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Rare Book Room Rare Book Room <div class="ExternalClassF74ECB0967084601B621203F5245C2F2"><p>​<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The Phoenix Public Library received the Alfred Knight Collection as a donation in 1958. Alfred Knight was a successful businessman, civic leader, local philanthropist, and dedicated library patron. Mr. Knight's interests spanned a diverse range encompassing Shakespeareana, Napoleana, early modern literature, as well as prized first editions of American and British literary classics. The Rare Book Room also houses a reference collection on history of the book, history of printing, and typography, as well as an expansive collection of artists' books. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><h1><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><strong>Rare Book Room News</strong></span></h1><h2><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><em>Historic Treasure Found in Phoenix Public Library</em></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h2><div><h3><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Background:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h3></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">For centuries, public libraries have played a critical role in communities. A role that evolves and shifts, reflecting the needs of its community. Yet at the same time, public libraries remain timeless and few gathering spaces appear as frequently in an individual’s life as the library. Here in Phoenix it's where a child goes for story time and to read their first chapter book. Where an adolescent learns to code and discovers how to get lost in a novel. Where a nervous teenager fills out their college applications. Where adults snag the latest musical album or newest book topping the charts, receive help with their taxes or prep for an interview. Where visitors of all ages can connect with life changing information or find a treasure. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">It is also the place where on a recent March morning global scholars gathered in </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Phoenix Public Library’s Rare Book Room at <a href="/locations/burton-barr">Burton Barr Central Library</a></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">. The group, hosted and joined by </span><a href="https://www.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Arizona State University</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> faculty, looked on with slack-jawed wonder at a 437-year-old book with handwritten notes by author John Milton of “Paradise Lost” fame. Normally, it would take months for scholars to research the handwriting and determine if it was Milton’s. But, by ASU faculty leading the charge and inviting four international scholars to join together, the red tape was cut away and </span><a href="https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/john-milton-annotated-holinshed-chronicles-commentary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">history was made</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Just a few floors above where local teens sat filling out college applications these scholars identified the handwriting of Milton in an Alfred Knight Collection copy of </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">“Holinshed’s Chronicles,” dated 1587.</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> Believed to be very popular in its time, “Holinshed’s Chronicles” was used as a source for much of Shakespeare’s works. It’s likely that, at one time, this was John Milton’s personal copy of the book and this is only the third book with Milton’s notes known to history.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">It would be hard to overstate the significance of such a find nearly 350 years after Milton’s death and at this particular point in time. As debates rage across the nation over the notion of free speech, finding the handwriting and real-time thoughts of one of history’s most impassioned defenders of both the freedom of speech and of the press seems like kismet. Even more good fortune, this treasure of a rare book representing a timeless thread is accessible at a public library.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> ​</span></p></div><h4><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:</span> </h4><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Annie DeGraw, ASU</span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <br><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">(602) 502-3856</span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <br><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="mailto:annie.degraw@asu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">annie.degraw@asu.edu</span></span></a><br></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Lee Franklin, Phoenix Public Library </span>​<br><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">(602) 534-2025 <br></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <span aria-hidden="true"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="mailto:lee.franklin@phoenix.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">lee.franklin@phoenix.gov</span></span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240,"335572071":0,"335572072":0,"335572073":0,"335572075":0,"335572076":0,"335572077":0,"335572079":0,"335572080":0,"335572081":0,"335572083":0,"335572084":0,"335572085":0,"335572087":0,"335572088":0,"335572089":0,"469789798":"nil","469789802":"nil","469789806":"nil","469789810":"nil","469789814":"nil"}"> </span></p><h4 style="font-size:13px;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">FOR MORE TOURS OR RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS, CONTACT:​</span> </h4><p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240,"335572071":0,"335572072":0,"335572073":0,"335572075":0,"335572076":0,"335572077":0,"335572079":0,"335572080":0,"335572081":0,"335572083":0,"335572084":0,"335572085":0,"335572087":0,"335572088":0,"335572089":0,"469789798":"nil","469789802":"nil","469789806":"nil","469789810":"nil","469789814":"nil"}">Alex Mada<br>(602 )534-7778​<br><a href="mailto:alex.mada@phoenix.gov" target="_blank">alex.mada@phoenix.gov</a><br><br><img src="/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare%20Book%20Room/RBR_Holinsheds-Chronicles_web.jpg" alt="Scholars gather around "Holinshed's Chronicles" (1587) in the Rare Book Room at Burton Barr Central Library." style="margin:5px;" /><br></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240,"335572071":0,"335572072":0,"335572073":0,"335572075":0,"335572076":0,"335572077":0,"335572079":0,"335572080":0,"335572081":0,"335572083":0,"335572084":0,"335572085":0,"335572087":0,"335572088":0,"335572089":0,"469789798":"nil","469789802":"nil","469789806":"nil","469789810":"nil","469789814":"nil"}">Scholars from left to right: Aaron Pratt, Tara Lyons, Zachary Lesser, Claire Bourne and Brandi Adams. ​</span></p></div>

 

 

 

 

Miniature booksMiniature bookshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR_Miniatures_web.jpg688
Closeup of music documentCloseup of music documenthttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR_Music-Closeup_web.jpg689
Paradise lost: A poem in ten books by John Milton, 1668Paradise lost: A poem in ten books by John Milton, 1668https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR_Paradise-Lost_web.jpg691
Discover the many treasures held within the Rare Book Room.Discover the many treasures held within the Rare Book Room.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR_web.jpg375
The space is punctuated with unique pieces of art.The space is punctuated with unique pieces of art.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR2_web.jpg485
Small, black hand press: The Rare Book Room includes objects dedicated to the history of printmaking, including this hand press printer.Small, black hand press: The Rare Book Room includes objects dedicated to the history of printmaking, including this hand press printer.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR5_web.jpg488
A place for research and discovery.A place for research and discovery.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR3_web.jpg486
The Eames Chair in the Rare Book Room.The Eames Chair in the Rare Book Room.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR4_web.jpg487
The Rare Book Room offers featured exhibits in addition to a variety of special collections.The Rare Book Room offers featured exhibits in addition to a variety of special collections.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR6_web.jpg489
Closeup of manuscript with musicCloseup of manuscript with musichttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Libraries/BBCL/Rare Book Room/RBR_Manuscript-Closeup_web.jpg687

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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