Our special collections include a wide variety of rare and unique items: books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets and broadsides, maps, and manuscripts. Chronologically, our holdings range from about one dozen incunables (books published during the first half-century of printing) to signed first editions of the Harry Potter novels. Among our strengths are New York City directories and 18th- and 19th-century travel narratives. Other highlights include the gothic novels found in the Hammond Collection, works on alchemy in the Winthrop Collection, writings on art and theater among the volumes in the Sharaff-Sze Collection, and Italian language books from Mozart's librettist in the Da Ponte Collection.The Library also holds some manuscript materials: its own institutional archives (of which the first and second charging ledgers are part); correspondence, and other items, chiefly from the Goodhue, Bowne, and Harrison families; as well as literary manuscripts and typescripts.You do not have to be a member of the Library to consult our special collections holdings. We welcome inquiries from researchers; our e-mail address is rare_books@nysoclib.org.Use the links below to find information on our named collections.

• Winthrop Collection
• Sharp Collection
• Hammond Collection
• Sharaff-Sze Collection
• Da Ponte Collection
• Green Art Collection

• Using the Special Collections
• Searching for Rare Materials