from the Ponickau Library

The library of Johann August von Ponickau (1718–1802), a member of the Secret War Council, forms part of the historical core collection of the Wittenberg University Library. During his lifetime, J.A. von Ponickau bequeathed his private library to the University of Wittenberg; in addition to original sources such as documents, seals and manuscripts, it consisted primarily of printed works on the cultural and regional history of Central Germany.

Following the merger of the Universities of Wittenberg and Halle, the printed works were kept undivided and displayed separately, in accordance with the founder’s instructions in his will.

Whilst the „Bibliotheca Saxonica“ contains literature on the regional studies, culture and history of Central Germany, the „Bibliotheca Miscellanea“ covers all other fields of knowledge of the 18th century and thus constitutes a small, self-contained universal library in the spirit of the Enlightenment. Whilst the „Bibliotheca Saxonica“ was systematically expanded until 1965 with publications on the history, geography and culture of the Central German region, the miscellaneous library was only supplemented sporadically throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

The collection of small-print books, too, is almost entirely attributable to J. A. von Ponickau. It is of great significance to research, as it contains numerous unique and rare items from the 16th to the 18th centuries, particularly in the field of occasional writings such as official printed documents, speeches, sermons, dissertations, popular literature, tracts, ordinances and so-called „grey literature“. The Collection of illustrations The ULB has its origins in the Ponickau Collection.