Duke Humfrey's Night

On 15 October the Bodleian Libraries held a very special fundraising event which combined a drinks-and-canapés reception, musical entertainment, and slide show, and an opportunity to view at close hand some of the Libraries’ remarkable recent acquisitions and materials in urgent need of conservation. The evening was hosted by the Friends of the Bodleian and named after Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester, whose donation of some 300 manuscripts led to the construction of the beautiful Duke Humfrey’s Library in the fifteenth century. It was here that the guests could view – uncased – a selection of manuscripts, books, photographs, musical scores and rare artefacts ranging from the 12th to 21th century. The Libraries’ dedicated curators and conservators were on hand to share their knowledge and experience. The guests were invited to sponsor the items on display in order to help the Libraries replenish their funds. The response was fantastic with 17 out of the 57 items included in the handsome Duke Humfrey’s Night catalogue sponsored in full. A number of conservation projects attracted particular interest and multiple sponsorships: the Arabic Book on the constellations of the fixed stars; Felix Mendelssohn’s ‘Green Books’; the Edgar Wind papers. The total raised to date amounts to over £28,000.

In gratitude the donors received a specially commissioned keepsake, a card hand-printed in the Libraries’ own Bibliography Room and bearing an inscription from Sir Thomas Bodley’s very first Benefactors’ Register of 1604. Bookplates with the name of the donor or the person the donor wished to honour will remain with the respective item in perpetuity.

The evening’s success is a tribute to those who generously contributed much of their time and expertise: curators, conservators, graphic and web designers, photographers, hospitality and security staff. Thanks are also due to Bernard Quaritch Ltd, Maggs Bros. Ltd and Harwell Document Restoration Services for sponsoring the evening.

Sponsorship and other donations may be made by contacting the Friends’ Office.

The Administrator, Friends of the Bodleian, Bodleian Library, Oxford OX1 3BG. Tel: 01865 277234. Email: fob@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

The Duke Humfrey’s Night catalogue is available in pdf format here.

To view individual items click on the thumbnails in the Image Gallery below.

Acquisitions Gallery

Conservation Projects Gallery

A selection of photos of the event can be viewed in the Event Gallery 2011

Donations can also be made by credit or debit card online via the Bodleian Libraries Online Giving link below

Bodleian Libraries Online Giving