By nicholasyeager in Uncategorized — Aug 29, 2015

Hidden Books @ University of Iowa's Special Collections Department

Columbian Hand Press adorns the entrance to the University of Iowa Special Collections Reading Room

I visited the University of Iowa's Special Collections library on Tuesday and Wednesday for a couple of hours. While I didn't know what I would find, I was hoping there'd be something.

The director, Greg Prickman took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to speak with me and talk about how the collection was amassed. There are quite a few incunabula (books printed before 1501) which were acquired from Classics professors donating their collections to permanent loans to purchases to fill out the history of printing subject area.

The Universal Penman by George Bickham at the University of Iowa Special Collections

The Universal Penman by George Bickham at the University of Iowa's Special Collections Reading Room

The Universal Penman by George Bickham X 3 @ UI Special Collections

I discovered that they have 4 writing manuals. Three copies of G. Bickham's Universal Penman from 1733 and two later dates as well as a 1585 copy of Scalzini's Il secretario.

EDIT:

Scalzini is known for his flourishes or "command of hand." He argued that a light touch and quick execution was necessary for a successful commercial scribe. Attacking his senior, Giovanni Francesco Cresci as spending too much time on careful execution and too-sharp a pen nib, Scalzini's scathing remarks became standard fare for writing-master wars.

Marcello Scalzini portrait @ 24. In the front of Il Secretario 1585 at the University of Iowa Special Collections — Marcello Scalzini portrait @ 25. In the front of Il Secretario 1585 at the University of Iowa Special Collections

Scalzini's Il Secretario 1585 at the University of Iowa Special Collections

An inverted manicule in the letterpress section of Il Secretario by Scalzini at the University of Iowa Special Collections

In visiting Iowa's Special Collections reading room, I was impressed by how inviting and comfortable it was as a first time reader to get acclimated. Each library has its own style, rules and etiquette. Iowa welcomes its scholars with a directness and warmth that made me feel welcome instantly. The system for searching and discovering material is straightforward as is the requesting of items for research.

I look forward to going back when I have more than a couple of hours to delve into their collection further.

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