The former University Library Special Collections

In 1972 the John Rylands Library merged with the University of Manchester Library, and Deansgate's fine holdings were enriched further by the transfer of the University's Special Collections.

Foremost among these is the extensive collection of Renaissance literature from France and Italy assembled by Professor Richard Copley Christie (1830-1901), which was bequeathed to the University of Manchester in 1901.  Like Spencer, Christie had accumulated a substantial collection of Aldines, and as a result the Library now holds many duplicate and variant copies.  The Christie Collection also includes many fine bindings.

Other notable additions include:

• Walter Llewellyn Bullock's (1890-1944) collection of sixteenth- and seventeenth- century Italian literature;
• Robert Shackleton's (1919-86) collection of French and English publications relating to the Age of Enlightenment;
• the Medical printed collections of over 30,000 items are among the most important in Britain. The majority come from the Manchester Medical Society which was founded in 1834;
• and the Deaf Education collection which incorporates Abraham Farrar's (1861-1944) unparalleled collection of rare and valuable books on the history of surdo-mutism.

Petrarca, Francesco, 1304-1374. 'Le Cose Volgari'. Vinegia: Nelle case d'Aldo Romano, 1501. (Chrsitie Collection)

Further information about the Library's Special Collections can be found in the , and in .