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About the Series
Presented by UCLA Library, The Claremont Colleges Library(opens in a new tab) and Columbia University Libraries(opens in a new tab) with funding support from the James P. Geiss and Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation(opens in a new tab).
The Materiality of Ming Books and Manuscripts lecture series brings together 13 scholars from North America and China to explore the history and material culture of Ming books and manuscripts. Speakers will present both foundational and recent research, offering essential context for a broad audience, including librarians seeking to build expertise in primary source materials and Object-Based Learning (OBL) instruction.
The series is designed to enhance awareness, strengthen professional competencies and deepen understanding of East Asian cultural heritage. Online sessions will introduce Ming books and manuscripts, while a future in-person residency will offer hands-on engagement with primary sources for selected participants.
Ming Materials at UCLA Library
The Ming dynasty (1368–1644) produced an extraordinary range of printed and manuscript works, reflecting innovations in papermaking, woodblock carving, ink production, multicolor printing and standardized calligraph style for printing. These physical qualities offer valuable insights into Ming social, cultural, technological, and economic life. Today, many exemplary Ming materials survive and are preserved in East Asian collections across North America.
The UCLA Library’s Richard C. Rudolph East Asian Library and UCLA Library Special Collections hold approximately 90 Ming-era books and manuscripts. The collection was assembled through both acquisitions and donations: most acquisitions were made between the 1950s and 1970s, while the majority of donations were received in the 1980s.
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