Recent Donations

Recently, the Special Collections of the University of Groningen Library have been enriched through various donations by generous benefactors wishing to provide for the future of their precious books and to make them openly accessible for use, e.g. in teaching and research.

The former parish of St. Boniface in Wehe den Hoorn donated eleven books, many of them missals, which over the past century were used in the local church (a magnificent building which also houses a statue of St. Mary from Aduard Abbey). The parish has become part of a larger entity which ended the liturgical lives of these books. In the University Library they begin their brand new lives.

Mr. Anne-Dirk Renting of Velp donated eight 17th- and 18th-century books. Among them are several editions of works by Daniel Gerdes, former professor of theology at the University of Groningen (1736–1765) and preacher to the academy.

Mr. H.W.M. Speckman of Heiloo donated three gold-tooled prize books which in 1730, 1763 and 1767 respectively were awarded to his ancestors Arnoldt Wilhelm and Pieter (bis) Speckman for their achievements as pupils in the Latin School at Groningen. In later years they were in the possession of his grandfather H.M. Speckman (1869–1961) in Grootegast.

Mrs. Yvonne Werkhoven of Groningen donated two books. One of them is Het gezandtschap der Neêrlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie aan den grooten Tartarischen Cham (Amsterdam 1693), which narrates an expedition by the Dutch East-India Company (VOC) to China. The book became famous almost instantly upon publication, not least because of its numerous illustrations.

Last but not least Mr. Rolf Blankemeijer donated a so-called Statenbijbel, i.e. a Bible in the Dutch translation commissioned and sanctioned by the States General in the early 17th century. This edition was published in 1719 by the well-known publishing house of Keur in Dordrecht.

All these books can be found (now or shortly) in our online catalogue with a mention of the books’ donors and other relevant information on their provenance. To all donors we are exceedingly grateful.