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Cambridge University buys 19th Century 'travelling library'

Natalie Malcolm/BBC Travelling library opened up to show the small books insideNatalie Malcolm/BBC
Cambridge University Library bought the travelling library after seeing it in a UK bookseller catalogue

A 19th Century miniature "travelling library" containing 9cm-long (3.5in) French books has been added to a university collection.

Travelling libraries became popular during the age of horse-drawn coach travel, when journeys could take weeks.

Rare book specialist Liam Sims, of Cambridge University Library, said the case, featuring 38 books, has been described as a "Victorian Kindle".

It was the "size of a shoebox" and looks like a book on the outside.

Mr Sims said "it's a surprise when you open it up" and see the books inside, which are "smaller than a pack of cards", by authors including Voltaire and Racine.

Natalie Malcolm/BBC One of the small portable books laid on top of the restNatalie Malcolm/BBC
The palm-sized books have gold designs of flowers, stars and animals on their spines

It was made in the early 1800s, and the books inside were printed between 1802 and 1818, Mr Sims said.

The travelling library could have been used as a "way to keep you busy on your travels" in carriage journeys that could have involved overnight stops in coaching inns on major roads such as the Great North Road.

Its portable size meant it would not have taken up too much room and it is like a "19th Century Kindle", he added.

Natalie Malcolm/BBC The outside of the travelling library boxNatalie Malcolm/BBC
Mr Sims said the travelling library was meant to "show off" and display "what taste you have"

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The travelling library was in a UK bookseller's catalogue and "immediately we thought that would be something really good for us to add to our shelves, really fun to share with people," Mr Sims said.

Cambridge University Library did not wish to disclose the price it paid.

It has now been added to the other million rare books the library has.

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