The Collection of Manuscripts, Early and Rare Printed Books
The oldest section of the Library of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic comprises approximately 25,000 books from the 16th to 19th centuries, around a hundred incunables, and a similar number of manuscripts. This collection was gradually assembled following the library’s establishment in 1953, primarily through acquisitions.
At its creation in 1953, the Library of the Academy of Sciences inherited the book collections from several abolished institutions, including the Royal Bohemian Society of Sciences (1784-1952) and two more recent libraries—the Czech Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Masaryk Academy of Labour. These institutions’ collections also included valuable early printed books. Due to their historical significance, these book collections are maintained separately.
Between 1953 and 1967, the library significantly expanded its collection of old and rare printed books or manuscripts, primarily through antiquarian purchases, acquisitions of various estates, and abolished historical libraries. Notable acquisitions include part of the collection of bibliophile Eduard Langer (1852-1914) and the Wallenstein Library from the castle in Doksy.
The library now manages approximately 800 printed books from the 16th century, 1,200 from the 17th century, and over 9,000 from the 18th century. While this is not a historically grown collection, it provides a representative cross-section of printing and literary output from the 16th to 18th centuries. The collection continues to grow through new acquisitions, with its collecting strategy focused on Bohemian print production.
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The rarest book in the collection is a manuscript of the Martinice Bible from the 1530s, featuring an illuminated initial depicting Jan Hus.
The oldest item is a manuscript of the New Testament from 1232.
The library also preserves a copy of Veleslavín’s Historical Calendar (1590) with manuscript entries from the 1730s by Václav Nosidlo of Geblice, as well as a broadsheet containing an epitaph and illumination of Jan of Vartenberk, dating from around 1615.
The historical collection is being selectively digitized and made accessible through the Digital Library of the Academy of Sciences.
Presenting the Collection
Separate projects highlighting the collection have featured the printers’ and publishers’ marks from the 16th and 17th centuries, illustrations from various editions of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and a collection of aeronautics and Quaker literature.
Book History Detectives
This scientific popular animated series offers a new fresh look at the historical collection of the CAS Library. The project results from a collaboration of book historians, new media artists, and other experts across disciplines.es.