The Rylands collection
![[Zacharius. Detail from the Colonna Missal (Latin MS 36). The Rylands Collection Image Number jrl020309tr]](/searchresources/imagecollections/university/rylands/imagemax20kb,120500,en.jpg)
In this page:
This collection displays highlights spanning five millennia from the vast resources of the Special Collections Division of the John Rylands University Library. It now contains over 6000 images and we are adding new images regularly. Additions from Jan 2009 .
Among the types of material included in this wide ranging collection are examples of:
- Decorated manuscripts, including illuminated medieval Books of Hours, Persian Shahnamas and Chinese drawings and paintings
- Papyri including the renowned St John fragment and other early biblical texts. For more papyrus images see Rylands Papyri
- Landmark works in typography including pages from the Gutenberg bible and works by Caxton, England's first printer
- Fine printing
- Key historical texts
- Letters
- Photographs
- Documents relating to social history and the history of science, technology and medicine
- Exquisite bookbindings, etc etc
Also included are images of the historic John Rylands Library building in Deansgate, Manchester which has recently been restored.
We welcome any comments about The Rylands Collection.
How to view
There are two ways to search and view the images. To find out which way suits you best please consult also our Introduction to Rylands Genizah.
Using LUNA
- The new entirely web-based viewer which does not require a plugin or other download
- Best for most collection users
- No username/password required for most University of Manchester collections
- Browse or search for images, bookmark them, share the URL
- Use a web widget to embed images from LUNA in other applications
Using insight JVA client viewer
- Provides some additional functionality for viewing insight collections
- Suitable for advanced users
- The collection is available to everyone but requires a username and password.
Use the username 'uman' and password 'est1824' unless JRUL, your Faculty or School has provided an alternative. - Requires client software to be available on your PC or Mac
Possible access methods for the JVA client viewer
A. Already installed on most public computers in The University of Manchester. From the Start bar double-click 'Luna insight' from the 'Library & Information' group of core programs, enter the username uman password est1824 (unless you have been provided with an alternative) and choose the collection you want to search.
B. Install the client software (versions are available for Windows or Macintosh) on your own computer.
Copyright and obtaining copies
The John Rylands Library [JRL], The University of Manchester, retains the copyright and publication rights for all images in this collection, unless otherwise stated in the data accompanying individual images.
You may use the images for private study without seeking permission. You may also use the images for strictly educational purposes (e.g. in MSPowerPoint presentations or in student handouts) without the need to obtain permission. However, in such cases you must acknowledge JRUL in this way: "Reproduced by courtesy of the University Librarian and Director, The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester".
For all other uses you must obtain from the JRL if you wish to reproduce images from the collection. Depending on the type of use you may be required to pay a reproduction fee. To apply for permission to reproduce images from our collections please complete and submit a Reproduction rights permission form.
We have attempted to ensure that copyright and intellectual property rights have been cleared for all items in this collection. If you believe you have a claim to rights on one of the images and do not wish it to be published in this way, please contact us .
Prints or high resolution copies of the images are available to on payment of a fee. If you then wish to reproduce the image(s) you must complete and submit the reproduction rights permission form.