New Acquisitions

The Hyde Collection contains more than a hundred volumes from the library of Hester Thrale Piozzi, but two of the most important items have only recently been added. Although unannotated, her copy of Rasselas certainly has great iconic significance, and she has inscribed this copy twice: first to Gabriel Piozzi, and later to her adopted son, Sir John Salusbury Piozzi (1793-1858). The Bible, by contrast, is extensively annotated, making clear that it was the subject of prolonged study on Mrs. Piozzi's part, and adding greatly to our understanding of her.