The Library of the British School at Rome has as the core of its holdings an outstanding collection of Rare Books relating to many subjects but with particular emphasis on Rome and Italy. The majority of these derive from the library of Thomas Ashby, Director from 1906-25, who inherited his father's passion for books as well as his library and continued to add to the collection throughout his lifetime.

Over the last few years, the Library has been systematically conserving and refurbishing this exceptional collection which, due to financial constraints had been sadly neglected in the past, and has to date treated 2000 volumes. Each book has been cleaned, with special attention given to leather and vellum bindings, small repairs have been made and a technical description of each binding and its condition has been compiled. On the basis of this information, which has been lacking until now, it will be possible in the future to begin a new campaign to carry out further conservation work on the most needy cases. This work so far has been paid for by the generous response to our Appeal for the Library in 1997.

Now that building work is complete on the new Packard Wing and the Main Reading Room, it becomes urgent to complete this work on the remaining 1300 books in the Rare Books collection.

Please help to preserve this unique collection by adopting one or more books @ £15 per book.

Please make your cheque payable to The British School at Rome and send it to

Jill Pellew
51 St George's Square
LONDON SW1V 3QN

Please Suppy the following information:

Name..........

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GIFT AID