"The printing quality of the work is magnificent, reproductions being very sharp and with glorious colors" Journal of the Early Book Society, volume 15
The collections which have gathered within St Andrews University Library are outstanding. Books from the dawn of European printing to contemporary fine imprints, including the fruits of over a century's status as a Copyright Deposit Library; manuscripts representing the breadth of human activity from the dawn of Christendom to modern times; an astonishing photographic archive, based on the position of St Andrews as one of the crucibles of early photographic development, which now contains almost 750,000 images taken in Scotland and across the globe between 1840 and the present day; and the university's own institutional archive, a living collection which documents the rich life of the institution from its foundation.
This volume presents 50 selected items from across the collections, each accompanied by a short explanatory essay by an expert in the field. It also features an introductory essay outlining the history of St Andrews University Library from its beginnings in a few mediaeval cathedral book presses to the modern hub of learning within an institution of international academic reputation.
"Scholars, staff and students at the University of St Andrews are extraordinarily privileged to have such precious resources to draw on as we make our own contributions to our academic community here in Scotland and beyond. I hope that this book will, in its turn, prove a source of inspiration and delight to its readers." (Louise Richardson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor)
