Rare Books at Duke University Libraries
Duke University Libraries is home to rare treasures like Audubon's 'Birds of America', which can be adopted to preserve its story.
In the Mary Duke Biddle Room, two rare books valued at $1 million each are secured behind a 1,000-pound glass case, protected from temperature and light variations.
- Only 120 complete sets of 'Birds of America' by John James Audubon still exist.
- Duke owns one set of the four volumes printed between 1827 and 1838.
- Each book measures over 3 feet by 2 feet and features vibrant, hand-painted drawings of birds.
On the first Friday of every month at 12:15 p.m., one page in each book is turned to reveal a new depiction of a species, and the public is welcome to attend.
You can “adopt” one for a fraction of the price to help preserve these treasures.
Author's summary: Preserve rare books like Audubon's 'Birds of America' at Duke University Libraries.