Introduction to the Odd Volumes Collections

In 2026, I expanded the digital archive to include a curated collection on the worldwide Odd Volumes Clubs, reflecting their historical significance and their close association with Edward Heron-Allen. This new section presents materials from the early London Sette of Odd Volumes and many of its international counterparts, including Nottingham, Chelmsford, Hong Kong, Stratford-upon-Avon, Dublin, Australia, and Tallahassee. The Boston Club of Odd Volumes is not included in this database.

The collection features books, pamphlets, letters, manuscripts, portraits, folia, and ephemera documenting Heron Allen’s long involvement with the London Sette—founded in 1878—as well as the broader global network of Odd Volumes societies past and present.

This addition strengthens the Society’s commitment to providing a comprehensive, publicly accessible digital resource for scholars, researchers, and readers interested in Heron Allen’s life and the bibliophilic culture that shaped his world.