Magnificent Obsessions told the intriguing stories of the book collectors whose diverse interests and passions helped shape—and continue to contribute to—the Smithsonian Libraries. Through rare books, manuscripts, and other intriguing items from across the varied Libraries of the Smithsonian Institution, the exhibition highlighted the personal motivations and enduring impact of book collectors who were compelled to share their “magnificent obsessions” with the nation.
Highlights included Wonder Woman’s 1942 debut cover, a woodblock printed book by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, and the Hebrew Bible engraved on a microchip.
Tupperware: the nicest thing that could happen to your kitchen (Orlando, Fla., 1958)
Joys of Jell-O Gelatin Dessert (White Plains, N.Y., 1963)
![Obrácení Kapitána Brassbounda; přeložili Vladimir Procházka a Karel Mušek [Captain Brassbound’s Conversion]](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/39088012520284_1001.jpg "Obrácení Kapitána Brassbounda; přeložili Vladimir Procházka a Karel Mušek [Captain Brassbound’s Conversion] (Prague, 1932)")
Obrácení Kapitána Brassbounda; přeložili Vladimir Procházka a Karel Mušek [Captain Brassbound’s Conversion] (Prague, 1932)
The New York World’s Fair, 1939 (New York, 1939)
A Book of Airplanes (Racine, Wis., 1930)
Aéroplane Captif (La Ronde des Aéroplanes) (Brussels, 1909)
Die Pflanzenthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur (Nuremberg, Germany, 1791–1830)
Fugaku hyakkei (Japan, 1834–1849)
Fugaku hyakkei (Japan, 1834–1849)
Locupletissimi rerum naturalium thesauri accurata descriptio (Amsterdam, 1734–1765)
Locupletissimi rerum naturalium thesauri accurata descriptio (Amsterdam, 1734–1765)
Locupletissimi rerum naturalium thesauri accurata descriptio (Amsterdam, 1734–1765)
A Natural History of Birds (London, 1731–1738)
