"The Royal College of Physicians has been collecting books for its library since it was founded in 1518, and as a collection, it was unusual for the time, in that it was purely medical-based. Most libraries were more generalised, as books were still quite expensive and rare, so owning anything was impressive. A library that mainly, if not exclusively, collected medical books was exceptionally so."
"Just as you might expect for an exhibition of medical books, it opens with an open copy of a book about the human skeleton - in this case, published in Basel in 1543 and for many years the leading text on the human body. A book described in the exhibition as non-medical is from a German bishop extolling the merits of living an honourable life, but in a way, with the modern acceptance of the merits of good mental health, maybe it's medical after all."
"One particularly curious book is a landscape orientation, with the book wider than it is tall, which they say made it easier to draw animals for study. It's open on a picture of an octopus. Another with the first known drawing of an orangutan is probably by someone who didn't see the animal and had it described to them later. It really does just look like an old man."
A collection from the Royal College of Physicians, formed from acquisitions since 1518, emphasizes medical works exclusively. The display in central London highlights a 1543 Basel anatomical text on the human skeleton and includes a non-medical moral treatise noted for its relevance to mental health. Volumes range from a 99mm miniature to very large folios. A landscape-format book opened to an octopus illustration and a plate showing the first known orangutan drawing are notable curiosities. Exhibits explain the RCP's relocations across London and their impact on the library. A small case demonstrates printing and bookbinding techniques. Conservation needs require dim lighting and restricted access.
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