Collections Gallery
The gallery features over 40 rare and fascinating items that tell the story of the Library’s unique collections.
The Rylands was founded by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband John Rylands. In the Collections Gallery explore the world-class manuscripts, rare books and archives and discover how the collections have grown since the library opened in 1900.
See an intricately decorated Jewish marriage contract, a pocket-sized 15th century Icelandic manuscript and beautiful 19th century Chinese Buddhist drawings. At the centre of the gallery is The Manchester Odyssey, the oldest known surviving copy of Homer’s Odyssey in book form on parchment.
