Rare Book Collection Finds Home In Appalachian’s Carol Grotnes Belk Library More than 600 rare books on British history have been donated to Appalachian State University’s Carol Grotnes Belk Library by New York residents Bill and Maureen Rhinehart. Among the collection is “The history of Great Britain: being the life and reign of King James the first, relating to what passed from his first access to the crown, till his death” published in 1653. The collection rivals those found at the Library of Congress as well as British history collections at UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University. Photo courtesy of Carol Grotnes Belk Library More than 600 rare books on British history have a permanent home in Carol Grotnes Belk Library thanks to a gift from New York residents Bill and Maureen Rhinehart. Bill Rhinehart is a graduate of Appalachian, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1956 and a master of arts degree in 1957. The Bill and Maureen Rhinehart Collection on British History grew from Bill Rhinehart’s interest in the British monarchy, aristocracy and political history and spans the 16th to 19th centuries. The oldest book in the collection is Sir John Hayward’s “The First Part of the Life and Rraigne of King Henrie the IIII,” published in 1599. In addition to the rare books, the Rhineharts also have donated a collection of some 600 modern research books related to the subjects of the rare books. “There is a wealth of information in this collection,” said University Archivist Hal Keiner. “Many of the books are heavily illustrated and show the architectural styles and costumes of the period.” Many of the books are in their original bindings and were printed on a paper that has a heavy rag content, which naturally preserves the books, he said. The collection complements the library’s holdings regarding British history, including a microfilm collection of the entire run of papers from the House of Lords and House of Commons. “This carefully selected collection of rare, historical books is an important and delightful addition to our library,” said Michael Moore, a professor of British history at Appalachian. Moore is longtime editor and publisher of Albion, the journal of British Studies. “Some of these books are so rare that when you look them up in the Library of Congress’s National Union Catalogue and note what libraries in North America have copies, you will see Appalachian State next to the names of universities with the most prestigious libraries, such as Harvard or Yale or Princeton,” Moore said. Books in this collection will be available for research by appointment. “Bill Rhinehart’s passion for collecting rare books and for building a related library of modern studies concerned with his monarchical subjects is our good fortune,” Moore said. “The donation of this prestigious and distinctive collection of rare and beautiful books adds immeasurably to the quality of Belk Library.”