Last year’s notable acquisitions A journey through our special collections

Every year the National Library acquires fascinating new items to add to its special collections. The year 2024 was no exception, and we are delighted to present some of the items that have sparked the interest of our experts and collection managers.

From precious prints to contemporary postcards, engravings and music therapry compositions, these notable acquisitions take you on a journey through time. They bear witness to our ongoing commitment to preserving the national heritage, ensuring its long-term survival, enhancing its value and making it accessible to the public.

Manuscripts Collection

The BnL has acquired one of the rarest manuscripts dating back thousands of years, adding considerably to the country’s cultural and historical heritage: the Giant Bible of Saint Maximin.

This manuscript is the last example of Giant Bibles written in the 11^th century still in private hands and is unique in its close connection with Luxembourg. In addition to its exceptional rarity, it is set apart by its remarkable state of preservation. It was written in close collaboration with the Echternach scriptorium, one of the greatest intellectual and artistic centers of the early Middle Ages. At that time, Echternach was part of the archbishopric of Trier and played a central role in creating high-quality illuminated manuscripts. This unique document represents a high point in the scriptorial culture of the Echternach school, whose influence extended far beyond the cloister walls.

Collection of Cards, Maps, Atlases and Views

This is a rare coloured map depicting the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands in the form of the Leo Belgicus (the “Belgian Lion”) (cf. Henricus A. M. van der Heijden, Leo Belgicus. An illustrated and annotated cartobibliography, Alphen aan den Rijn, 2006, no. 31). The Duchy of Luxembourg appears beneath the lion’s forelegs. In the legend referring to the duchy, which is placed below that of Brabant and to the left of Liège, it is stated, among other things, that the territory is divided into two regions: the German and the Walloon quarters.

The legend also states that seven counties (Schleiden, St-Jean, Chiny, Rochefort, Salm, Vianden and Durbuy) are part of the duchy. However, Durbuy had already long been integrated into the County of Luxembourg, and it is unclear what Schenk meant by the County of St-Jean. He may have been referring to the Lordship of Mont St-Jean, near Dudelange.

Posters and Postcards Collection

This postcard features a photograph of the Rotondes in Luxembourg-Gare, taken by Édouard Kutter in 1960 and transformed into a collage by Yannick Tossing. It was published by the Rotondes on the occasion of the exhibition “Les voyeuses”, held in summer 2024.

Yannick Tossing is one of twelve Luxembourgish and international artists who reworked photographs by Édouard Kutter, Pol Aschman, Romain Urhausen, Theo Mey and Tony Krier, offering a new perspective on historical images of the Rotondes.

Iconography Collection

This major work by the artist Danielle Grosbusch was submitted to the BnL under legal deposit at the beginning of 2024. The Luxembourgish printmaker used a combination of intaglio techniques – including etching, mezzotint, burin on Fondino, and monotype – to create this unexpected view of the City of Luxembourg.

Collection of the History of Libraries and Books in Luxembourg

The BnL was able to acquire the private collection of ex-libris of Mr Jo Kohn (1946-2016), one of the greatest collectors of Luxembourgish and foreign ex-libris in the Grand Duchy.

Ephemera Collection

The Crescentini family business founded the Maxim pasta factory on Rue du Canal in Esch-sur-Alzette in 1922, where it has remained for over a century. From the very beginning, Maxim pasta was made using traditional methods and durum wheat semolina, along with the fresh-egg speciality known as “Mavi”.

The pasta was recognised as being on par with the finest Italian products, winning the gold medal in the food category at the Exposition Nationale de la Ville d’Esch/Alzette in September 1923, and the Grand Prix in 1933.

Cedom Music Collection

For the first time in its history, the Cedom has received the archive of a music therapist: Franz Peter Holler (1915-1995). Originally from the Freiburg im Breisgau area, Franz Holler settled in Wasserbillig after the Second World War. He wrote songs for radio, composed music for television adverts, and also secured private music therapy engagements with families whose children had disabilities. His Rhythmesch Handübungen are the result of many years of work with children with limited mobility. In the 1970s, Holler asked Renée Bisdorff to assist him during several music therapy sessions.

The Franz Peter Holler – Renée Bisdorff Collection includes the music therapy method Rhythmesch Handübungen, developed over time, as well as biographical material on Franz Peter Holler, a little-known figure in Luxembourg, and sheet music composed by both Holler and Bisdorff.

▪ This is an edited extract from our 2024 activity report, available for download on our publications page. Learn more