The One-Time World War I Collection of National Széchényi Library

The one-time World War I collection was National Széchényi Library’s first attempt at setting up methodically a collection that includes non-traditional library documents. These items were later added to the Collection of Posters and Small Prints founded in 1935. The historiographic significance of the endeavor is proven by the fact that at the end of the collection, the stock contained more than 176 thousand library items. The centenary of the outbreak of World War I nearing, we emphasize that these documents are still available in NSZL, making easier the research of that historical period. The start of the collection reflects the sentiment of the hinterland that expected a quick and glorious triumph when the war broke out. The original reason for the library directorate to gather the documents was to be able to prove at the end that they too, took part in the victory. The lingering war, however, exhausted the resources of the country as well as those of NSZL. The final dissolution of the collection was due to the disastrous financial situation after the defeat.

In the first part of the book, the author summarizes the history of National Széchényi Library during World War I. The second major unit is dedicated to the history of the World War collection, and the third to a special source group, the postcards from World War I military camps. At the end, a bibliography lists the Hungarian language items of the collection from 1914 to 1918 that were later added to the library’s General Collection.