Manuscript Department
Rudolf von Ems, Weltchronik, 14th century, shelf mark: Ms. Rh. 15, f. 53v-54r
The Manuscript Department of the Zentralbibliothek Zürich (ZB) was established in 1964 and houses manuscripts dating from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The origins of the collection can be categorised as follows:
Manuscripts of the former City Library (established in 1629)
History, politics, Reformation theology, German literature, education, natural sciences, genealogy and heraldry
Manuscripts of the former Cantonal Library (established in 1835)
Theology, history, literature, natural sciences and music from medieval monasteries (Rheinau, Fraumünster and the Grossmünster)
Manuscripts of the Zentralbibliothek Zürich (acquired since establishment in 1916)
Further acquisition in all subjects.
Gottfried Keller's desk pad, 19th century, shelf mark: Ms. GK 8b (detail)
Special collections of manuscripts
Legacy gifts, autograph collections, collections of letters, publishers', archives, family archives, guild archives, corporate archives, public deeds and honorary degrees, chronicles of Zurich municipalities, Hebrew manuscripts (with Heidenheim collection), Oriental manuscripts
Reference library in Reading Room of Manuscript Department
Literature regarding book and library history, history of papermaking and watermarks, binding history, codicology and palaeography. Printed catalogues of manuscripts held at Swiss and foreign libraries as well as reference works on genealogy and heraldry (City of Zurich)