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American Heritage Center: Toppan Library

A guide about the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center, where patrons can explore and conduct research in primary source collections.

Toppan Rare Books Library

The Toppan Rare Books Library at the American Heritage Center houses a distinguished collection of rare and unique books spanning a wide range of subjects and time periods. Its holdings include early printed works, fine press editions, historical maps, and significant publications in literature, history, and the sciences.

To explore the Toppan Rare Books catalog, see the University of Wyoming's QuickSearch. To view books in the Toppan Rare Books Library, Visit the Reading Room at the American Heritage Center to request access.

Contact us: 307-766-3756 or ahcref@uwyo.edu

Request a Visit

Appointments are required for any class or group visits, as well as individual researchers needing to see specific items. Please contact Reference Services to make an appointment at 307-766-3756 or ahcref@uwyo.edu.

About the Toppan Rare Books Library

The library is home to the University of Wyoming's rare books collection, consisting of over 50,000 items and is sponsored by the Clara Toppan endowment. The majority of the materials are printed books, although there are newspapers, magazines, broadsides, illuminated manuscripts, and other materials. Collecting subjects include the American West, British and American Literature, Exploration and Travel, Religion, Hunting and Fishing, historic children's books, and examples of the book arts.

Image: Illuminated Manuscript from the 1400s

Searching the Toppan Rare Books Library Catalog

Additional search tools (such as physical card catalogs, subject/photo/biographical file indexes, etc.) are available on-site at the American Heritage Center. If you are unsuccessful in your search, please contact the Reference Services Unit for assistance, or visit us on-site. Online cataloging projects are ongoing. 

Individual Collections

Much of the library houses donated material. Large named collections are kept intact:

  • Frederick W. Toppan Collection
  • Charles and Paul Clay Collection
  • Beatrice Beuf Collection
  • William Fitzhugh Collection
  • Lloyd Taggart Collection
  • Joseph Roebling Collection
  • Tristram and Charles Howard Colket Collection
  • Owen Wister Collection
  • Lewis Einstein Collection
  • C.C. Kuehn Collection
  • Maud Littleton Collection
  • Lewis Knapp Collection
  • Wilbur, Emma, and S.H. Knight Collection
  • Arthur and Helen Rippey Collection
  • Revilo Pendleton Oliver Collection
  • Walter Levy Collection
  • Ed and Shirley Cheramy Collection
  • Louise Jackson Collection
  • Gene Gurney Collection