Central Library Special Collections at Chetham's Library

We were absolutely delighted when Chetham's Library generously offered to house some of our Special Collections whilst Central Library is closed for restoration. This means that our Tracts, Broadside Ballads and Chapbooks are housed in a newly converted high security, environmentally controlled  stack and remain accessible throughout this period.

Within days of the collections arriving at Chetham's  renowned expert, David Blamires, arranged to visit, so that he could examine and record  our chapbooks. These are a wonderful mixture from all over Britain of material for adults and children, many of which are illustrated in colour.

Another early visitor was Professor  Brean Hammond of Nottingham University, who recently identified an 18th century play, Double Falsehood by Lewis Theobald, as re-working of Shakespeare's long lost play Cardenio. This has now been published as part of the Arden Shakespeare series. Professor Hammond was keen to take a look at the copy of Double Falsehood which is in our Tracts collections and has an inscription on the title page which appears to have been written by Lewis Theobald.

For access arrangements please contact Chetham's Library ...