Avery Classics Collection

Avery Classics Collection

The Avery Classics Collection is the rare book collection of Avery Library and one of the largest architectural rare book collections in the world. Its strengths reflect the Library's original subject scope, established by Avery's founders in 1890: architecture, archaeology, urbanism and the decorative arts.

Overview | Working with the Collection | Image Requests | Avery Classics Online | Recent Acquisitions

01_VredemandeVries_ErstBuch_website Hans Vredeman de Vries. Das erst Buch, gemacht auff die zwey Colomnen Dorica vnd Ionica, sampt jren podien, bases, cornicen, capitelen, architraben.... Antwerp, 1576-1578. AA560 V98 F
02_Corb_website Le Corbusier. Poème de l'angle droit. Paris, [1955]. AA653 J3 P754 F
03_Cleveland_website Eighty-Two Views of Cleveland. Cleveland, [190?]. AA735 C5 Ei44 S
06_MichiganStove_website Michigan Stove Company. Specimens of leading specialties from the assortment of the Michigan Stove Company : "The world's best" Garland stoves and ranges. Buffalo, [ca. 1880-1901]. AT3258 M582 1880
05_Stroitel’naia promyshlennost’ 1932.04_website Stroitelʹnai︠a︡ promyshlennostʹ. April 1932. AB St835
07_Pozzo_website Andrea Pozzo. Rules and examples of perspective, proper for painters and architects, etc. London, 1707. AA2710 P872 F
04_Turgot_Paris_14_website Louis Bretez. Plan de Paris, commencé l'année 1734. Dessiné et gravé sous les ordres de Messire Michel Étienne Turgot [et al.] Achevé de graver en 1739.... [Paris?, 1739]. AA1045 B75 FF

 

 

Overview

  • Avery Classics contains approximately 40,000 printed volumes published over seven centuries, from Leon Battista Alberti’s De re aedificatoria (1485) to the recent limited edition volume, Olafur Eliasson’s Your House (2006).
  • The Classics collection also has important holdings of graphic suites, periodicals, manuscripts, broadsides, photographs, and printed ephemera.
  • All Avery books that were produced before 1801 are in Classics. The collection also includes significant editions of major works created after 1800, as well as works that possess distinctive physical characteristics, such as special bindings, exceptional printing, innovative design, autograph inscriptions, or other signs of former ownership.
  • Notable special collections within Classics are the Trade Catalog Collection, which is one of the largest collections of catalogs of the American building trades anywhere, and the American Viewbook Collection, which includes books, pamphlets, and brochures that document cities, towns, and buildings throughout the United States.

 

Working with the Collection

To Request an Item:

  • Due to COVID-19, appointments are temporarily limited to Columbia University affiliates. Questions about your affiliation status? Email us! 
  • All items must be requested ahead of your visit. Turnaround times will vary depending on the materials requested as offsite materials may take longer than usual to arrive on campus. 
  • If you are a Columbia University affiliate please fill out this form in advance of your visit or email us with the title, author, and call number of the item(s) you want. Readers are limited to 5 items per appointment.

 

To Schedule a Class:

  • We are temporarilty suspending the scheduling of in-person classes due to COVID-19. Email us to discuss remote alternatives. 

 

Reading Room Policies:

  • Reader registration
    All Avery Classics readers must complete a reader registration form, valid for the academic calendar year, before arriving at Avery for their appointment. A pdf of the form will be emailed to you when your appointment is confirmed.
  • Photo identification cards
    Readers must present traceable photo identification, such as a valid Columbia ID, passport, or driver's license. Photos of that ID should be sent with your completed registration form.

 

What to expect at your visit:

  • Face masks must be worn at all times per University policy. Face shields are also permitted. However, latex gloves will not be allowed for the safety of our materials.
  • You will be asked to wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling your requested materials.
  • Staff may ask you to move away from the table as they adjust any supports or demonstrate safe handling of materials.
  • Briefcases, large purses, bags, coats and umbrellas must be checked with the reading room attendant.
  • Pencils or laptops only are permitted for note taking. 
  • No food or drink is allowed in the reading room.

 

Image Requests

  • For personal use
    At the discretion of the assistant in the Classics collections, readers may photograph items for personal reference. Use of tripods and flash is prohibited.
  • For publication
    Avery's Digital Imaging Studio is closed for new high-resolution photography through the end of December 2020. We may be able to offer lower-resolution alternatives. Please contact us with questions and be as specific as possible regarding the desired image and intended use. Photographic and/or reproduction fees may be charged for an image request. For general terms and conditions, consult Digital Imaging Services. Please note that photography may not be available or possible due to the physical condition of objects. It is the patron's responsibility to clear all rights for works of art protected by copyright.
  • In all cases images of Avery Classics collection materials should be properly cited. A full citation includes Avery's credit line : 

Avery Classics, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. 

       See image captions at left for other useful citation information.

 

Avery Classics Online

 

Recent Acquisitions

Avery Classics maintains an active acquisitions program through gift and purchase. To view lists of recent acquisition highlights, select from the following links:

Last updated Jan. 20, 2016