Angelo Rocca ‘s library possessed a discrete collection of prints, some remaining loose others bound in volumes, which constituted a record of the Augustinian bishop’s most varied interests.
An important increase in the print section occurred in 1762 with the purchase of Cardinal Domenico Passionei ‘s library, which enriched the library with rare and valuable material.

During the years of the French occupation, from 1799 to 1804, embezzlements occurred from the very print collections.

In addition to the collection of prints proper, there is the section of rare books, series of prints accompanied by descriptive texts, and those volumes in which the illustrative apparatus forms a predominant part. Part of this section, which includes works printed between the 16th and 19th centuries, are the large geographical editions of Blaeu and Jansson, herbaria, zoological and botanical texts, anatomical treatises, antiquarian collections, and works on glyptics and numismatics.

Notable among the purchases and gifts of the 19th century is theIconographia Michaeliana an interesting collection of prints relating to the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel (about 480 pieces).