Brass Rubbings Collection

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Hamline University is proud to be the home to over a thousand original brass rubbings (ca. 14th - early 20th century). Through generous funding by alumni, we are able to share this information with historians and researchers around the world.

Introduced in the 13th century, a brass is a memorial to bear witness to the dead. It might be a simple effigy or merely a plate inscribed with information about the deceased. Or, it might be quite elaborate, with several figures, a canopy, heraldic shields, and religious emblems in addition to an inscription. 

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Donor

This online resource for Hamline University’s brass rubbings collection was made possible by Kimberlee Klaus Self, Class of 1979, one of the students who made the rubbings. Her support provided for the continued preservation of the rubbings themselves, as well as the many hours of scanning and formatting needed to make the collection available online for others to enjoy and learn from. Hamline University is very grateful for her enthusiasm and encouragement.

In appreciation

To Hamline University for permitting me to work on this catalog during a sabbatical; to librarian Jack King for providing the rare book room as my workplace for several years after my retirement; to Jerry Ringhofer, Dennis Doubek, and David Burgoyne of the Hamline Media Services for providing both space and time to photograph the brass rubbings and for their help in making copies of these photographs for the catalog.

George T. Vane
December 1990

Hamline University is not seeking additional rubbings for its collection.