Special Collections

This collection of antique books encompasses works on medicine, veterinary medicine, farriery, horsemanship, chemistry, pharmacy, physics, botany, agriculture, homeopathy, natural history, entomology, as well as dictionaries and humanistic works.

The collection was donated by the Institut Ramon Llull in Barcelona, an organisation dedicated to promoting Catalan language and culture. It includes a wide range of modern materials, from dictionaries and grammars to critical studies and monographs on Catalan literature. 

The collection, donated to the Scientific-Literary Academy of Milan, where Professor Inama served as Dean for 25 years, includes 355 volumes and 131 pamphlets. It features works on classical philology, historical linguistics, and the history of Trentino, mostly published in the 19th century.

The book collection of Professor A. Vogliano was partially donated by his family in 1957, following his passing, and subsequently in 2003. The collection comprises over four thousand rare and valuable volumes and pamphlets. 


 

This collection includes the personal library of Attilio Agnoletto, Professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Milan. The books cover topics ranging from the history of Christianity to contemporary history.

Acquired in 2002, the library of A. Varille contains ancient and rare volumes dedicated to the study of Pharaonic Egypt, of significant scientific and antiquarian value. 
 

This collection includes works by Alfredo Civita (1952-2017), Professor of Epistemology of Human Sciences and History of Psychology at the University of Milan, along with books from his personal library.

Anna Maria Brizio taught Medieval and Modern Art History at the University of Milan from 1957 to 1977. Her books and personal archive, donated at the end of her career, form a cornerstone of the library’s holdings.

The Antonello Gerbi Collection is part of a larger body of material distributed among several University libraries and originally formed from Antonello Gerbi’s personal library.

This collection includes books from the library of Daria Malaguzzi Valeri, wife of Antonio Banfi (1886-1957), who was Professor of History of Philosophy and Aesthetics at the University of Milan and served as a senator in 1948 and 1953.

The “Desio” Collection was donated to the Biblioteca di Scienze della Terra in 1997. It consists of over 2,000 books, 150 periodical series, and more than 12,000 offprints, as well as several atlases and geological maps, which are currently being catalogued. 
 

Donated by his heirs, Luciano and Roberto Bassani, the personal library of Attilio Momigliano reflects the research interests of the renowned literary historian and critic. Many volumes contain dedications, stamps, or handwritten annotations.

The Library holds several thousand auction catalogues, acquired through various donations over the years. The most represented auction houses include Christie’s (3,002 items), Finarte (1,416 items), Sotheby’s (861 items), and Semenzato (429 items).
 

Purchased by the Royal Academy of Science and Literature in Milan, this collection includes part of the personal library of Aurelio Pelazza (1879-1915), a student of Piero Martinetti and Professor of Philosophy at the Royal High School of Aosta.

In 2015, Scotti Tosini, Professor at the Polytechnic of Milan, donated a book collection of 566 volumes on urban history and Italian painting from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a particular focus on Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo and Divisionism.

The collection comprises around 200 monographs and features significant works in linguistics and literature, as well as sociology and geography, including volumes on Aboriginal culture and the influence of immigration in Australia.

The collection consists of 1,616 volumes from the former Austrian Cultural Institute, which were donated to the University of Milan in 2002. It mainly includes critical studies and monographs on modern and contemporary Austrian literature, along with selected works on Austrian culture, art, and history.

This collection documents the literary phenomenon of the first three decades of twentieth-century Spain, specifically that of popular magazines and periodical publications of short novels (novela corta). This genre played a crucial role in the renewal of illustration as an art form in Spain.

This collection includes literary, linguistic, historical, and artistic works related to the cultures of the Basque Country and Galicia. It features numerous works in Basque (Euskera) and Galician. The collection houses donations from the Etxepare Basque Institute and the Secretaría Xeral de Política Lingüística of the Xunta de Galicia.

Benvenuto Maria Disertori (Trento 1887–Milan 1969) was an Italian musicologist and engraver. In 1969, the University acquired his musicological library, which consists of nearly 1,000 items, including monographs, journals, and scores. Disertori was also a collector of antique musical instruments, now housed in the Museum of Musical Instruments at the Sforza Castle and the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. 

The Goren-Goldstein Centre collection, housed within the Library, comprises a selection of monographs on the philosophical aspects of Judaism, along with history texts and biographies.

The library of Zeno Birolli, art historian and professor at Brera, reflects his research interests in contemporary art. Donated in 2015, it complements an earlier collection belonging to his family.

This collection consists of 322 musical scores of instrumental and vocal music from the 19th and 20th centuries, including rare editions. It was donated in 2021 by the library of Villa Valvitiano in Perugia, which had been the Buitoni family residence since the 1950s.

This collection consists of volumes in English, donated by the British Council in Milan, and is dedicated to the literature of the United Kingdom.

The collection, named after the professor at the University of Milan, focuses on the social and economic history of Switzerland, particularly Italian-speaking Switzerland. The Library also preserves the Caizzi Archive.

The Camões Collection was established between the 1990s and 2000s thanks to contributions from the Instituto Camões in Lisbon. The collection consists of rare or hard-to-find books, at least in Italy, and includes over 1,300 monographs. 

In 2012, Carlo Carotti, a film enthusiast and scholar of contemporary history, entrusted the Library with his collection of approximately 3,000 volumes and serials on cinema, radio, and television, under a long-term loan agreement.

The collection was donated by Alda Castagnoli Manghi, formerly a professor of Nordic Languages and Literatures at “La Sapienza.” It comprises around 400 volumes covering the entire Scandinavian region, including critical studies and literary works, some of which are rare 19th-century editions. The collection is currently being catalogued.

The collection, consisting of around 500 monographs, includes texts in French and works on French literature and culture from the vast personal library of Manlio Castiglioni, an eclectic intellectual, passionate about mountaineering and philosophy, who for several years served as the director of the Italian Touring Club.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the publishing house Centro Di was a key reference point for the production of innovative catalogues and the dissemination of art and artist books. In 2005, the University acquired approximately 22,000 volumes.
 

The collection was acquired in 1895 by the Library of the Scientific-Literary Academy of Milan. It includes works on Italian and Lombard history, medieval and modern history, the Risorgimento, and the relationship between Church and State.

The Charta Collection contains the complete catalogue of Charta, an independent publishing house, donated in 2013 by its founder Giuseppe Liverani. The publications focus on contemporary artists, photographers, architects, and designers.

The collection of the Italian-Romanian Centre for Historical Studies is dedicated to the history of Eastern European countries, with a particular focus on Romania. The serials within the collection can be consulted at the Law and Humanities Library.

The collection of the Interdepartmental Centre for Swiss History is entirely dedicated to the history of Switzerland and the Canton of Ticino, with a special section for serials.

The CNR Collection includes 1,261 texts (including serials) dedicated to Italian local history in the medieval and modern periods.

Containing around 500 texts on Italian industries and banks, some published by the companies themselves, this collection is particularly valuable for researchers in economic and industrial history. It continues to grow with relevant publications.

This collection consists of materials from the former Centre for the Study of the United States in Milan. It comprises over 10,000 volumes in English, dedicated to the study of American literature, art, and history.

The Suvin Collection brings together over 1,500 volumes, including major works on linguistics, sociology, literary criticism, and literary history. Published between 1950 and 2006, the majority are in English, with some in French, German, and Slavic languages

Darko R. Suvin, a university professor, literary and theatre critic, poet, and writer, donated his extensive and varied library collection to the University in 2011.

The Library houses approximately 2,000 volumes, primarily on theatre studies.

The collection includes the library of Dino Formaggio, a student of Antonio Banfi and Professor of Aesthetics at the University of Milan from 1979 to 1984. The texts trace his extensive cultural, philosophical, and intellectual journey.

The collection includes part of the personal library of Giorgio Dolfini (1927-1983), Professor of German Language and Literature, philologist and literary scholar. It contains 185 monographs on German philology and linguistics, with many rare texts published mainly in the 1950s and 1960s.

This collection contains the personal library of Jerome Melvin Edelstein, a bibliographer and collector. It includes works on bibliography, the history of books, and publishers’ catalogues.

During his teaching career, E. Edel gathered collections from other German Egyptologists, including H. Bonnet, A. Wiedemann, F. Bilabel, W. Wreszinski, A. Scharff, and H. Ranke. The collection was acquired by the University of Milan in 1999. 
 

The collection, named after the professor at the University of Milan, was acquired by the University in 1954. It comprises approximately 10,000 works, including books and pamphlets, primarily on the history of Italian law.

Eugenio Gara was a music critic, particularly renowned for his studies on vocal interpretation and the history of Italian opera. His collection, donated in 2000, comprises nearly 3,000 volumes on theatre and music history, critical studies, and musical scores.

This collection includes a significant portion of the personal library of Felice Mondella (1928-2008), Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Milan. The volumes reflect the themes and topics of his academic discipline.

Dedicated to the history of Milan from a historical and artistic perspective, this carefully curated collection comprises 157 volumes on history, urban planning, culture, music, and performance arts.

The ISIAO Collection (Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente) houses rare book and journal collections on Oriental and African studies, originating from the Istituto per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente (IsMEO) and the Istituto Italo-Africano.

 

Degrada, Professor of Music History at the University of Milan, donated part of his private library to the institution. The collection comprises 5,363 items, including essays and treatises, monographs on individual composers, vinyl records, and musical scores.

Part of a wider collection distributed across various university libraries, this collection holds 1,596 monographs, primarily dedicated to French literature, but also covering English, German, Spanish, and Russian literary traditions.

The Antonello Gerbi Collection forms part of a broader archive distributed across several university libraries. Originally, it comprised the personal library of Antonello Gerbi in its entirety. 

Donated to the University in 1991, the collection consists of 1,639 volumes, mainly focused on population geography, economic development, and urban studies, with texts published in the 20th century.

The collection consists of the personal library of Professor Giorgio Lanaro, a historian of philosophy at the University of Milan, reflecting his research interests and teaching commitments.

The collection, donated to the University in 2006, consists of over 4,000 volumes on literature, art, and classical philology. Giosuè Bonfanti was a 20th-century writer and literary critic.

This collection contains the extensive research library of Giovanni Vailati (1863-1909), a key figure in Italian Pragmatism. After a brief university career, he moved into secondary school teaching.

This collection focuses on Giulio Preti (1911-1972). After graduating in Pavia and establishing a connection with Antonio Banfi, he became a professor of History of Philosophy at the University of Florence.

The collection comprises part of the personal library of Giuseppe Rensi (1871-1941), a professor at the Universities of Florence, Messina, and Genoa. His work developed an original form of pessimistic and irrationalist scepticism.

The collection, donated by the Goethe-Institut, primarily consists of German-language volumes covering literary and culture studies in German-speaking countries. It also includes works on philosophy, history, social sciences, visual arts, and theatre. 

The collection comprises approximately 2,600 texts on international political history, including sources, general works, European and non-European foreign policy, travel accounts, and traveller profiles.

The collection includes books from the personal library of Guido Davide Neri (1935-2001), a student of Antonio Banfi, Enzo Paci, and Dino Formaggio. He taught Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Verona from 1968 until his passing.

The History of Medicine Collection holds rare books and serials documenting medical knowledge from the 16th century to the present day.

In 2019, the Ishibashi Foundation donated approximately 500 volumes to the Library, focusing on Japanese painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Many of these are valuable editions, richly illustrated and often difficult to obtain even in Japan.

Carefully preserved in its original integrity, the Veterinary Surgical Library Collection includes 808 titles, among them one manuscript, 45 antique works, and numerous rare publications dating from 1831 to 1941.

The collection comprises the personal library of Professor Hedvig Agda Margareta Giordano Lokrantz (1935-2004), a scholar of Nordic languages and literatures, comparative literature, and medieval Latin. The collection currently holds 354 monographs. 

The library of Luigi Castiglioni, a Latinist and professor at the University of Milan, comprises approximately 2,000 volumes. Acquired by the University in 1961, it covers subjects related to classical philology and Latin literature.

Pestalozza contributed as a music critic to daily newspapers and specialist journals. A university lecturer and essayist, he was also an influential promoter in the field of music. The collection includes printed scores and essays on music history and criticism

The collection includes books from the personal library of Carlo Torelli and his brother Eugenio Torelli Viollier, founder of Corriere della Sera. It is complemented by the Torelli Archive.

Marco Rosci was a professor of Modern Art History in Milan, where he graduated under the guidance of Anna Maria Brizio, and later in Turin. His library reflects his field of study: Piedmontese and Lombard art from the modern and contemporary eras.

The collection comprises a selection from the personal library of Professor Scaramuzza Vidoni, formerly Professor of Spanish Literature. An esteemed scholar of Miguel de Cervantes, she was also a friend of Clara Janés and a specialist in her work. 

This collection consists of the personal library of Mario Dal Pra, Professor of History of Philosophy at the University of Milan from 1951 to his retirement in 1986. Dal Pra was also known for his civic engagement during the Resistance.

The collection, named after the professor of ecclesiastical law at the University of Milan, was acquired by the University in 1946. It consists of approximately 5,000 documents, primarily on canon law, spanning from the 16th to the 20th centuries

The collection consists of the library of Giuseppe Martini, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Milan and a key figure in the foundation of the Institute of Medieval and Modern History, now the Department of Historical Studies. The collection is supplemented by the Archive.

This section includes novels, biographies, and short stories that explore the intersection between medicine and literature, whether through their authors, characters, themes, or narratives.

The dollection consists of 3,627 volumes on various Slavic studies disciplines, donated by the family of Bruno Meriggi (1927-1970), a renowned Italian Slavist and founder of Slavic Studies at the University.

Consisting of 4,087 titles, the Nicola Lanzillotti-Buonsanti Collection offers a historical record of the research and academic activities of the Royal Higher School of Veterinary Medicine from 1807 to 1934.

Paolo D’Ancona, a student of Adolfo Venturi, devoted much of his research to Italian manuscript illumination. From 1907, he taught at the Accademia Scientifico-Letteraria di Milano. His collection became one of the founding cores of the Library.

Acquired by the University in 2000, the collection consists of 73 volumes filled with handwritten annotations by Paul Maas. It is all that remains of his private library, most of which was lost following the German philologist’s death in Oxford in 1964.

In 2006, Pierluigi De Vecchi, Professor of Modern Art History at the University of Milan, donated part of his library, which includes exhibition and museum catalogues, monographs on artists, and studies ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary art.

The collection consists of 347 volumes, primarily exhibition catalogues, donated by the library of the Poldi Pezzoli Museum in 1989 and 2012.

Renato Caccamo, judge at the Milan Court of Appeal, was also a passionate music enthusiast. The collection includes musical scores, monographs, and manuscripts, among which are rare French editions.

In 2008, Riccardo Allorto (Mosso Santa Maria 1921–Milan 2015) donated part of his personal library to the University. A graduate in piano and choral conducting, with a degree in Music History, Allorto dedicated his career primarily to music education. The Allorto Collection  includes a diverse range of items, such as monographs, scores, and vinyl records.

This collection houses the “Biblioteca bibliografica per lo studio dei beni librari e archivistici italiani” (Bibliographic Library for the Study of Italian Books and Archives) by Renzo Rizzi, a Milanese antiquarian bookseller. It also includes a selection of rare and antique works.

The collection, named after the geographer who taught at the University of Milan, was transferred to the University in 1964. It consists of 3,100 volumes on human geography, the history of cartography, and the history of exploration and geographical knowledge

The collection consists of around a hundred notable monographs dedicated to the history of the Italian Risorgimento.

The collection  specialises in occupational medicine, preventive medicine, ergonomics and human factors, environmental and molecular toxicology, environmental and occupational epidemiology, industrial hygiene, professional neuropsychology, and toxicogenomics.

This collection reflects the studies of linguist and Indologist Vittore Pisani, whose work focused on various aspects of Indo-European languages, particularly Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, and Germanic languages.

Comprising monographs and serials of significant literary and historical interest, this collection is what remains of the holdings of the Russian Library of Milan. Founded in the early twentieth century by a group of Russian exiles, the library expanded further after 1917.