The Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts holds approximately 35,000 volumes. The collection represents a broad range of material relating to the visual arts and cultural life in the United Kingdom and the former British Empire, dating from the fifteenth century to the present. Particular strengths include illustrated “color-plate” books from the renowned J. R. Abbey collection, drawing manuals, sporting books and manuscripts, early maps and atlases, early printed books by William Caxton and his contemporaries, private press and contemporary artists’ books, as well as archival and manuscript material relating to British artists, writers, and travelers of all periods.
Computerized cataloging of the Center's rare books and manuscripts is in progress. Access to records of works in the department is available in a number of resources: the Center’s collections search provides access to material from all of its departments, while Orbis—the Yale Libraries online catalog—enables a researcher to also explore the holdings of other special collections at Yale. The Yale Finding Aid Database provides detailed descriptions of the department’s archival collections, along with other archives at Yale.
The Study Room, for viewing rare books, manuscripts, prints‚ and drawings, is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. No appointment is necessary.
Contact the Department
Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts
Yale Center for British Art
1080 Chapel Street
P.O. Box 208280
New Haven, CT 06520-8280
+1 203 432 9613 fax
ycba.rarebooks@yale.edu