Special Collections
National Library of Finland
The Incunabula Collection
Collection materials in format
Analogue
The Incunabula Collection contains most, around 260, of the Helsinki University Library's ca. 420 incunabula (i.e. books printed before year 1501).
Collection description
The Incunabula Collection contains most, around 260, of the Helsinki University Library's ca. 420 incunabula (i.e. books printed before year 1501). The collection has been divided into three different sections (Ink. collection, Ink. k. collection and the Ink. F collection of folio sized books). Around one third of the library's incunabula are included in the A. E. Nordenskiöld Collection. Individual incunabula have also been placed in the library's other collections. Additionally, many printed religious books used in Finland during the Catholic era have been placed in the Manuscript Collection. The Incunabula Collection also includes around 20 post-incunabula, printed in the beginning of 16th century.
Collection languages
Material type
Books
Accrual status
Cumulative
Main collection
Special CollectionsParent collection
Special collections formed in the libraryRestrictions of use
Only for Special Collections Reading RoomCollection themes
Keywords
Cataloguing principles
The incunabula of the National Library of Finland have been catalogued in accordance with international standards, with as specific item data as possible. Title and author information have been recorded on edition level, and the records have been linked to international reference databases. On item level, provenance information, defects, book bindings and decorations and other markings have been specifically taken into account.
Catalogue information
The collection has been described in the reference database
More information about cataloguing
The collection has been described in the National Library Search.
Collection sizes
262
titles of publications
More info
Incunabula Short Title Catalogue (ISTC): http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/istc/
Gesamtkatalog der Wiegendrucke (GW): http://www.gesamtkatalogderwiegendrucke.de/
Signum
H Ink.
Provenance
The provenance of the collections is mixed: most of the books are quite recent acquisitions, book and collection purchases carried out in the 19th and 20th century. Small part of the books, on the other hand, came to Finland early on. The provenance of individual books is presented as specifically as possible in the item record.
Collector
Helsinki University Library
Acquisition policy
Mostly by donations.