Bibliophile works from the research collection

History of the collection:In 1983 it was decided to bring together in the Department of Special Collections the rare and valuable works of the 19th and 20th centuries that were scattered over the repositories. The collection is still growing by some 150 titles a year.
Size:The modern bibliophile works from the research collection amount to roughly 20,000 volumes.
Access:The titles have been entered in the alphabetical and systematical catalogues of the Koninklijke Bibliotheek. Moreover, there is a typographical catalogue for the works acquired before 1992. The OPAC is searchable by printer/publisher as well, and it contains detailed descriptions of Dutch bibliophile books from the period 1910-1940.
More information:
Paul van Capelleveen - 070-3140331
Jan Bos - 070-3140665

Description of the collection

The collection consists of bibliophile and private press editions, artists' books, large books of plates, works with special content, books with handcoloured illustrations, limited editions, and so-called 'hell'-books, that is to say prohibited books and erotica.
The modern bibliophile book is strongly represented. There are many books designed by the great innovators of Dutch typography from the period between the World Wars: A.A.M. Stols, J. van Krimpen, S.H. de Roos, J.F. van Royen en C. Nypels (the 'Big Five'), as well as editions by Piet Zwart and W. Sandberg. Many editions from the period after the Second World War have been transferred to the Special Collections, including editions of the Carlina Pers, the Kwadraatbladen by Steendrukkerij de Jong and work from the Sjaalmanpers and the Oude Degel (Eemnes). Although Dutch editions are the greatest in number, there are many foreign bibliophile editions, including works from the small French publisher Guy Lévis Mano, the English Vale Press, and the Berliner Handpresse. Some other collections from the 19th and 20th centuries have also been transferred to the Special Collections. They include the archival copies of virtually all editions published by Uitgeverij W.L. & J. Brusse, works by Gerrit Achterberg and L. Koopman's collection of French literature in special editions.

Literature

C. de Wolf. 'Negentiende en twintigste eeuw'. In: Nederlandse boeken uit eigen bezit. 's-Gravenhage 1982, p. 28-45.
C. de Wolf. 'Gedrukte werken uit de negentiende en twintigste eeuw'. In: Accoord CR. Red. K. Thomassen en C. de Wolf. 's-Gravenhage 1986, p. 130-150.
M. van Delft en C. de Wolf. 'Gedrukte werken uit de zeventiende tot de twintigste eeuw' en 'Enkele speciale collecties gedrukte werken'. In: Vriendschap in Vereniging. Red. M. van Delft, K. Thomassen en C. de Wolf. 's-Gravenhage 1988, p. 57-73 en 97-114.
M. van Delft. 'Zeldzame en kostbare werken van de negentiende en twintigste eeuw (ZKW)'. In: Zeldzaam & kostbaar. Red. A. Leerintveld en H. Porck. Den Haag 1992, p. 77-98.