Documents and items of special collections of Polish academic libraries constitute the treasure of our national heritage as well as European and world cultural legacy. The issues such as acquisition profile of University Library Art Collection in Torun, the origin and distinctive character of bookplates collection were presented in the article. The analysis of archival materials of The University Library in Torun allowed to determine provenance of English bookplates collection. The remarkable, outstanding British artist Eric Gill (1882–1940) and his artistic attitude was portrayed. He was the author of the Miriam Rothchild bookplate (1932) which is currently held in Art Collection of University Library in Torun as well as Victoria & Albert Museum in London. A preliminary search of library and museum holdings in Poland, USA and Great Britain showed that only The Art Collection of University Library in Torun and Victoria & Albert Museum in London possess the Miriam Rothschild bookplate of E. Gill in their holdings. The literature research covering E. Gill's oeuvre showed that the bookplate in question is very occasionally presented and it has never been discussed. For that reason the attempt has been made to characterize modes of artistic expression and stylistic onces of the bookplate as well as E. Gill's attitude to nature.
The article presents a book on the most precious old books from the special collections of the Library of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz. The book, written by the long-time director and the founder of the Library, gives the reader a unique opportunity to learn of precious prints usually hidden from their eyes, from printing houses located in such cities as Basel, Maintz or Antwerp. The book not only records the most unique items from the Library's collection, but also describes their origins, their distinctive features and presents some of their most interesting pages.
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