Special Collections

The material in the Special Collections and their sub-collections relates primarily to Namibia and southern Africa in the 20th century.

The individual collections and archives are as follows:

the General Archives, with around 100 shelf-metres of press and documentation collections together with the archives of various organisations
the Hans W. Debrunner Collection, with library and archive collections on various African regions and themes
the Photo Archives, with around 100,000 pictures (prints, negatives, colour slides, postcards)
the Manuscript Archives, with about 100 legacies and bequests
the Poster Collection, with over 3,000 posters

Access to other special collections listed below is restricted:

the Calendar Collection
the Map Collection
the Sound and Video Archives

Access

The Special Collections may be consulted during the general opening hours of the BAB. Researchers working with them must observe the General Rules for the Use of the Archive Collections of the Basler Afrika Bibliographien.

We will be very happy to provide guidance and advice while you undertake your research.

Advance notification of your visit is requested.