The Library’s Special Collections houses rare books, manuscripts and archival materials which are important sources for teaching and research. The rare book collection consists of Chinese rare books published from the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) to the end of Qianlong reign period (1795) of the Qing dynasty, and Western rare books published before 1900. A collection of Shang dynasty oracle bones is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. Significant archival materials included David Hawkes papers, Maurice and Judith Freeman papers and the Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee records. The manuscripts held are particularly strong in works of Hong Kong writers and literati, as well as contemporary Chinese writers and poets such as Gao Xingjian (a Nobel Prize winning author) and Bei Dao.

Some of the items we may see include:

Books

1. Collection of Seals from Nenger Studio (能爾齋印譜 ), 1704
2. Complete Library of the Four Treasures (四庫全書), 1736-1795

3. Mason, George Henry. The costume of China: illustrated by sixty engravings with explanations in English and French. London: Printed for W. Miller by S. Gosnell, 1800.

4. Eustachi, Bartolomeo. Tabulae Anatomicae, Amstelaedami: Apud R. & G. Wetstenios, 1722

Art Works

5. Li. King-hong. Ink Butterfly with Colophon.
6. Gao Xingjian. Ink Sketch, 1999 (Gao was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2000)

The Docent

Ms L.F. Li, the Library’s Head of Special Collections at the Chinese University of Hong Kong will conduct our visit and describe many of the important pieces contained in the collection.

Programme Coordinator: Ms Connie Carmichael

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Meeting place and time - please assemble at University Station (East Rail) at the Statue of Democracy at 9:30

Admission: $50 on the day

A table will be booked at Lee Wo Sing College for a self-paying lunch on the day. When you reserve a spot for the tour, please indicate if you would like to stay for lunch.

Please email your reservation to connie.carmichael@gmail.com