The late Professor Masatsugu Ohtake, formerly of Waseda University and an Honorary Fellow of Hughes Hall, amassed a magnificent collection of books during his career which he most generously donated to Hughes Hall Library in recognition of his long association with the College.
The collections
First World War poets
Selected Edward Thomas books from the Ohtake Collection’s extensive selection.
First editions of the works of Edward Thomas (1878-1917), Professor Ohtake’s particular enthusiasm, and other material relating to Edward Thomas.
Books by Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967), including Sassoon’s school diary which was displayed in the exhibition at Cambridge University Library: ‘Dream Voices: Siegfried Sassoon, Memory and War’.
Further books by and about the First World War poets, and generally about the literature and history of the war.
Ted Hughes
The Ohtake Collection contains Ted Hughes first editions, fine press limited editions and works with manuscript inscriptions by Ted Hughes.
First editions, fine press limited editions, and other material relating to former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes (1930–98). Some items have manuscript inscriptions by Ted Hughes himself. Much of this was acquired by Professor Ohtake from Keith Sagar, the bibliographer and friend of Ted Hughes.
Fine print and private press books
Deluxe case-bound copies of Parenthesis, the journal of the Fine Press Book Association
These include the exquisitely bound volumes of Matrix, and books published by Ashdene Press, Daniel Press, Doves Press, Whittington Press, William Cobden-Sanderson and Rampant Lions Press.
Searching and accessing the Ohtake Collection
Items in the Ohtake Collection are searchable via our online catalogue, iDiscover.
Accredited scholars are welcome to consult the Ohtake Collection by appointment. Please contact the Library Team in the first instance with details of your request.
The College reserves the right to make an administrative charge for the provision of access, and authorised copying will be charged at an appropriate fee rate and may require the granting of a licence.
Making copies
Items in the Ohtake Collection are subject to UK copyright law – this means that there are limits on what, and how much, you can copy. Please see our Copyright section for further information.
Please consult the Library Team before making a copy from an item in the Ohtake Collection.