Library
The CSMC Reference Library currently houses more than 12,000 books, periodicals and databases on manuscript research and related fields, including some rare and hard-to-find publications. The library's collection is constantly growing.
Equipment
The library is equipped with a colour book scanner, four desks and one dedicated PC workstation for selected catalogues and databases. The university's WLAN is available and laptop computers may be used on all desks.
‘J.P. Gumbert Special Collection’ at CSMC
Thanks to the generous support of the University of Hamburg, the CSMC was able to purchase an important section of the late Professor Johan Peter Gumbert’s (1936-2016) private book collection in May 2017. From 1979 to 2001, Gumbert was Professor, and later Professor Emeritus, of Western Palaeography and Codicology at Leiden University. with a focus on Latin and Dutch manuscripts. As a frequent guest at the University of Hamburg, Professor Gumbert was associated with the CSMC from its very beginning as well as with the COMSt-Network (Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies). The 1,700 works on codicology and palaeography annotated with various handwritten comments by J. P. Gumbert are available at the CSMC library as the ‘J. P. Gumbert’s Special Collection’. They are almost completely catalogued and already listed under the shelfmark group MK Gum. in the campus catalogue. The annotations and addenda have been registered accurately and comprehensively.
Manuscript Identification Service
Heirlooms, souvenirs or offers at antique fairs and auctions – manuscripts from all over the world are still appreciated/treasured as works of art or collector's items. But often the origin, content or the material cannot be easily identified. Our researchers and conservators examine your manuscripts, provide information about the items and advise you on proper handling and storage.
Request a personal appointment at: manuscript-cultures@uni-hamburg.de( manuscript-cultures"AT"uni-hamburg.de)