At the heart of the BSR Library’s inestimable Rare Book Collection are over 1,000 volumes acquired by Thomas Ashby, which reflect his research interests and focus on, for example, early guidebooks to Rome, bound editions of early engravings, particularly vedute and the architecture of Rome, Italian topography, history and archaeology.

Today the collection numbers nearly 4,000 volumes and has grown over time thanks to many generous donations, including the latest in 2018, the first major addition to the collection for many years, thanks to our Chair of BSR Council, Mark Getty. The opportunity was the sale in Milan of the library of the collector Sergio Rossetti, whose major interest was works on Roman topography. The gift includes an important group of early guidebooks to Rome which has enriched our collection from Thomas Ashby’s library.