A collection of 500 pre-1800 books were recently relocated to a permanent location in Library and Archives Canada’s rare books vault. The vault is equipped with optimal environmental conditions to ensure this special collection is properly preserved for generations to come. Prior to being transferred to Library and Archives Canada, the books were owned by the Library of Parliament. Most of this collection consists of books published in England or France, and many are multi-volume sets. The subject matter ranges from geography and history to theatre and essays.
The permanent location in the rare books vault.
About the Collection
The majority of the books are 18th-century hand bindings bound in full or partial leather. The collection also comprises some books made of paper, cloth or parchment. The books are decorated with intricate gold titling and tooling and are often accented with unique and stunning marbled papers, commonly used as the endpapers.
Marble paper detail.
The Library of Parliament “beaver” stamp on the spine of many of the books. The style and intricate details of the beaver changes over the years, but the familiar trademark remains easily identifiable.
The condition of the books
Before being added to the Rare Book Collection, factors such as moisture, temperature, light and dust contributed to the deterioration of many of the books. Although some books are in excellent condition, with the binding structures and text blocks intact, many are damaged and show signs of damage. Some items have suffered from water and fire damage, or contain traces of a pest infestation, while others are weakened and damaged due to centuries of physical use.
Red rot and leather deterioration
A large percentage of the collection (approximately 90%) suffers from various levels of leather deterioration. In some extreme cases, the type of damage is referred to by conservators as red rot. The deterioration of leather is a common issue in leather from this period as the tannins used in the manufacturing process contain chemicals that, over time, and in the presence of oxygen, undergo a chemical change that breaks down the leather molecules. This causes the leather to weaken, flake and powder.
An example of red rot—the term describes the red-coloured powder that appears on the surface of badly deteriorated leather.
Next steps for this collection
So much can be learned from this collection of historical and beautiful books. Check back with us for the next blog posts on the physical inventory of this collection , which includes a detailed inventory of the state of the collection, the levels of conservation treatment required, the material composition of the books, type of decorations, etc. Also have a look at the following post, detailing what steps will be taken to preserve this fine collection.
Library and Archives Canada Blog 
Titles?
Hello,
Following is a list of the titles. Please note that the list is long, but only accounts for 200 titles or so. This is because many of these titles are multi-volume sets. These can also be searched for, and found through the Library search.
Bibliotheca Chethamensis. Quanta potuit fide et diligentia edidit Joannes Radcliffe
The true intellectual system of the universe : wherein all the reason and philosophy of atheism is confuted, and its impossibility demonstrated : with a discourse concerning the true nation of the Lord’s supper ; and two sermons, on 1 John II. 3, 4 and 1
Gothofredi Guillelmi Leibnitii : Opera omnia
Essays on the Characteristics
Traduction du livre de S. Augustin : des moeurs de l’Eglise catholique, avec les sommaires de la doctrine contenue dans chaque chapitre
Dictionnaire historique, critique, chronologique, géographique et littéral de la Bible …
Histoire des ordres royaux, hospitaliers-militairs de Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel et de Saint-Lazare de Jérusalem
Apologie pour Monsieur Arnauld, docteur de Sorbonne, contre un libelle publié par les Jésuits, intitulé Remarques judicieuses sur le Livre de la fréquente communion
De l’imitation de Jesus Christ
A view of the principal deistical writers that have appeared in England in the last and present century. With observations upon them, and some account of the answers that have been published against them. In several letters to a friend
The miscellaneous works of the late Reverend … Conyers Middleton … : containing all his writings, except the Life of Cicero : many of which were never before published : in four volumes
Point de croix, point de couronne
Preuves des libertez de l’Eglise gallicane
Geographia hierarchica : Sive, Statvs ecclesiastici romano-catholici per orbem universum distributi succincta descriptio historico-geographica
Codex juris ecclesiastici anglicani : or, The statutes, constitutions, canons, rubricks and articles of the Church of England, methodically digested under their proper heads. With a commentary, historical and juridical …
The toleration of the Protestants, and the authority of the church : or, An answer to the libel of Monsieur Jurieu, which carries for title: A pastoral letter to the faithful of Paris, of Orleans, of Blois
The history and philosophy of Judaism, or, A critical and philosophical analysis of the Jewish religion from which is offered a vindication of its genius, origin, and authority and of its connection with the Christian, against the objections and misrepres
The Oceana and other works of Iames Harrington
The letters of Junius: two volumes in one
Lex parliamentaria: or, A treatise of the law and custom of the Parliaments of England[microform]
[Bibliotheca politica; or, An enquiry into the ancient constituion of the English government … in thirteen dialogues. Collected out of the best authors, as well antient as modern. To which is added an alphabetical index to the whole work
Institution au droit françois
Systême universel de principes du droit maritime de l’Europe
Oeuvres de M. Antoine D’espeisses, avocat et jurisconsulte de Montpellier
The jurisdiction of the Lords house, or Parliament, considered according to antient records
Code des seigneurs hauts-justiciers et féodaux, ou Maximes concernant les fiefs et droits féodaux
Recueil chronologique des ordonnances : edits & arrêts de Réglement cités dans les nouveaux commentaires sur les Ordonnances des mois d’Avril 1667, Août 1669, Août 1670 & Mars 1673
Traité des fonctions, droits et privileges des commissaires au Châtelet de Paris
Instruction facile sur les conventions, ou Notions simples sur les divers engagements qu’on peut prendre dans la société, & sur leurs suites : ouvrage utile aux gens d’affaires, bourgeois, négociants, à tous chefs de famille, & aux jeunes gens qui se dest
Instruction facile sur les conventions : ou Notions simples sur les divers engagements qu’on peut prendre dans la société, et sur leurs suites
Nouveau commentaire portatif de la coutume de Normandie
A collection of modern entries, or, select pleadings in the courts of King’s bench, Common pleas and Exchequer…With the method of suing to and reversing outlawries by writ of error or otherwise
Traité du douaire
Some considerations on the law of forfeiture for high-treason : occasioned by a clause, in the late Act, for making it treason to correspond with the pretender’s sons, or any of their agents, &c
Nouveau traite de venerie contenant la chasse du cerf, celles du chevreuil, du sanglier, du loup, du lievre et du renard : avec la connoissance des chevaux propres à la chasse
A catalogue of engraved British portraits, from Egbert the Great to the present time : consisting of the effigies of persons in every walk of human life … with an appendix containing the portraits of such foreigners as … may claim a place in the Briti
Roman moderne : comédie en cinq actes sur l’histoire Universelle, & la Fable, avec des notes politiques sur les travaux d’Hercule
L’Art de péter : essai théori-physique et méthodique, à l’usage des personnes constipées, des personnages graves & austères, des dames mélancoliques, & de tous ceux qui sont esclaves du préjugé
Le comte de Warwick, par Madame Daulnoy
Mémoires secrets pour servir à l’histoire de la republique des lettres en France, depuis MDCCLXII jusqu’à nos jours; ou, Journal d’un observateur … Par feu m. de Bachaumont
Les tragedies et autres poésies de Mademoiselle M.A. Barbier
British theatre
Oeuvres complètes
Bibliothèque du Théâtre françois, depuis son origine : contenant un extrait de tous les ouvrages composés pour ce théâtre depuis les mystères jusqu’aux pièces de Pierre Corneille, une liste chronologique de celles composées depuis cette dernière époque ju
The school for fathers; or, Lionel & Clarissa, a comic opera. Adapted for theatrical representation
Les Tragédies et histoires saintes de Jean Boissin de Gallardon
Les entretiens d’Artiste et d’Eugène
Thétre de feu monsieur Boursault
Le marquis de Chavigny
Lettres nouvelles de feu monsieur Boursault : accompagnées de fables, de contes, d’épigrammes, de remarques, de bons mots, & d’autres particularités aussi agréables qu’utiles : avec treize lettres amoureuses d’une dame à un cavalier
The genuine remains in verse and prose of Mr. Samuel Butler, author of Hudibras. Published from the original manuscripts, formerly in the possession of W. Longueville; with notes by R. Thyer
Hudibras : in three parts
De l’art de la comédie; ou, Détail raisonné des diverses parties de la comédie, et de ses différents genres; suivi d’un traité de l’imitation où l’on compare à leurs originaux les imitations de Moliere & celles des modernes. Le tout appuyé d’exemples tir
Les oeuvres de Monsieur de Crébillon
Lettres – théâtre : le pédant joué – La mort d’Agrippine – Voyage dans la lune – Histoire des états du soleil
Lettres sur les spectacles : avec une histoire des ouvrages pour & contre les théatres
Lettres de M. Desp. de B*, sur les spectacles; avec une histoire des ouvrages pour & contre les théâtres. 4. éd., rev., corrigée & augm. par l’auteur
Cymbalum mundi, ou, Dialogues satyriques sur différens sujets
The miscellaneous works of John Dryden, esq; containing all his original poems, tales, and translations
Lettres historiques et galantes de deux dames de condition, dont l’une était à Paris, & l’autre en Province : Ouvrage curieux
Emilie et Alphonse : ou danger de se livreer à ses premières impressions
Poësies diverses, du roi de Prusse
La Gazette
Pénélope, tragédie
Miscellaneous works of Edward Gibbon, esquire. With memoirs of his life and writings, composed by himself: illustratedfrom his letters, with occasional notes and narrative by Lord Sheffield
De l’éloquence du barreau
Caleb Williams [or, Things as they are] Edited with an introd. by David McCracken
Thomae Caii (Collegii Universitatis Regnante Elizabetha Magistri) Vindiciae Antiquitatis Academiae Oxoniensis contra Joannem Caium Cantabrigiensem
Hemingi Chartularium Ecclesiae wigorniensis : E codice ms… descripsit ediditque Tho. Hearnius
An account of a roman pavement : lately found at Stunsfield in Oxford-Shire, prov’d to be 1400 years old
Adami de Domerham Historia de rebus gestis glastoniensibus. E codice ms. perantiquo, in bibliotheca collegii S. Trinitatis Cantabrigiæ, descripsit primusque in lucem protulit Tho. Hearnius. Qui & … Guilielmi Malmesburiensis librum de antiquitate ecclesi
Henrici Dodwelli De parma equestri Woodwardiana dissertatio : Accedit Thomae Neli Dialogus inter reginan Elizabetham & Robertum Dudleium … academiae Oxoniensis cancellarium, in quo de academiae aedificiis praeclare agitur
Ductor historicus : or, A short system of Universal History, and an introduction to the study of it
A Collection of curious discourses
Guilielmi Camdeni Annales rerum Anglicarum et Hibernicarum regnante Elizabetha : tribus voluminibus comprehensi
Johannis de Trokelowe annales Edwardi II. Henrici de Blaneforde chronica, et Edwardi II. vita : A Monacho quodam Malmes burien si suse enarrata
Guilielmi Neubrigensis historia sive Chronica rerum anglicarum, libris quinque. E codice ms. pervetusto, in bibliotheca praenobilis domini Dni. Thomae Sebright… studio atque industria Thomae Hearnii, qui & praeter Joannis Picardi annotationes
Nicolai Triveti Annalium continuatio, ut et Adami Murimuthensis chronicon cum ejusdem continuatione
The itinerary of John Leland the antiquary …/ published by Mr. Thomas Hearne
Walteri Hemingford, Canonici de Gisseburne, Historia de rebus gestis Edvardi I. Edvardi II. & Edvardi III. : Accedunt, inter alia, Edvardi III. … : e codicibus MSS. nunc primus publicavit Tho. Hearnius
Guilielmi Roperi vita D.T. Mori … : Accedunt, Mori Epistola de Scholasticis quibusdam Trojanos sese appellantibus … E. codicibus vetustics descripsit ediditque Tho. Hearnius … qui et notas subjecit
The itinerary of John Leland the Antiquary. Published by Thomas Hearne
A vindication of those who take the Oath of Allegiance to his present Majestie from perjurie, injustice and disloyaltie, charged upon them by such as are against it : in a letter to a Non-Juror
Joannis Rossi antiquarii Warwicensis Historia regum Angliae
Acta Apostolorum Graeco-Latine, litteris majusculis
Historia vitae et regni Ricardi II. Angliae regis, a monacho quodam de Evesham consignata. Accesserunt, praeter alia, Joannis Rossi Historiola de comitibus warwicensibus; Joannis Berebloci Commentarii de rebus gestis Oxoniae, ibidem commorante Elizabetha
The history and antiquities of Glastonbury : to which are added, (1.) The endownment and orders of Sherington’s chantry, founded in Saint Paul’s Church, London, (2.) Dr. Plot’s letter to the Earl of Arlington concerning Thetford
An account of some Roman urns, and other antiquities lately digg’d up near Bishop S-Gate : with brief reflections upon the antient and prefent State of London : in a letter to Sir Christopher Wren
Joannis Rossi antiquarii Warwicensis Historia regum Angliae
Aluredi Beverlacensis Annales, sive Historia de gestis regum Britanniæ, libris IX
Johannis, Confratris & Monachi, Glastoniensis, Chronica, sive historia de rebus Glastoniensibus
Roberti de Avesbury Historia de mirabilibus gestis Edvardi III. Accedunt, (1.) Libri saxonici, qui ad manus Joannis Joscelini venerunt. (2.) Nomina eorum, qui scripserunt historiam gentis Anglorum, et ubi exstant; per Joannem Joscelinum. E codicibus mss.
Peter Langtoft’s Chronicle, (as illustrated and improv’d by Robert of Brunne) from the death of Cadwalader to the end of K. Edward the First’s reign. Transcrib’d, and now first publish’d from a MS. in the Inner-Temple Library by Thomas Hearne. To which
Impartial memorials of the life and writings of Thomas Hearne, M. A
De vita & gestis Henrici II et Ricardi I
Johannis de Fordun Scotichronicon genuinum : una cum ejusdem supplemento ac continuatione : e codicibus mss. eruit ediditque T. Hearnius, qui et appendicem subjunxit, totumque opus … praefatione atque indicibus adornavit
Nicolai Triveti, Dominicani, Annales sex Regum Angliae
Textus roffensis : accedunt, Professionum antiquorum Angliae episcoporum formulae, de canonica obedientia archiepiscopis cantuariensibus praestanda, et Leonardi Hutteni Dissertatio, anglice conscripta, de antiquitatibus oxoniensibus E codicibus mss. descr
Thomae Sprotti Chronica. E codice antiquo MSto, in bibliotheca praenobilis adolescentis Dni. Edvardi Dering, de Surrenden Dering in agro cantiano, baronetti, descripsit ediditque Tho. Hearnius, qui et alia quaedam opuscula, e codicibus msstis. authenticis
Appreciations of poetry. Selected and edited with an introd. by John Erskine
A catalogue of the valuable library of that great antiquarian, Mr. Tho. Hearne, of Oxford: and of another gentleman of note. Consisting of a very great variety of uncommon books, and scarce ever to be met withal
Chronicon; sive, Annales prioratus de Dunstaple, una cum excerptis e chartulario ejusdem prioratus. Thomas Hearnius e codicibus mss. in bibliotheca Harleiana descripsit, primusque vulgavit. Accedit appendix
The life of Aelfred the Great
Relique Bodleianae or, Some genuine remains of Sir Thomas Bodley : containing his life, the first draught of the statutes of the Public library of Oxford, (in English) and a collection of letters to Dr. James, &c.
The gospel according to Gamaliel
Joannis Lelandi antiqarii De rebus britannicis collectanea
Voyage de Nicolas Klimius dans le monde souterrain, contenant une nouvelle téorie de la terre, et l’histoire d’une cinquième monarchie inconnue jusqu’à present
Examen pacifique de la querelle de Madame Dacier et de Monsieur de La Motte sur Homère, avec un Traité sur le poëme epique et la Critique des deux Iliades, et de plusieurs autres poëmes
Chrysal; or, The adventures of a guinea. Wherein are exhibited views of several striking scenes, with curious and interesting anecdotes of the most noted persons in every rank of life, whose hands it passed through, in America, England, Holland, Germany a
Phalante[microform] : tragédie
Cassandre : roman
Oeuvres de Nivelle de LaChaussée
Oeuvres
Noei borguignon de Gui Barôzai
Recueil de pieces galantes, en prose et en vers de madame la comtesse de La Suze et de monsieur Pelisson
Recueil de pièces galantes, en prose et en vers de madame la comtesses de La Suze, et de monsieur Pelisson
Theatre de M. De La Thuillerie. comedien de la troupe royale
Oeuvres choisies de Le Sage : Avec figures. v.1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13
The works of Nicholas Machiavel
Recueil des oraisons funèbres prononcées par messire Jules Mascaron, évêque & comte d’Agen
Anti-Menagiana où l’on cherches bons mots, cette morale, ces pensées judicieuses & tout ce que l’affiche du Menagiana nous a promis
Menagians, ou Les bons mots et remarques critiques, historiques, morales & d’érudition, de monsieur Menage, recueillies par ses amis
Menagiana; ou, Les bon mots et remarques critiques, historiques, morales [et] d’érudition, de Monsieur Menage, recueillies par ses amis
Oeuvres complèttes de Palissot
Oeuvres diverses de Monsieur Pellisson de l’Académie françoise
Poetical recreations: consisting of original poems, songs, odes, etc. With several new translations. In two parts, Part I. Occasionally written by Mrs. Jane Barker. Part II. By several gentlemen of the universities and others
Oeuvres complettes d’Alexandre Pope : traduites en français
The poetical works of Alexander Pope
[Recueils des énigmes les plus terribles de ce temps.]
Oeuvres de Regnard
De la manière d’enseigner et d’étudier les belles lettres par rapport à l’esprit & au coeur
Theâtre italien, de MM. Romagnesi et Ricoboni
Oeuvres de Jean-Baptiste Rousseau
The dramatick writings of Will. Shakspere
The works of Mr. William Shakespear. Volume the sixth
The works in verse and prose of William Shenstone
Remarks on the life and writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift, dean of St. Patrick’s, Dublin, in a series of letters from John, earl of Orrery, to his son, the Honourable Hamilton Boyle
Works
La cassette verte de Monsieur de Sartine, trouvée chez Mademoiselle du Thé
Valesiana, ou, Les pensées critiques, historiques et morales, et les poesies latines
Oeuvres complètes de M. l’abbé de Voisenon
Théâtre de Pierre Corneille : avec des commentraires, &c. &c. &c
Théatre de P. Corneille : avec des commentaires, et autres morceaux intéressans
Voyage en retour de l’Inde, par terre : suivi d’observations sur le passage dans l’Inde par l’Egypte et le grand désert par James Capper
A tour through the Isle of Man : to which is subjoined a review of the Manks history
Voyage pittoresque de la Grèce
Voyage pittoresque de la Grèce
Voyages en Guinée et dans les îles Caraïbes en Amérique : tirés de sa corrspondance avec ses amis
Description topographique de la Virginie, de la Pensylvanie, du Maryland et de la Caroline septentrionale : contenant les rivières d’Ohio, Kenhawa, Sioto, Cherokee, Wabash, des Illinois, du Mississipi, &c. ; le climat, le sol, les productions, tant animal
The journal of an excursion to the United States of North America in the summer of 1794 : embellished with the profile of General Washington, and an aqua-tinta view of the state house at Philadelphia
Essai sur l’histoire naturelle du Chili
Biographical memoirs of the French revolution
Memoires secrets de Mylord Bolingbroke : sur les affaires d’Angleterre depuis 1710 jusqu’en 1716 et plusieurs intrigues à la cour de France
The diary of the late George Bubb Dodington, Baron of Melcombe Regis: from March 8, 1749, to February 6, 1761. With an appendix containing some curious and interesting papers
A short critical review of the political life of Oliver Cromwell, lord-protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland
Vies de Jean d’Estrées, duc et pair, maréchal de France, vice-amiral et vice-roi de l’Amérique : et de Victor-Marie d’Estrées, son fils
The life of Richard Nash, of Bath, esq; extracted principally from his original papers
The history of the life of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham
Memoires du sieur de Pontis, qui a servi dans les armées cinquante-six ans, …
Mémoires du cardinal de Retz : contenant ce qui c’est passé de remarquable en France pendant les premières années du regne de Louis XIV
La vie d’Armand Jean cardinal duc de Richelieu. Principal ministre d’Etat, sous Louis XIII, roi de France & Navarre
Mémoires de Maximilien de Bethune, duc de Sully, principal ministre de Henry Le Grand
Mémoires de Jean de Wit, grand pensionnaire de Hollande
An antiquarian romance, endeavouring to make a line, by which the most ancient people and the processions of the earliest inhabitancy of Europe, may be investigated
The history of Scotland from the accession of the House of Stuart to that of Mary. With appendixes of original papers
A continuation of the Complete history of England: containing the lives and reigns of Edward I. II. & III. and Richard the Second
The ladies history of England : from the descent of Julius Caesar, to the summer of 1780. Calculated for the use of the ladies of Great-Britain and Ireland : and likewise adapted to general use, entertainment, and instruction
An historical and critical review of the civil wars in Ireland : from the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to the settlement under King William. With the state of the Irish Catholics, from that settlement to the relaxation of the popery laws, in the year 1778. E
The history of England … With a compleat index
A view of the causes and consequences of the present war with France
The history and antiquities of the county of Dorset, comp. from the best and most ancient historians, inquisitiones post mortem, and other valuable records and mss. in the public offices and libraries and in private hands, with a copy of domesday book and
An account of the conduct of the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, from her first coming to court, to the year 1710. In a letter from herself to My Lord
The history and antiquities of the county of Essex
The history of England during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth : including the history of the reformation of the churches of England and Scotland
The history of England during the reigns of the royal house of Stuart : wherein the errors of late histories are discover’d and corrected, with proper reflections, and several original letters from King Charles II, King James II, Oliver Cromwell
The history of England during the reigns of King William and Queen Mary, Queen Anne, King George I : being the sequel of the reigns of the Stuarts ; the matter has been collected from many curious manuscripts …
A letter to the Earl of Shelburne on the peace [microform]
[Letters to the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, occasioned by his Reflections on the Revolution in France
Posthumous works of Frederic II, King of Prussia
Table chronologique des diplomes chartes, titres et actes imprimés, concernant l’histoire de France
Du gouvernement, des moeurs, et des conditions en France avant la révolution, avec le caractère des principaux personnages du règne de Louis XVI
Les crimes des reines de France : depuis le commencement de la monarchie jusqu’à Marie Antoinette
Letters written in France, to a friend in London : between the month of November 1794, and the month of May 1795
Histoire chronologique de la Grande Chancelerie de France
Histoire generale de Portugal
Histoire de Dannemarc
Treaties and grants from the country powers to the East India company
A complete history of Algiers; to which is prefixed, an epitome of the general history of Barbary, from the earliest times: interspersed with many curious passages and remarks, not touched on by any writer whatever
A Short account of the first settlement of the provinces of Virginia, Maryland, New-York, New-Jersey, and Pensylvania
Lettre aux Espagnols-Américains
Memoirs of the reign of George III. to the session of Parliament ending A.D. 1793