The most accessible print room in New York City, the Print Collection of The New York Public Library encompasses a specialized reference collection of over 15,000 volumes on the history of prints and printmakers; artist clipping files; and a collection of close to 200,000 original prints, ranging from woodcuts, engravings, etchings, lithographs, and screenprints to digital prints, covering the history of the art in the West from the 15th century to the present, and Japanese prints from the 10th century to the present. The collection also includes illustrated books, artists’ books, and a small collection of drawings. You can access the collection remotely using the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog.
About the Division
New Exhibition! Fortune and Folly in 1720
September 23, 2022–February 19, 2023
Fortune and Folly in 1720 chronicles the spectacular rise and fall of the first international bubble economy. The Mississippi and South Sea Bubbles, which spawned the invention of French banknotes as well as joint-stock companies built on fantasies of New World trade, imposed on everyday Europeans a crash course in new financial products. In turn, a bubbling print market relentlessly caricatured the meltdown, offering viewers an entertaining primer on the otherwise bewildering realities of modern economic life. Learn more.
Visiting the Collection
Can researchers access the collection without an appointment?
Yes, we welcome researchers to the Print Collection in Room 308 and will accommodate requests on an ad-hoc basis where possible. However, we strongly encourage patrons to make an appointment in advance to guarantee access to the desired materials. Email us at prints@nypl.org to book an appointment to visit the Print Collection. Patrons are also welcome to enter without an appointment to consult a Specialist during reading room hours.
Are virtual consultations available and are they required before making an onsite research appointment?
Virtual consultations are available for researchers who wish to discuss their research plans. Email us at prints@nypl.org to arrange a time to speak.
Who can researchers contact with further questions?
Please email us at prints@nypl.org with any additional queries.
Featured
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Digital Collections
Interact with digitized items from the Print Collection.
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From Our Blog
Check out blog posts from the expert librarians of the Print Collection.
