The Treasury
A richly illustrated manuscript from the 9th century, 16th-century drawings of the human body showing every muscle and tendon and a 17th-century sea chart containing a detailed depiction of the coastline of the Baltic Sea area. Each of these unique and special objects deserves a place in the Treasury of Special Collections. The collection is divided into three categories: manuscripts, early printed works, and maps and atlases. From each category five masterpieces have been selected.
Besides these items, five other collections must have their place in the Treasury: collections of travel accounts, diaries, letters, maps and more. Together they form a unique collection. Please have a detailed look at the twenty masterpieces and enjoy reading the background stories.
The twenty treasures from Special Collections
The secrets of the Utrecht Psalter Discover the surrealistic and dynamic style of this unique medieval manuscript.
'Humani corporis' by Vesalius, a true masterpiece The first anatomical standard work containing very detailed illustrations
The world famous 'Atlas maior' by Blaeu The eleven volumes of the 'Atlas maior' (1662-1665) consist of almost 600 maps.
Collection of the Utrecht amateur-historian Buchelius Aernout van Buchell, aka Buchelius, left many manuscripts.
The richly illustrated 15th-century Zwolle Bible The illustrations from this bible were so beautiful that people stole them by cutting them out of the book.
The heavyweight 'Principia' by Isaac Newton The laws of gravity, drawn and described by the phycisist himself.
'Spieghel der Zeevaerdt': the first sea atlas of the world Ships, compasses, sea monsters. You will find them in this work by navigating officer Lucas Jansz. Waghenaer.
Scholar Moll left all kinds of rare objects The collection of a scientific omnivore who was rarely at home.
The controversia 'Pontifical of Sinte Marie' Beautifully decorated medieval manuscript which is not only special, but also controversial.
'Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium' by Merian In this book, caterpillars emerge as beautiful and colourful butterflies.
The Buginese chart, a compass for pirates? This map has been made from an Indonesian perspective.
Ackersdijck, keen on travelling, left around 1500 maps A total of 40 metres of maps, atlases, letters and travel accounts.
The 5th-century 'Civitate Dei' by Augustine This work greatly influenced Catholic theology.
Dive into the 'Natuurlyke Historie' by Renards A varied collection of crustaceans, fish and a mermaid 'swim' over the pages.
Master offsetter made the decorations in the 'Zee-atlas ofte waterwereld'van Goos Raised decorations of gold leaf. Such spectacular illustrations you hardly ever find in atlases.
The Van Buchell collection: unique in its kind Aernout van Buchell's uncle collected an impressive collection of printed books.
Cunliffe Book of Hours: a joy to hold in your hands A beautifully illustrated Book of Hours.
The history of the world, noted down in the 'Liber Chronicarum' The Neurenberg physician Hartmann Schedel wrote history.
17th-century navigating with Blaeu's chart With the help of this map, ships could precisely chart the course to the Baltic Sea.
This collection also contains LP's with recordings by Geyl himself The author of 'Geschiedenis van de Nederlandse stam' left this valuable material.
