The “Rare Books” virtual collection has been enriched with five valuable editions of interest to researchers, literary scholars, and admirers of book heritage. The newly added volumes introduce users to works on geography, travel, world literature, and folklore, reflecting the richness of nineteenth- and twentieth-century scholarship and cultural thought.

Among the highlights is “Travels in the Tian'-Shan', 1856–1857” by the outstanding Russian geographer and traveller Petr Petrovich Semenov-Tian-Shansky, published in Moscow in 1947 in Russian. In his recollections, the author describes his expedition to Central Asia, giving a detailed account of the nature, glaciers, flora, and fauna of the Tian-Shan, as well as the everyday life and culture of the peoples of the region.

The new additions also include Karl Baedeker’s famous guidebook “Italy from the Alps to Naples,” published in Leipzig in 1909 in English. The edition contains descriptions of Italian cities, architectural monuments, museums, and natural landmarks, supplemented with maps, plans, and practical recommendations for travellers.

Also featured is “The Poetical Works” by John Keats, published in English in London, New York, and Toronto in 1908. The volume brings together the best-known odes, sonnets, and narrative poems of one of the foremost English Romantic poets.
  
The selection also includes Christopher Marlowe’s collected works, “The Works,” published in English in 1902. The volume contains the plays, poetical works, and translations of the outstanding playwright of the English Renaissance.

Another noteworthy addition is “Livländisches Sagenbuch” (The Livonian Book of Legends), compiled by Friedrich Bienemann and published in Reval in 1897 in German. The volume presents folk tales, legends, and traditional narratives of historical Livonia, reflecting the rich folklore traditions of the Baltic region.

These publications are valuable monuments of world book culture and reflect the diversity of scientific, literary, and historical thought across different eras. Their inclusion in the “Rare Books” virtual collection contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and expands users’ opportunities to explore unique examples of world book publishing.