The foundation of UC Library's special collections dates back to 1850 with the published works collected by the Canterbury Association to meet their educational objectives in the province. Over time the collections have grown by means of donation, transfer of existing UC collections, and by selective purchasing. Special collections are located in all of the University libraries with the majority being in the Macmillan Brown Library, which includes rare books and the modern fine print collection.
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Rare books
01 July 2024
UC's Rare Books Collection has about 7000 volumes of European printed works, including incunabula, and a small number of medieval manuscript items. Learn more about the rare books in our collection.
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Rare books
UC's Rare Books Collection has about 7000 volumes of European printed works, including incunabula, and a small number of medieval manuscript items. Learn more about the rare books in our collection.
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Rare books
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Rare books
UC's Rare Books Collection has about 7000 volumes of European printed works, including incunabula, and a small number of medieval manuscript items. Learn more about the rare books in our collection.
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Modern fine print collection
13 March 2026
UC's Modern Fine Print Collection is an extension of the Rare Books Collection. It includes works from the 1890s onwards. Learn more and see how to access our modern fine print collection.
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Modern fine print collection
UC's Modern Fine Print Collection is an extension of the Rare Books Collection. It includes works from the 1890s onwards. Learn more and see how to access our modern fine print collection.
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Modern fine print collection
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Modern fine print collection
UC's Modern Fine Print Collection is an extension of the Rare Books Collection. It includes works from the 1890s onwards. Learn more and see how to access our modern fine print collection.
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Other special collections
13 March 2026
All our UC libraries house special, unique collections. Most are in the Macmillan Brown library, including the Rare Books and Modern Fine Print Collections but you can also find collections elsewhere. Check out our other special collections.
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Other special collections
All our UC libraries house special, unique collections. Most are in the Macmillan Brown library, including the Rare Books and Modern Fine Print Collections but you can also find collections elsewhere. Check out our other special collections.
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Other special collections
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Other special collections
All our UC libraries house special, unique collections. Most are in the Macmillan Brown library, including the Rare Books and Modern Fine Print Collections but you can also find collections elsewhere. Check out our other special collections.
More information
For special collections enquiries, including major donations, collection evaluation, and rare books, contact the Macmillan Brown Library.
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Macmillan Brown Library
Te Puna Rakahau o Macmillan Brown
31 July 2026
UC's Macmillan Brown Library hosts cultural heritage collections that reflect our place in Aotearoa, the Pacific, and beyond. These diverse collections are a rich research resource for all students and researchers with unlimited potential for discovering and creating new knowledge .
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Macmillan Brown Library
Te Puna Rakahau o Macmillan Brown
UC's Macmillan Brown Library hosts cultural heritage collections that reflect our place in Aotearoa, the Pacific, and beyond. These diverse collections are a rich research resource for all students and researchers with unlimited potential for discovering and creating new knowledge .
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Macmillan Brown Library
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Macmillan Brown Library
Te Puna Rakahau o Macmillan Brown
UC's Macmillan Brown Library hosts cultural heritage collections that reflect our place in Aotearoa, the Pacific, and beyond. These diverse collections are a rich research resource for all students and researchers with unlimited potential for discovering and creating new knowledge .
