Special Collections at MSEL in German Studies

The Sheridan Libraries of the Johns Hopkins University hold a treasure trove of rare books including incunabula, medieval manuscripts, fine press books, historical manuscript collections, and other special materials.
 
The Special Collections Department houses these materials because of their scarcity, fragility, or value. However, they are valuable and unique resources for research, and are not to be overlooked in any field of study.
 
 How to Find Old Books: a brief guide
 
The department is comprised of 5 units  in 3 different locations.

• Eisenhower Rare Book Collection
• The John Work Garrett Library
• The George Peabody Library
• The Historical Manuscripts Collection
• The Ferdinand Hamburger, Jr.Archives
  

Collections and items of particular  interest in German Studies include:

• Kurrelmeyer Collection : its greatest strength is in the works of Wieland, with all important editions, but there are also notable groups of Goethe and Heine first editions. Also includes manuscripts, especially letters of major writers, and several authors who are not so well known
• Collitz Collection : supplements the Kurrelmeyer collection, and includes more than 20 different editions of Goethe's Faust and a particularly interesting group of versions of Reynard the Fox
• German theater : covers the period 1880 to 1934 and is nearly comprehensive. There are more than 3500 plays with examples of the most important styles: Expressionism, Naturalism and New Objectivity, among others.
• Flugschriften : several very rare and important pamphlets from Reformation Germany.
• Avant-garde periodicals of the 19th and 20th centuries 
• Natural History Collections
• Incunabula and Early Printing
• Hutzler Collection of EconomicClassics
• Voyages and Travel
  

Special Collections in German Studies in North American Libraries
Find out what's in other US research libraries.

Classes can be scheduled in Special Collections in the Eisenhower or George Peabody Libraries, to look at rare books and manuscripts in the context of a seminar. Contact the Librarian for the Department.
 
Current Exhibitions at the Sheridan Libraries, the Johns Hopkins University.