Special Collections Overview

Since Bridwell Library opened in 1951, the library’s Special Collections department has developed to include approximately 50,000 printed items, historical manuscripts, and archives for Perkins School of Theology, Bridwell Library, and Methodist Studies. Strengths and current collecting interests focus on incunabula, Bibles, Reformation and Counter-Reformation, devotional literature, church history, theology, popular devotion and popular piety, Wesleyana and Methodistica, and archival documents. In addition, the Special Collections Reference Collection consists of modern publications which support the study of the rare and unique materials held by the department.  In the course of its first six decades, the Special Collections department also acquired materials in other areas of the humanities which are no longer being developed, but are still available for study.  These include archaeology, literature, philosophy, politics, and the book arts (fine press imprints, artists’ books, livres d’artiste, and miniature books).

Incunabula:  Printing in Europe before 1501

 

Bibles

 

Reformation and Counter-Reformation

 

Devotional Literature

 

Church History, Theology, Popular Devotion, and Popular Piety

 

Wesleyana and Methodistica

 

Archives

 

   Special Collections Reference Collection

 

   Bridwell Library Named Collections