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Rare Books

Building on the foundation provided by the DeGolyer family, the rare book includes more than 150,000 rare and historically significant printed books, with strengths in:

• Early voyages and exploration
• Western Americana
• History of science, technology, and business
• Book arts
• English and American literature

One of the earliest and most significant books in the collection is the Latin edition of the “Christopher Columbus Letter,” printed in Rome in 1493. Important in its own right, it is also emblematic of the era. Much of the early collecting at DeGolyer Library was inspired by “The Spanish Southwest, 1542–1794,” a bibliography by Henry Wagner. The library holds many of the key works listed in the bibliography, including those by Hernando Cortés, Francisco López de Gómara, Bernal Díaz del Castillo, Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and Gaspar Pérez de Villagrá.

Documenting the American West

As settlers expanded westward after the Louisiana Purchase, literature emerged documenting the journey. The standard guide to this material is “The Plains & the Rockies: A Critical Bibliography of Exploration, Adventure and Travel in the American West, 1800–1865.” DeGolyer Library holds nearly 90% of the 400 works listed.

In addition to familiar names like Lewis and Clark, Zebulon Pike, and Washington Irving, the library preserves lesser-known accounts such as “Narrative of the Adventures of Zenas Leonard” (Clearfield, Pa., 1839).

Everyday Publications

DeGolyer Library’s collection is distinctive because of our commitment to collecting everyday publications. These include:

• Almanacs, cookbooks, and pamphlets
• Broadsides and promotional materials
• Laws and religious tracts
• Proceedings of social, fraternal, and educational institutions
• Homespun poetry and fiction

These works document life across the American West, from the extraordinary to the everyday. These humble publications offer invaluable insights and form a body of literature that is as historically significant as the rarest items in our collection.

Ephemera

Ephemera includes materials meant to be used and thrown away. Some ephemeral collections, such as the Rowe-Barr Collection of Texas Currency, include items of great rarity. Other collections are accumulations of ordinary items. Examples of ephemera include:

• Broadsides and brochures.
• Menus, invitations, and programs.
• Comic books, greeting cards, and catalogs.
• Calendars, pamphlets, and tickets.