Back a Book
Through careful monitoring and professional conservation of the books, manuscripts and prints in the Pepys Library and the Old Library, we can ensure that these items are studied and exhibited for years to come.
You can be part of this preservation of history by 'backing a book' - supporting an item in our historic collections which is in need of professional conservation. On this page, we have selected items which are in need of repair for you to choose from and the cost of sponsorship.
Items for Conservation
‘Civitas Londinum’, attributed to Ralph Agas, c.1633 (Pepys Library) - *Backed*
This very large map is a view of London created from 16th-century woodblocks and text added in 1633. The map is traditionally attributed to the surveyor and cartographer Ralph Agas (c.1540-1621), and is also known as the ‘Agas map’, but modern scholarship has now discounted his involvement with its creation. This wonderful map is a very rare survival: the only other copy of this map is in the collection of the London Metropolitan Archives.
Conservation Work Required
Removal of the map from a wooden frame, conservation assessment, rehousing in a suitable archival box.
Cost to conserve: £305.00 - *Backed*
‘The scripture account of the eternal rewards or punishments..’ by Henry Dodwell, 1708 (Old Library)
Cost to conserve: £495.00
This book forms part of our recently identified collection of books owned by Mary Astell (1666-1731) in the Old Library. As one can see from the inscription on the title page, she received this book as a gift from the ‘learned author’ himself. Due to the significant interest in the Mary Astell books, it is vital that conservation work is carried out on these volumes to assist with their future academic use.
Conservation Work Required
Reattaching the front cover, stabilising historic pest damage, surface cleaning.
Cost to conserve: £495.00
‘Letter to Mr Dodwell, concerning the immortality of the soul of Man’ by John Norris, 1709 (Old Library)
Cost to conserve: £190.00
This book forms part of our recently identified collection of books owned by Mary Astell (1666-1731) in the Old Library. John Norris was Astell’s intellectual ‘sparring partner’, and the pair published their correspondence in a volume entitled Letters Concerning the Love of God in 1695. Due to the significant interest in the Mary Astell books, it is vital that conservation work is carried out on these volumes to assist with their future academic use.
Conservation Work Required
Repairing the joints (where the covers meet the spine of the book), surface cleaning.
Cost to conserve: £190.00
‘V. Cl. Gulielmi Camdeni, et illustrium virorum ad G. Camdenum Epistolæ’ by William Camden, 1691 (Old Library)
Cost to conserve: £300.00
This is a collection of the correspondence of William Camden (1551-1623), the historian and antiquary, collected by Thomas Smith and published in 1691. The volume also contains a well-regarded biography of Camden by Smith. The engraved frontispiece depicting Camden is by Robert White, after Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. Robert White was also the engraver of Samuel Pepys’s bookplate.
Conservation Work Required
Reattaching the front cover, consolidating (strengthening) the leather and text block to allow the volume to be safely handled.
Cost to conserve: £300.00
A collection of six tracts including ‘Practyse of prelates’ by William Tyndale, c.1549, with handwritten contents page by former Master of Magdalene James Duport (Old Library)
Cost to conserve: £950.00
James Duport was a classicist, an active book collector and library enthusiast. He was made Master of Magdalene in 1668, as well as Dean of Peterborough in 1664. He was an important supporter of building the Wren library at Trinity College, as well as playing an active part in rejuvenating Peterborough Cathedral Library during his time as Dean. Upon his death, Duport’s books were divided between Trinity College, Magdalene College and family members. Many volumes of tracts in the Old Library feature Duport’s attractive handwriting on the endpapers listing the volumes’ contents. Full details of the contents of this volume are available upon request.
Conservation Work Required
Reattaching the front cover and loose pages, stabilising ink corrosion damage, repair to split headband, surface cleaning.
Cost to conserve: £950.00
Back A Book
If you would like to back a book, please complete the online donation form.
Back A Book Donation FormFor those who support the conservation of an item in full, we will recognise your generous contribution in the following ways:
- a 'Conservation Report' outlining the work undertaken on the item, with 'before and after' photos for personal study
- acknowledgement in the online catalogue record of the book, if applicable (currently printed books only)
- an acknowledgement in the Pepys Library section of the college website and the 'Friends of the Pepys Library' Newsletter
The 'lead time' for the conservation may vary, especially in the unlikely event of an emergency repair arising. However, we will keep in contact with you regarding the estimated timescale.
Friends of the Pepys
Back a Book is run in parallel with our Friends of the Pepys Library and Historic Collections. You do not need to be a member to back a book.
If you are interested in joining the Friends of the Pepys to keep up to date with news from the historic libraries please visit the Friends of the Pepys webpage or contact the Coordinator of the Friends Library at pepysfriends@magd.cam.ac.uk.