Rose Book-Collecting Prize

Deadline: Friday 30th January, 23:59pm

£500 on offer to student book-collectors

Cambridge University Library annually offers students the chance to win £500 by building their own book collections. The Rose Book-Collecting Prize was endowed in 2006 and is believed to be the first of its kind offered by any European university. 

Entrants must be current undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University. The collection entered for the prize must be solely owned by the student and must have been collected by the student. It may be on any topic or by a single author, from any period, or of any genre, or it may reflect bibliographical features (edition, illustrations, binding, etc.). The size or monetary value of the collection will not be factors in determining the winning entry. Each contestant must submit an essay of not more than 500 words explaining the genesis of the collection, what its interest is to the owner, and ideas for future development. This must be accompanied by a bibliographic list of the books, with brief annotations (maximum 10 A4 sides in all, including the essay) which might point out interesting features of some of the books (illustrated editions, translations, or other pertinent features of the book's production and/or reception). Examples of previous entries may be found online.

After shortlisting in February, finalists will be invited to the University Library to show some of their books to the judging panel at a date to be decided in late February or March. Enquiries may be sent to Dr Liam Sims (ls457@cam.ac.uk).

*External Opportunity. For more information follow the links. If you have success in applying do let us know!