This album amicorum by Jacoba Cornelia Bolten (1805-1843) is a typical example of a women's album from the 19th century: a small box in book form in which verses and wishes in Dutch, French and German are written on loose leaves by family members and acquaintances. In addition, the album often contains examples of home crafts: embroideries, needlesticks, drawings, watercolors, hairpieces, band braids and whatnot.

Signature: KB KW 79 L 40

In this album amicorum of the Hague druggist and man of letters Samuel Johannes van den Bergh (1814-1868) we find texts by great Dutch men of letters. Think of Tollens, Wilthuys, Hofdijk and Immerzeel, but also the Danish fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. It is a fine example of a friendship book from the 19th century.

Signature: KB KW 133 M 117

This colorful notebook was made in Amsterdam around 1950 by the unknown writer couple Willy & Luc. The richly illustrated booklet describes the curious mores and habits of the Dutch in a comical manner.

Signature: KB KW 79 H 47

This work contains words that can be perceived as insulting, discriminatory or racist. Read the disclaimer to see how the KB handles these types of texts.

The KB, National Library of the Netherlands, is set to build an innovative, new book repository in which the National Library will store the Netherlands’ written heritage safely and sustainably for the foreseeable future.

In the children's book Koddige avonturen van den vos en den ooievaar (The droll adventures of the fox and the stork) children learn how to deal with each other. The last sentence of the book is 'What you do not want to happen to you, do not do to others'! and that is not a coincidence. The book was published in 1859 by Gebroeders Van der Post.

Signature: KW Ki 3230

Wat is er op de kermis te zien? (What is there to see at the fair?) is a rare picture book from the 19th century. It contains 16 coloured pictures about the funfair. These pictures take up a whole page. It is actually 2 books in one. At the back, you will find a unique sequel. This is called Nog iets van de kermis in prentverbeeldingen (Another thing about the funfair in prints).

Signature: KW 1088 E 30

This work contains words that can be perceived as insulting, discriminatory or racist. Read the disclaimer to see how the KB handles these types of texts.

The Egmond Gospels are a parchment book from the 9th century. It is famous because it contains a picture of Count Dirk and Countess Hildegard of 'Holland'. They had this picture put in around the year 975. More than 1000 years later, Dirk and Hildegard are the oldest Dutch people of whom a picture exists.

Signature: KW 76 F 1

The Atlas of the Amsterdam merchant Dirk van der Hagen contains more than 400 maps and prints from all parts of the world. It is an atlas factice. That means that the atlas is compiled from maps, prints, engravings and other material.

Signature: KW 1049 B 10 [-13]

Le recueil des histoires de Troyes (The collection of stories from Troyes) is a very special book with 48 beautiful woodcuts. It was printed in Haarlem in 1486.

Signature: 78 D 48

Digital preservation is about keeping our digital collection accessible in the long term. Read more about this expertise of the KB.