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Rare Books and Fine Press Collection

Rare Book Collections

The John Peace Collection of Texana

Holdings in this collection cover three major periods of the history of Texas. Rare and unique books collected by Mr. John Peace of San Antonio cover the Spanish Colonial, Mexican Republic and Republic of Texas periods. Among the rare works from the Spanish Colonial period is the 1792 publication of Fray Juan Domingo Arricivita, describing in detail Franciscan operations in Texas. Arricivita describes, among other things, the topography, hydrology, natural resources and Indian tribes of Texas during the late 1700. Of equal importance and uniqueness for the period under the Republic of Mexico is the comprehensive work of Mexico's laws by Basilio José Arrillaga. Like Gamel's "Laws of Texas", also in the John Peace Collection, Arrillaga's "Recopilación de Leyes, Decretos y Bandos", published between 1828 and 1838 defines the laws of the Republic of Mexico which at the time included and governed Texas. For the Republic of Texas period, this collection contains many Texas imprints listed in the Streeter Collection, including Raines' 1898 edition of "Enduring Laws of the Republic of Texas"; a copy of The Constitution of Texas, discovered to be a forgery during the sweeping investigation conducted by Thomas Taylor, and the April 6 Law of 1830 which restricted further colonization of Texas by settlers from the United States. The John Peace Collection is also rich in important works from the period for the Annexation of Texas, as well as for the war with Mexico. There is also the keystone work for the period of the Texas Revolution which is the much discussed diary by Colonel José Enrique de la Peña, which is available on microfiche. This collection is cataloged.

The Richard Warden Collection of Southwestern and Northwestern Americana

The Richard Warden Collection consists of rare first edition books covering a very wide spectrum of this nation's history. It is rich in subject areas which range from the history, literature and art of most of this country's native American tribes to the earliest publications on the gold rush, overland travel, military expeditions, personal narratives of life on the frontier, reports to Congress by Lewis and Clark and reports by other exploratory and scientific expeditions ordered by Congress. Among notable works by American naturalists is the 1849 edition of John James Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America." Of later vintage is the American Heritage 1966 edition of "The Original Water-Color Paintings by John James Audubon for The Birds of America." Works of literature by many well known American writers of the West are also represented in this collection. This collection is cataloged.

The Ralph Haywood Cameron Collection of Architecture

This is the personal library on architecture of Ralph Haywood Cameron, a well known San Antonio architect. Rarest among the many extraordinary holdings in this collection is "Roberts Sketches in Egypt and Nubia with Historical Descriptions by William Brockedon and Lithographs by Louis Haghe." This particular set of lithographs has been exhibited at the McNay Museum of Art in San Antonio, and was greatly received by the San Antonio community. "Roberts Sketches : The Holy Land..." is a twin portfolio of lithographs, also by Louis Haghe and also in the Cameron Collection.

The Civil War Collection

Texas' involvement in the Civil War is the major focus of this collection although it does not exclude general Civil War rarities. It's holdings chronicle the Civil War experience of Texas' volunteers in the armies of the Confederacy and of the Union. Among the many of unique publications in this collection is William Williston Heartsill's "Fourteen Hundred and 91 Days in the Confederate Army..." Published in Marshall, Texas by Heartsill in 1876, this book has original photographs of each of the W.P. Lane Rangers affixed on each page.

The Kathryn Stoner O'Conner Collection

Mexico's history is the focus of this collection. All the books are in the Spanish language. Of note, is the 1777 edition of the multi-volume work by the Reverend Benito Geronymo Feyjo, "Cartas Eruditas, y Curiosas...Del Teatro Critico Universal..." This work encompasses the history of theater. Also of note in this collection is an 1836 edition of Basilio José Arrillaga's "Recopilación de Leyes...de la Republica Mexicana," and the 1849 edition of "Historia de México" by Lucas Alamán. This collection is owned by the Sons of the Republic of Texas and placed in curatorship at the UTSA Library, Archives and Special Collections Department. This collection is not cataloged.

Fine Press Collections

Encino Press

Established in 1964 by William Witliff with the intent of designing books which "...provide an atmosphere for the writer's writing, and interpret typographically what he's done with his writing..." the Encino Press collection represents the ultimate in fine printing by a Texas regional press. Subject areas vary and are regional. This collection is cataloged.

Texas Western Press Under The Direction of Carl Hertzog

For many years, Texas Western Press was synonymous with Carl Hertzog who was its director. Hertzog's distinct book designs advanced fine printing in Texas and placed Texas Western Press in the lead among fine presses in Texas. Subject areas are varied and regional. This collection is cataloged.