NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 26 number 2 - Winter 2006

Rare Book Donated to Special Collections Research Center

By Lois Fischer Black, Special Collections Research Center

In fall 2005 Robert L. Hoffman (NCSU Department of Interdisciplinary Studies) donated a copy of Johann Grasshoff’s Aperta arca arcani artificiosissimi das ist: Eröffneter vnnd offenstehender Kasten der allergrösten vnd künstlichsten Geheimnüssen der Natur, des grossen vnd kleinen Bawers (Franckfort am Mayn: Johan Carl Vnckels Buchhändlers, 1623) in memory of his father, E. Lewis Hoffman. Bound with a copy of the author’s Ein Philosophischer und Chemischer Tractat: genannt Der kleine Baur: Bisshero lang verborgen, auch auss missgunst von etlichen hinderhalten unnd verfälscht (Strassburg: in verlegung Eberhardi Zetzneri, 1619), these texts on the history and philosophy of science will greatly enhance the collections of the Special Collections Research Center. The book originally formed part of E. Lewis Hoffman’s library. Individuals interested in donating historical research materials to the NCSU Libraries should call the Special Collections Research Center at (919) 515-2273 or call Jim Mulvey, library development, at (919) 515-3339.