SOURCE: The Kessler and Seydel Collections at Emory

Emory University libraries are home to two excellent collections of sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century imprints. The Seydel Collection is surely the least know and utilized. Based on the private collection of Paul Seydel (1884-1942) , a Belgian Chemist and book collector, the Sedyel collection includes numerous works from the print shot of Christophe Plantin. One of the aims of the collection is to acquire copies of all the works from his press. Later works from the Plantin press from the seventeenth century are also prominent. This is a real gem for any students of the late Renaissance. The collection is housed in the Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library of Emory University ( http://marbl.library.emory.edu/ )

An even larger collection is the Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection, currently including nearly 3,000 sixteenth-century imprints, including 800+ works by Martin Luther. A magnificent (if I do say so myself) annotated bibliography of the collection is available (shameless plug ); you can also peruse the collection online http://www.pitts.emory.edu/SpecColl/kesslercoll.html . A digital image archive is online, though it is somewhat counterintuitive to use. Several works from the collection have been reprinted in amazingly affordable facsimile editions in the series Emory Texts and Studies in Ecclesial Life. The Kessler Collection is one of the finest Reformation collections in the country including not only works by major reformers but early hymnals, church ordinances, and controversial literature. One noteworthy find is a collection of pamphlets printed at Magdeburg between 1548 and 1555, including both the original Latin and German editions of the Magdeburg Confession.
These two collections should make Atlanta a worthy destination for Reformation researchers -- come in the spring when the weather is best.