RARE BOOKS
Collaboration with UNCG’s Art Department
Through a collaboration with UNCG’s Art Department, several outstanding photography and artist’s books were added to Rare Books:
Coastal Matter / Kyra Schmidt (2019)
”Kyra’s lumen prints abstract organic objects in a way that enhances surface, texture, and color. This book follows a sequence of words – Earth, Sand, Tide and Water – in order to draw the viewer through the coastal landscape, toward the water. “ (Description from vendor Kyra Schmidt)
The Haunted—Contemporary Photography Conjured in New England (2025)
The Haunted draws a circle around contemporary New England photography as being rich in personal narrative, particularly in the way nature, through the landscape and the human/animal relationship endures as a source of artistic inspiration. Photographers include Tad Beck, Tabitha Bernard, Barbara Bosworth, Neville Caulfield, Caleb Charland, Jed Devine, Smith Galtney, Kate Greene, Pia-Paulina Guilmoth, Tonee Harbert, Cig Harvey, Dylan Hausthor, David Hilliard, Jocelyn Lee, Amanda Marchand, Leah Sobsey, Emily Sheffer, Peter Shellenberger, Wendy Small, Cheryle St. Onge, and Shoshannah White. (Description from vendor Speedwell Projects)
The Little Jungle Book / Linda Connor & Maria Sibylla Merian (2025)
This book, created in homage to Linda Connor’s collage book, strives to faithfully reproduce the expressive form of the original. While the layered textures of hand-cut paper—one of the collage book’s key charms—could not be replicated, each pop-up element was carefully hand-assembled to offer readers an experience as close to the original as possible. Searching each printed page to spot Linda’s collages becomes a delightful journey into the depth of the book. (Description from vendor Blue Raven Gallery)
Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again / Amanda Marchand (2019)
“This series takes place during deep winter, in the mystic north with only 6 hours of daylight. The book focuses on three windows in a century-old schoolhouse and their subtle surprises; nautical twilight, a bird, the sudden sun … This work is a return to a childhood state of pure presence. Like the practice of meditation, these photographs ask, ‘What happens when you pay attention?’ (Description from vendor Amanda Marchand)
sansookyung / Min Byung-Hun (2025)
sansookyung (山水景) means “a landscape of mountains and water touched by light.” These images find beauty in the ordinary. Min transforms ordinary subjects into poetic black-and-white prints, captivating viewers with a magical allure. Rarely do we see a Korean photographer who, through a Western medium, reveals a path to the Eastern jingyeong—a true-view landscape. The deep gray tones between light and shadow evoke traditional East Asian ink paintings, resembling a visual poem. (Description from vendor Photo-Eye Books and Prints)
Thing / Jungjin Lee (2025)
Jungjin Lee’s “Thing” series consists of works capturing everyday objects in intimate close-ups, which are then printed in black and white on Korean handmade paper. Through a meditative shooting process, the artist distills the essence of the subject, removing all extraneous elements. Backgrounds and shadows are eliminated, and the forms are simplified, while the empty spaces are filled with the artist’s emotions and internalized thoughts. In particular, the white spaces surrounding each dark object reflect an Eastern painting and calligraphy concept of “emptiness.” Through this blank space, the objects acquire a new meaning. Lee raises questions about the artistic role of exploring and expressing the essence of existence through observation. (Description from vendor Blue Raven Gallery)
All Things Gothic and Paranormal:
In time for Special Collections & University Archives “Halloween Hijinks” event, we acquired the following titles to add to our growing collection of the paranormal.
Limited Edition Reprint of the 1901 version of Dracula
In 1994, Transylvania Press reprinted the 1901 version of Dracula. This edition continues Rare Books’ holdings of this seminal work.
Dracula’s Guest and Other Weird Stories / Bram Stoker (1914)
This copy is a lovely early printing of Dracula’s Guest and Other Weird Stories (1914), Bram Stoker’s posthumously published collection of gothic and supernatural tales, edited and introduced by his widow, Florence A. L. Stoker. The short story, “Dracula’s Guest,” was part of Dracula but was cut from the manuscript due to length.
The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers, Generally, in All Ages / P. T. Barnum (1866)
P.T. Barnum compiled reports of deception, superstition, and spectacle from diverse periods and regions. Topics include vampire sightings, haunted residences, false prophets, cursed objects, and purported witch activity in 19th-century Europe. This collection of popular beliefs and frauds links American curiosity to earlier cultural traditions.
People from the Other World / Henry Olcott (1875)
Henry Olcott’s People from the Other World is a comprehensive 19th-century exploration of the occult, the spiritual realm, and societal reactions to witchcraft. First published in 1875, the book presents a variety of accounts and narratives related to extraordinary phenomena, including the work and trials of mediums, magnetism and mesmerism, spiritualism, encounters with spirits and demons, mind-reading, maritime ghost sightings, apparition phenomena at Mormon and Shaker gatherings, and a historical account of the Salem Witch Trials.
The Philosophy of Mystery / Walter Cooper Dendy (1855)
Walter Dendy’s Philosophy of Mystery is a mid-19th-century treatise that explores topics such as the study of dreaming and dream interpretation, mesmerism or animal magnetism, demonology and specters, witchcraft, illusions, the prevalence of dark blood phenomena, fantasies, and various related subjects.
The Astrologer. Composed of 12 Monthly Parts Treating on the Science of Astrology, Medical Botany, etc.
This is a complete set, in mismatched bindings, of this 19th-century astrological magazine. Features include sections on astrology and the Bible, horse racing, diseases and remedies, horoscopes, telephone communication, a horoscope of Edison, nativities, palmistry, reviews of books on occult sciences, and more. The Astrologer ceased publication after three years, but was significant for its impact on a young English astrologer and theosophist named Alan Leo.
Palmistry and its Practical Uses / Louise Cotton (1892)
This is a high-quality copy of this late 19th-century palmistry reference book.
Practical Palmistry / Henry Frith (1910)
This is a comprehensive guide to the art of character analysis and methods for recalling past events and predicting future occurrences through the examination of the hand.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
ART 120 Spring 2025 Zines
Topher Alexander, Instructor in UNCG’s School of Art, donated zines from the Spring 2025 ART 120 class. They have been added to the Project Based Learning Exemplars Collection, SC 0009.
UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
Charles Duncan McIver Commemorative Publication Printing Plate
A recent donation to the University Archives was this unique printing plate for a campus publication commemorating UNC Greensboro’s first president and founder, Charles Duncan McIver. The plate was created by artist Henry Rood, Jr. Rood was a native of Pleasantville, New York, but spent much of his career in North Carolina as a painter, illustrator, and lecturer.
WOMEN VETERANS HISTORICAL PROJECT
Elsie C. Lund Scrapbook
Lt. Elsie M. Lund (1913-1982) served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from 1943 to 1946. Her scrapbook documents her service in England from June 5, 1944, to June 17, 1945. The hospital unit to which she was attached was responsible for stabilizing wounded American soldiers before they returned home to the U.S. The hospital cared for between 1,000 and 2,000 soldiers a week. During her year-long assignment in England, Lund collected materials documenting both her work as a nurse and her many social activities with fellow Americans and English colleagues and friends.
Martha Mendenhall Addition
Martha Mendenhall’s nephew donated materials from his deceased aunt, a 1941 Woman’s College alumna and a World War II Navy WAVE. Mendenhall joined the WAVES in 1943 and became a link trainer flight simulator instructor to train Navy pilots. The addition includes a scrapbook…
Roxy Cortés Oral History Interview
Roxy Cortés, UNCG Public History graduate student and U.S. Army veteran, contributed an oral history interview, photographs, and uniform materials, including her First Cavalry Division hat!
Roxy Cortés (center) on Basic Combat Training graduation day at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, August 31, 2017.
Genevieve Smyka Scrapbook
Genevieve Irene Smyka served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy WAVES from 1945 to 1947. Her duty stations included the Brooklyn Naval Hospital, the St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens, New York, and Bethesda, Maryland. The scrapbook includes photographs, postcards, clippings, and military papers.
