Collections

With its internationally renowned collections in the fields of archaeology, history of books, cartography, graphic design, Jewish cultural history and zoology, this is one of the most important heritage collections in Europe.

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History of the Book Trade

Poster for the CPNB Foundation, Otto Treumann, 1952

History of the Classical World

Silver Greek coin, 400 BC

Natural History

Banana Plant, Maria Sibylla Merian, 1719

History of the performing arts

Decor design for Frank V, Wim Vesseur, 1961

Cultural History of the Middle Ages

King David as author of the Psalms, circa 1475

History of the University of Amsterdam

Portrait of Otto Lanz, Jan Toorop, 1927

Collection Ancient Egypt and Sudan

Priestess Iku at an offering table 2216-2046 BC

General Cultural History

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), Dirk van Santen, circa 1664

Exact Sciences

Measuring apparatus developed by the phonetician Hendrik Zwaardemaker, 1920-1930

Jewish Cultural History

Esslingen Machzor, Hebrew feast day prayer-book, 1290

Cartography, Geography and Travel

Amsterdam, engraved by Pieter Hendrickszn. Schut, circa 1721

Church and Religious History

Amsterdam beguine, 1691-1695

Graphic design and typography

Lettering in colour lithography, Jean Midolle, 1834-1835

Surinamica Collection

Gezigten uit Neerland’s West-Indien, Voorduin en van Heemskerck van Beest. 1860.