Other items of interest in the room include an intriguing mineral and gem collection donated by a local chemical company, a Civil War surgical kit and other 19th century medical instruments, as well as the intimate, family, photograph album of a local musician, known to have played trumpet at President Lincoln’s funeral.  Rare books are encased in floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves with protective glass doors. 

Special Collections began with a core collection of donated volumes from some of York College’s many alumni and administrators.  While maintaining these historical, collegiate links, the eclectic nature of the rare books’ collection has grown to incorporate a variety of treasures including:
 

A Collection of the Works of Thomas Chalkey: Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin and D. Hall, 1749.

Galilei, Galileo. Opere di Galileo Galilei. Firenze: Nella Stamp di SAR Per Gio, Tartini, e Santi Franchi, 1718

a collection of 17th and 18th century Bibles, many in German, 

Diodati, Giovanni. Pious Annotations upon the Holy Bible. London: Nicholas Fussell, 1651. 

Clarke, Samuel. A Geographical Description of All the Countries of the Known World.  London: R. Clavel, 1671.

Gore, Catherine Grace Frances. Paris in 1841. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1842.

a collection of 19th century illustrated volumes,

as well as items of local interest such as the rare German edition of A.B. Farquhar’s autobiography, Die Erste Million, Die Schwerste, 1927. 

Three other important donations to Schmidt Library are the Lincoln Collection, donated by local physician Dr. William Langston, the Louis J. Appell, Jr. Horticultural Collection and the James Merrill Collection, donated by Dr. Kenneth Work.  The Lincoln Collection is dedicated to Lincoln lore and contains many artifacts from the Lincoln era.  The Appell Horticultural Collection is an impressive, colorful group of works dedicated to horticulture, gardening and landscaping. The James Merrill Collection includes books, articles, audio-visual items, and photographs concerning the life and work this outstanding poet and writer.

Most items in Special Collections may not be taken from the room and individual use is closely supervised to ensure the items’ preservation and security.  The collection is open to everyone during the room’s hours of operation or by appointment.  

Schmidt Library is dedicated to both preserving its rare and historical treasures, and to providing an atmosphere that promotes greater understanding and enjoyment of the unique and wonderful collections.