A Special Collection Renaissance: The Herlufsholm Special Collection at the University Library of Southern Denmark

In 2014, investigations were begun into the Herlufsholm Special Collection at the University Library of Southern Denmark. The aim of this endeavor was to find, register, and promote hitherto unknown library materials. Since 2014, more than one hundred medieval manuscript fragments of varying sizes and from different centuries, along with rare pieces of incunabula and early prints, have been found in the collection. In addition, many of the collection’s monographies constitute rare and valuable first editions, often with hand colored illustrations and maps. The university library has now initiated the digitization of selected items from the collection, paving the way for new types of material promotion likely in cooperation with the university bookstore. In collaboration with the Cultural Heritage & Archaeometric Research Team at the SDU, the University Library of Southern Denmark has also initiated micro-xrf analysis on 16th and 17th Centuries book bindings in order to find and – if possible – read and identify medieval manuscript fragments and rare prints, hidden behind layers of paper and/or parchment. The x-ray analysis was inspired by the work of the Leiden University Libraries and Delft University of Technology. The method in question makes it possible to specify the chemical elements of the ink (e.g. iron, copper, zinc etc.) and even create a readable x-ray picture, based on the x-ray fluorescence spectra. Putting the spotlight on the rare Herlufsholm materials, this paper will probe various possible scenarios concerning the future presentation and promotion of the many special collection treasures.