Collections of the Korotyński family and their role in varsaviana studies

Abstract

Most of Warsaw libraries were destroyed during the World War II. One of a few preserved collections including varsaviana is that of the Korotyński family. It was gathered mostly by Władysław Rajnold Korotyński (1866-1924) and his brother Brunon Wincenty (1873-1948). It also includes remains of the collections of Wincenty Korotyński (1831-1891) and Ludwik Stanisław Korotyński (1860-1919). This is the most important varsaviana private book collection, a main core of which survived war and occupation. It consists of materials concerning history of Warsaw, such as reference books (guides, house rates, calendars), as well as general and special monographies, rare brochures or cause studies. It also includes maps of Warsaw of the 18^th and 19^th centuries and manuscripts. These collections make an ample and differentiated source base.