One of the most interesting aspects of Special Collections is its
holdings of non-print material.
There are several large paintings on the side walls, all of them
religious in theme. Giovanni Battista Salvi's small praying Madonna
(twin to his painting in the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.)
is in the center. A 15th-century tempera of Madonna and Child,
attributed to Carlo Crivelli, hangs in a replica of a tabernacle
frame on its right. On its left is a large and ornate black Madonna
painted in Colonial Peru.
On the opposite wall a 19th-century colorful Ethiopian painting
depicts the story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. A large
abstract painting by Professor Edward Manetta and a portrait of
John Paul II, next to an excellent copy of Murillo's "Holy Family"
complete this side of the room.
In objects on a smaller scale, St. John's University has a
complete collection of presidential autographs and commemorative
medals. In 1945 Miss Mary Campbell donated 32 framed sets of medals
and autographs, one of each United States president from George
Washington to Franklin D. Roosevelt.
A collection of 42 porcelain dogs, replicas of different breeds
in Royal Doulton, Rosenthal and Copenhagen china were donated by
Mrs. David L. Cosgrove to Father Lonergan, director of the library
from 1976-1983. This display is in its own custom-made vitrine.
There are also a large number of silver medals, pewter ingots
and first-day-issue stamps that were purchased on a subscription
basis from the Franklin Mint, Fleetwood and the American
Bicentennial Commemorative Society.