Special Collections houses rare and unique books, as well as other materials that do not normally fall within the scope of a library’s circulating collections.
Materials in these collections are separate from the Archives because of the need for special handling, for security, and sometimes because of their value or rarity.
Molloy is proud to be home to a Heritage Edition of the Saint John's Bible in its Special Collections. This rare edition of an illuminated, handwritten Bible is presented in seven volumes.
Special Collections is also home to the personal collections of Joan Roberts, an actress and performer who gifted memorabilia commemorating her career to Molloy in 2014.
The Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible is a cornerstone of our collection. Acquired by Molloy in 2015, we continue to expand opportunities for study, contemplation, and exploration of the Bible on campus and in the Long Island community.
The Saint John's Bible is a handwritten, hand-illuminated manuscript created using medieval techniques and materials by a team of 15 scribes and illuminators. World-renown calligrapher Donald Jackson led the team. The project, commissioned by Saint John's Abbey and University (Minnesota) in 1998, took 13 years to complete. Through the Heritage program, The Saint John's Bible is shared with communities around the world. 299 Heritage Edition fine art facsimiles of The Saint John's Bible were produced. Each set meticulously crafted at the same dimensions as the original, and each illumination was embellished by hand. The 1,150 pages are bound by hand in seven volumes, making each unique in its own right.
Molloy University is proud to share the time-honored tradition of illuminated manuscripts with a new generation. If you would like to bring The Saint John's Bible to your class or community group contact Brianna Paoli, Archives & Special Collections librarian, at BPaoli@molloy.edu .