skip navigation links

About the library > News Releases > 2006 > Treasures of the John Wilson Special Collections exhibit

Treasures of the John Wilson Special Collections exhibit features rare items from library collection

June 8, 2006

Contact:

PORTLAND, OR – Beautiful hand-colored copper engravings from John James Audubon's The Birds of America and original engravings and etchings by Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn are just a few of the Treasures of the John Wilson Special Collections, which will be on display from June 24–August 20 in the Collins Gallery at Central Library, 801 S.W. 10th Ave. in Portland.

The exhibition features masterworks drawn from six core collections which include some of the finest books ever published. In addition to Audubon's The Birds of America (1827-38) double-elephant folio (a page will be turned daily), the exhibit will feature Pierre Joseph Redouté's Les roses (1817-24); Atlas Major (1662), by Joan Blaeu; Beatrix Potter's first book, A Happy Pair (1890), one of a dozen in public collections worldwide; original photographs of Portland by Carleton Watkins and Minor White; manuscripts from the 13th century; the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493) and other incunabula (books printed before 1501). Other items of note include William Morris's remarkable Kelmscott Press The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (1896); hand-pulled photogravures from Edward Curtis's The North American Indian (1907-1930); important early maps and documents of Oregon; original correspondence and important first editions by Charles Dickens and D. H. Lawrence; highlights of the Native American literature collection; innovative contemporary artist's books; and many more spectacular materials.

The John Wilson Special Collections is the repository of Multnomah County Library's rare books, manuscripts, photographs, prints, and other fine materials. The library has been collecting important historical materials since it was founded in 1864. The origins of the rare book collection began in earnest in 1899 with the bequest of 8,000 books by local merchant John Wilson, including some of the finest antiquarian books still in the collection. The collection has grown to 10,000 volumes, thanks largely to gifts from the community of books and funds devoted to maintaining the collection.

An opening reception for Treasures of the John Wilson Special Collections will take place Saturday, June 24, from 2–3:30 p.m. and will feature music by members of the Portland Baroque Orchestra: Susan Jensen, harpsichord; Victoria Gunn Pich, violin and Lori Presthus, violoncello.

In addition, a number of special programs will take place in conjunction with the exhibition. On Saturday, July 8 from 2–3:30 p.m., award-winning Native American author Susan Power, (The Grass Dancer, 1994 and Roofwalker, 2002) will present a lecture and reading sponsored in part by the Spirit Mountain Community Fund of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. On Saturday, July 22 from 2–4:30 p.m., book collector Jack Walsdorf will conduct free book appraisals. Each participant is limited to two books. On Saturday, August 12 from 2–3:30 p.m., author and scholar Betty Bright will present a talk on contemporary artist's books. All Treasures of the John Wilson Special Collections programming takes place in the U.S. Bank Room at Central Library.

Admission to the gallery, reception and programs is free and the public is invited to attend. The gallery is open the same hours as Central Library: Monday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.

For more information, contact Jim Carmin at 503.988.6287 or jimc@multcolib.org.