The Ruskin art collection at Oxford

The work Catalogue of the Rudimentary series : in the arrangement of 1873 with Ruskin's comments of 1878 (London : Lion and Unicorn Press, 1984) became the University of Canterbury Library's one millionth acquisition when it was purchased in 1985. It is copy number 28 of only 275 published and features John Ruskin's finest works alongside with his accompanying text.

Ruskin (1819-1900) was Oxford University's first Slade Professor of Art and one of the most important art critics of the nineteenth century. His collection of works and accompanying catalogues were divided into four series for teaching. The Rudimentary Series was first catalogued in 1872, followed by several revisions.

According to University of Canterbury Chronicle (Vol. 20, no.14, August 9, 1985), Librarian Dick Hlavac considered the purchase appropriate for the University because Ruskin's "life and work cut across all the faculties".

To commemorate the Library purchasing its one millionth volume, B. H. Blackwell Ltd of Oxford presented to the Library the two volume set of  A History of the University of Oxford, Its colleges, halls and public buildings. Combe, William. London: R Ackermann, 1814.

Blackwells had been a principal supplier of British books to the University of Canterbury for over 50 years. The gift note reads: "To commemorate the accession of the millionth volume to the University of Canterbury Library. Presented in memory of Clifford Collins. Basil Blackwell. Richard Blackwell. Christmas 1985".

How to cite this page: Hannah O'Dwyer 'The Ruskin Art Collection'. University of Canterbury Library Provenance, https://digitalvoyages.canterbury.ac.nz/omeka-s/s/provenance-project/page/ruskin-art (Access date)