Buffalo’s first printed books find new home at UB Libraries

A book is opened to the inside page titled, 'A Book of Niagara Falls.'.

The Eugene Musial Buffalo Imprint Collection includes more than 300 titles printed and published in Buffalo in the 19th century. Photo: Douglas Levere

Release Date: August 17, 2017 This content is archived.

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A map of Buffalo city property from the year 1845.

An 1845 map of property in Buffalo owned by Guy H. Goodrich to be sold at auction. Photo: Douglas Levere

A copy of Thomas L. Nichols' "Four Months' Imprisonment for Libel in the Jail of Erie County," published in 1840. Photo: Douglas Levere

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo Libraries have acquired the Eugene Musial Buffalo Imprint Collection, a unique piece of Buffalo publishing history that includes the first book printed in Buffalo in 1812.

The impossible to duplicate collection, purchased by the UB Rare and Special Books Collection, includes more than 300 titles printed and published in Buffalo in the 19th century. The works were acquired throughout the lifetime of historical collector and bookstore owner Eugene Musial.

The materials will add to the University Libraries’ commitment to research and intellectual development and to promote and preserve the history of the Western New York region.

“Acquiring the Musial Collection allows the University Libraries to provide our students and faculty access to Buffalo’s rich 19th century history,” says Michael Basinski, director of UB Special Collections.

“The historic Musial Collection affords the UB Libraries Rare and Special Books Collection an opportunity to celebrate Buffalo’s renaissance by preserving Buffalo’s printing and publishing history.”

Highlights from the collection include the first book printed in Buffalo in 1812, the first directory of the village of Buffalo from 1828, the first Buffalo city directory from 1832, and an assortment of guide books of Niagara Falls from the 1830s and 1840s. Other materials include religious hymns, government documents and maps.

The Eugene Musial Buffalo Imprint Collection will be digitized and made available online for public viewing. Its acquisition was made possible through the generosity of William S. Hein & Co. Inc., the B.H. Breslauer Foundation and individual donors.

Media Contact Information

Marcene Robinson is a former staff writer in University Communications. To contact UB's media relations staff, email ub-news@buffalo.edu or visit our list of current university media contacts.