The Master and Fellows, Magdalene College, Cambridge

Visit The Old Library at Magdalene College

Thu 3 October 2019 - Thu 5 December 2019

The Old Library, First Court, Magdalene College

Distinct from the Samuel Pepys Library, which is also at Magdalene, the Old Library has housed the historic books of the College in First Court since the fifteenth century, in what was the medieval Prior's residence.

As well as enjoying the historic, book-lined rooms, Visitors will see displays of items from the College's special collectons and archives, which are not normally seen in public.

The Autumn programme of special one-day exhibitions is as follows:

3rd October 2019: TRACES OF ITALY through maps, travel writing and early printed books.  This display will reveal some of the plans, accounts and products of Renaissance Italy, from the work of the English cartographer John Speed to volumes on architectural, horticultural and urban design.

7th November 2019: EATING AND DRINKING together as a community has played an important role in the life of Magdalene College through the centuries. This display of archival material and artefacts will examine the history of food and drink in the College.

5th December 2019: INCUNABULA. An exploration of the Old Library’s collection of Incunabula (books printed before 1501) from England and continental Europe, including an early edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Cost: Free - All Welcome