Virginia Council Library, Williamsburg, Virginia, book boards

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

This collection is minimally processed and open for research.

Terms of access:

The Library believes that all or nearly all material in this collection is likely to be in the public domain, free of copyright restrictions. Visit our Permissions and Publishing page for more information about use of Special Collections materials. The library can provide copyright information upon request, but users are responsible for making their own determination about lawful use of collections materials.

Preferred citation:

MSS 16894, Virginia Council Library, Williamsburg, Virginia, book boards, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.44 Cubic Feet 1 small oversize flatbox
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

MSS 16894, Virginia Council Library, Williamsburg, Virginia, book boards, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains three book boards discovered in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library stacks in 2013. They were likely removed from volumes to be conserved or rebound by outside conservators before the University Library's conservation lab was established. Two board bear the gilt, red leather label "Virginia Council Office 1742" or the third contains an engraved bookplate of the Library of the Council of Virginia, which says "Virginia Council Chamber." These books were originally housed in the Capitol building in Williamsburg. This library was the most important public library in Colonial Virginia; the bookplates date from the mid-18th century. Relatively few books from this library are known to survive; although there are several in the Small Library. The volumes are most likely pre-1750 English legal works.

Acquisition information:
Unknown. Discovered in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library stacks in 2013.
Physical description:
Poor. Leather is degrading and peeling from the board in certain areas. Possible conservation work/specialty housing required.
Dimensions:
12X3X17 inches
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard