Trustee emeritus Royall Spence Jr., a 1942 Elon graduate, will donate three rare leather-bound books from the Middle Ages to the university during the weekly College Chapel service at 9:50 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13. The service will be held in Whitley Auditorium on campus.
The books include a Geneva Bible printed in 1599, a 1613 King James Bible and a large medieval chant book featuring colorful, elaborate script on vellum pages. Spence is especially proud of the King James Bible, which he bought at Sotheby’s auction house in London.
“When King James had the original bible printed, the one I bought was printed two years later on the same press,” Spence said.
The books will be housed with Elon’s special collections in Belk Library.
“These are priceless materials that will be of great interest to faculty and students doing advanced study in religion or history at Elon,” says Kate Hickey, library director. “Looking at that chant book and at the worn edges where the pages have been turned over the centuries puts a lump in your throat.”
Spence, who lives in Greensboro, N.C., says he hopes the books will enhance the scholarly work of students and faculty.
“These books mean a lot to me, and I hope the students and faculty at Elon can put them to good use.”