohen archives live on at u of t library the star. The thomas fisher rare book library, canadas largest, is essential for scholars of many disciplines who seek the broadest collection of materials relevant to their research. Dec 21, 2017 5 rare books in the national librarys rare collection. Jan 27, 2020 the thomas fisher rare book library is the largest repository of publicly accessible rare books and manuscripts in canada. We also collect highquality facsimiles, examples of fine printing and binding and modern limited editions. Included in our holdings are pre20 university of sydney higher degree theses and university of sydney publications. Leonards manuscripts at thomas fisher rare book library.
Stepping into the library for the first time a few weeks ago was not unlike stepping into a cathedral. Sep 20, 2016 u of ts thomas fisher rare book library has acquired a 1507 copy of the golden legend, making it the oldest book printed in english at the library and one of the oldest books in english in canada. Unveiling the riches of the thomas fisher rare book librarys. The library is named in honour of thomas fisher 17921874, who immigrated from yorkshire, settled along the humber river in 1822, and became a successful merchant. A rare book stores last chapter the globe and mail. Institution page template, intended for use in institution field of artwork and photograph template to provide additional information and links for glam galleries, libraries, archives, and museums institutions which hold the artworks. The library is also home to the university archives which, in addition to institutional records, also contains the papers of many important canadian literary figures including margaret atwood and leonard cohen. From relatively modest beginnings, it has grown into one of the finest collections of. It holds approximately 700,000 volumes and 3,500 linear metres of. Heritage u of t is a digital collection of archival records, photographs, books, maps, drawings, and sound and moving image files chronicling the university of torontos rich history. U of ts been very kind to me over the years and when i.
If you wish to reproduce any images of rare books and special collections material in publications or on the internet please contact rare books and special collections for permission. About us t he thomas fisher rare book library houses the department of rare books and special collections including books, manuscripts and other materials,and the university of toronto archives and records management services utarms, which holds the official records of the university. The fisher rare book library will be holding a small press fair on saturday september 7, 20. An overdue library inventory at u of t finds some lost treasures the. Hours and location thomas fisher rare book library.
Terry belanger, founding director of the rare book school at the university of virginia, wrote a great article on rare book librarians. An overdue library inventory at u of t finds some lost. Thomas fisher rare book library, 120 st george, toronto, ontario m5s 1a5. The thomas fisher rare book library is a library in the university of toronto, constituting the largest repository of publicly accessible rare books and. The fisher library houses the department of rare books and special collections. Thomas fisher rare book library toronto, ontario atlas. Current exhibition thomas fisher rare book library. A book of family records and personal reminiscences alla serenis.
A book in which many prints, engravings or other illustrations have been added after publication, either professionally or by a private owner. Thomas fisher rare book library, university of toronto home. Thomas fisher rare book library university of toronto. All these items are sitting readily and freely accessible to the public at the university of torontos thomas fisher rare book library, an important cultural institution that many torontonians know little about. The thomas fisher rare book library houses the department of rare books. The thomas fisher rare book library is located at the northwest corner of st. The thomas fisher rare book library is the largest repository of publicly accessible rare books and manuscripts in canada. The department of rare books and special collections and the university archives didnt have a permanent home until 1973 when the thomas fisher rare book library was opened. What bibliophile hasnt dreamed of communing with a first edition of their favorite historic text. U of ts thomas fisher rare book library houses a collection of rare historical books and artifacts. Pages in category rare book libraries the following 27 pages are in this category, out of 27 total. U of ts been very kind to me over the years and when i really needed it.
Although more than 20 years old, the article still has great information. Today, u of ts thomas fisher rare book library is the repository for the influential canadian artists papers. Hannah and academy of medicine collections in the history of medicine at the thomas fisher rare book library, university of toronto. Kevin takes us on a tour of the thomas fisher rare book library building at u of t, looking at reads that are over 500 years old.
The resources of the thomas fisher rare book library may be used by all scholars and researchers, whether or not they are members of the university of toronto community. The singer donated boxes of his correspondence and papers to the library in 2003, almost 100 boxes in total. One of canadas most incredible rare book collections holds hundreds of thousands of gorgeous tomes that the general public can touch. Apr 15, 2016 the fisher, as its commonly called, is the largest rare book library in canada and its open to the public. Library and archives canadas lac rare book collection has roots in many different places, including various federal institutions and the shelves of the nations book collectors. A collection of collections, originating from one of the most extensive private libraries of materials related to the bahai faith, includes thousands of books, letters, newspaper clippings, photographs and early bahai publications from many countries and in various languages, from urdu to japanese to greenlandic. Behind the scenes at torontos thomas fisher rare book library. In the interest of helping to limit the impact and spread of covid19, the free library of philadelphia is closed. New resources are being sought to continue to build the legacy of the thomas fisher rare book library for future generations of students and scholars. To ensure they are preserved well, not just for the current generation. George and harbord streets, immediately to the south of the main university library, robarts. U of ts thomas fisher rare book library now has one of. Just in time for a new crop of students, the university of torontos thomas fisher rare book library is undertaking a complete inventory of its books, scrolls and manuscripts. The collection spans religious manuscripts from the middle ages to a modern edition of romeo and juliet thats fit for a doll u of t news visited the thomas fisher rare book library and librarian david fernandez to learn more about seven of these tiny treasures.
The thomas fisher rare book library houses the department of rare books and special collections including books, manuscripts and other materials. Thomas fisher rare book library college library in university. It is named in honour of thomas fisher 17921874, who came from yorkshire to upper canada in 1821 and settled by the humber river. You can encounter some of the worlds oldest books at the. Over the next two weeks a team of librarians are going through the 800000 books at university of torontos thomas fisher rare book library. The thomas fisher rare book library is the largest rare book library in canada, holding over 800,000 books and 6,000 linear metres of manuscript material toronto. See 29 photos and 2 tips from 174 visitors to thomas fisher rare book library. Forgotten treasures turn up in u of t rare book library. Aug 25, 2017 over the next two weeks a team of librarians are going through the 800,000 books at university of torontos thomas fisher rare book library. Discover thomas fisher rare book library in toronto, ontario. The thomas fisher rare book library, canadas largest, is essential for scholars of many disciplines who seek. The thomas fisher rare book library houses the department of rare books and. Well, as long as you can get to the thomas fisher rare book library in toronto, that dream is in reachalong with 700,000 other rare, historic texts that are available to the public on request.
Library trends, summer 2003 focused on special collections. A university of toronto library card is not necessary to access the collections, but onsite registration is required. Media in category thomas fisher rare book library the following 30 files are in this category, out of 30 total. Nov 11, 2016 today, u of ts thomas fisher rare book library is the repository for the influential canadian artists papers. Nov 16, 2016 leonard cohen archives live on at u of t library. University of toronto libraries has a few thousand mini titles some even smaller than a paperclip. It will feature many of the presses that are featured in the current exhibition a death greatly exagg. Stream tracks and playlists from fisher rare book library on your desktop or mobile device. Heritage u of t is a digital collection of archival records, photographs, books, maps, drawings, and sound and moving image files chronicling the university of torontos rich. Associate chief librarian for special collections and director, thomas fisher rare book library. The thomas fisher rare book library is a library in the university of toronto, constituting the largest repository of publicly accessible rare books and manuscripts in canada. Sep 28, 2010 learn more about rare book and special collections librarians.