Treasures of the Bodleian Libraries

For over 400 years, the Bodleian Libraries have collected – by gift and by purchase – some of the most important and beautiful books, manuscripts, maps and other works in the world.

You can discover 12 of these incredible treasures this summer, in our free exhibitions at the Weston Library.

On display in Gifts and Books

Open until 29 October, find these treasures in our exhibition Gifts and Books.

Qur'an, 1550

This exquisitely decorated copy of the Qur’an was made in Iran in 1550 and has been treasured ever since by all who possessed it, including at least two Indian princes.

See it in Gifts and Books, item number 1

MS. Bodl. Or. 793

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Illustration of the Adoration of the Magi (Book of Hours)

This touching illustration of the Adoration of the Magi is one of the Bodleian’s newest treasures. It was removed from its parent manuscript, a late 15th-century prayer book, sometime before the book arrived in the Bodleian. See the two together for the first time in about 200 years.

See it in Gifts and Books, item number 9

MS. Douce 311 adds. 2

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The Ormesby Psalter

The Ormesby Psalter is one of the masterpieces of East Anglian art. This lavishly decorated book of psalms was a gift to Norwich Cathedral in the 1280s or 1290s. It has a protective ‘chemise’ wrapper made from animal skin.

See this in Gifts and Books, item number 15

MS. Douce 366

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Shakespeare's First Folio

Mr William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies is the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, 400 years old this year. Without this book we now call the First Folio, the global spread of Shakespeare simply would not have happened.

See this in Gifts and Books, item number 26

Arch. G c.8

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Embroidered bookbinding by Elizabeth I

A young Princess Elizabeth – the future Elizabeth I – probably embroidered this silk, silver and gold binding as a gift for her new stepmother, Katherine Parr, in 1544.

See this in Gifts and Books, item number 28

MS. Cherry 36

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Percy Bysshe Shelley's guitar

In around April 1882, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley gave this guitar from Pisa to his friend Jane Williams, who had a beautiful singing voice. Along with the guitar, he also gave her a copy of his poem, 'With a guitar. To Jane.'

See this in Gifts and Books, item number 39

Shelley relics 1

Tolkien's illustration for 'The Hobbit', 'Conversation with Smaug'

In this illustration to The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, made invisible by a magic ring, speaks with the dragon Smaug. This vibrant illustration is one of a set of 5, painted by Tolkien in the summer of 1937 for the first American edition of the book.

See this in Gifts and Books, item number 64

MS. Tolkien Drawings 30

Shirley Hughes' illustration from 'Dogger' (1977)

These evocative illustrations from Dogger (1977) by Shirley Hughes, one of Britain’s most loved author-illustrators, explore the different emotions flowing through her story, which has at its heart a moment of giving.

See this in Gifts and Books, item number 71

MS. 7164/30

Codex Mendoza

The extraordinary Codex Mendoza compiles information about Aztec history and society. It was illustrated by Mexican artists, then annotated in Spanish. These pages show the regular tribute given to Moctezuma II by provinces in his empire in the 1530s or 1540s.

See this in Gifts and Books, item number 74

MS. Arch Selden A. 1, 24v

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The Kennicott Bible (1476)

This magnificent illuminated Hebrew Bible was produced in La Coruña in 1476, not long before the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Using human shapes to form his letters, the proud artist writes 'I, Joseph son of Haim, drew and completed this book'.

See this in Alphabets Alive! Case 'B is for Body'

MS. Kennicott 1

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Hornbook

Before printed books were so commonly available, children sometimes learned to read with help from a little tablet, on which was written the letters of the alphabet covered by a layer of transparent horn. These hornbooks are rare survivors.

See this in Alphabets Alive! Case 'C is for Crisscross row'

Opie V 33

Sheldon Tapestry Map of Oxfordshire (c.1590)

Woven in wool and silk, this magnificent map shows the Tudor landscape from the Cotswolds to Surrey. Oxford, central London and the Uffington White Horse are depicted in outstanding detail. It's the largest map in the Bodleian's collections, measuring about 20 feet by 13 feet.

Find it in Blackwell Hall, on the left hand wall

(R) Gough Maps 261

Find out more about the Sheldon Tapestry

Treasures of the Bodleian Libraries

Treasures of the Bodleian Libraries

On display in Gifts and Books

Qur'an, 1550

Illustration of the Adoration of the Magi (Book of Hours)

The Ormesby Psalter

Shakespeare's First Folio

Embroidered bookbinding by Elizabeth I

Percy Bysshe Shelley's guitar

Tolkien's illustration for 'The Hobbit', 'Conversation with Smaug'

Shirley Hughes' illustration from 'Dogger' (1977)

Codex Mendoza

On display in Alphabets Alive!

The Kennicott Bible (1476)

Hornbook

On display in Blackwell Hall

Sheldon Tapestry Map of Oxfordshire (c.1590)

Keep in touch

Bodleian Libraries

Useful links

Treasures of the Bodleian Libraries

Treasures of the Bodleian Libraries

On display in Gifts and Books

Qur'an, 1550

Illustration of the Adoration of the Magi (Book of Hours)

The Ormesby Psalter

Shakespeare's First Folio

Embroidered bookbinding by Elizabeth I

Percy Bysshe Shelley's guitar

Tolkien's illustration for 'The Hobbit', 'Conversation with Smaug'

Shirley Hughes' illustration from 'Dogger' (1977)

Codex Mendoza

On display in Alphabets Alive!

The Kennicott Bible (1476)

Hornbook

On display in Blackwell Hall

Sheldon Tapestry Map of Oxfordshire (c.1590)

Keep in touch

Bodleian Libraries

Useful links

Information for visitors