Rare Books and Architectural Plan to Undergo Urgent Conservation Through Collaborative Partnership
Conservation of rare documents is vital to safeguarding such treasures as part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s cultural heritage for generations to come.
This work is vital for the University’s Special Collections and Archives team, who have teamed up with Pembrokeshire Archives to undertake conservation work on rare volumes and one architectural plan has been withdrawn from teaching and public access in recent years due to their fragile condition.
Dating from 1520 to 1905, these items show varying degrees of damage and wear, much of which occurred prior to their acquisition by UWTSD’s Special Collections, The Roderic Bowen Library and Archives. The conservation work, which is highly skilled and intricate, will take several weeks to complete.
Among the volumes selected for conservation are Captain James Cook’s A Second Voyage Round the World (1776) and John White’s Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales (1790), written by the surgeon of the First Fleet expedition to Botany Bay. Both works will support teaching on decolonisation and dark heritage.
The project also includes the conservation of Parochiale Curatorum (1520). Bound with the remains of a discarded manuscript, this volume offers a fascinating example of early sixteenth-century recycling and will support teaching on early modern literature, including modules that explore the book as a physical object.
Timothy Sheldrake’s Botanicum Medicinale (1759) will also undergo conservation. Featuring 120 finely detailed copperplate engravings of medicinal plants, it is considered one of the most visually striking works in the collection.
Thanks to a generous legacy from a former student, UWTSD is also able to mark the 300th anniversary of Thomas Pennant’s birth by conserving his A Tour in Wales, Volume I (1778). Pennant is often described as the father of Cambrian tourism, with later travellers frequently carrying his book as a guide. The restored volume will provide an invaluable resource for the study of Welsh history and culture.
In addition to the rare books, an architectural plan for the proposed new common room at Trinity Training College, dating from 1905, will also be conserved. Designed by architect Ernest V. Collins, who was responsible for many Trinity College buildings, the plan is currently affected by surface dirt, heavy curling and multiple tears. Conservation will enable the plan to be used in teaching and exhibited alongside the University’s collection of Trinity College architectural drawings.
Once returned, the conserved items will once again support teaching and learning across the University. They will also feature in exhibitions and open days, allowing wider audiences to engage with these remarkable materials. Plans are underway to display the items alongside ‘before and after’ images, offering insight into the conservation process and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
UWTSD is proud to offer students access to exceptional collections of archives, rare books and manuscripts, many of national and international significance. The conservation of these items will ensure that students continue to benefit from the inspirational and enriching experience of working directly with original historical materials.
Siân Collins, UWTSD’s Head of Special Collections, said:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to make these fabulous items accessible once again to our students, as well as to researchers and the wider community. Our Rare Books collections are first and foremost fragile physical objects, and they require specialised curatorial care to ensure their continued safety and availability. We’re excited to be working with conservators at NCS and PALS to make this happen.”
Claire Orr, Archives Manager at Pembrokeshire Archives, said:
“Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies Service is delighted to play a part in improving access to these important items. Collaborative partnerships allow for greater impact, and this project is an excellent example of what can be achieved through shared expertise.”
Chris Woods, Director of the National Conservation Service, said:
“This project is excellent news. We are always keen to support archives and libraries in preserving their historic collections and improving access to them. This collaborative initiative with UWTSD reflects the type of partnership we are proud to foster through our work with Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476