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Start Over Repository Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department Form Biographies

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Mary Wickham Bond papers on the "real" James Bond, 1907-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.17 linear feet (4 containers)
Abstract:
The lives of James and Mary Bond, a Philadelphia ornithologist and author, respectively, were altered the day that author Ian Fleming, a bird lover who was familiar with Bond’s book, “The Birds of the West Indies,” appropriated James Bond’s name for his fictional spy character. The resulting confusion prompted Mary Wickham Bond to write “How 007 Got His Name,” in 1966, in which she tells the story of the real James Bond. This collection consists of Mary Wickham Bond’s collection of information regarding her husband, her own works on the writing, publishing and promoting of her books about her husband, and David Contosta’s writings about her husband.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department [Contact Us]

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Lubin Manufacturing Company records, 1881-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
9.6 linear feet (41 containers, 1 flatfile drawer, 3 artifacts)
Abstract:
Siegmund Lubin (1851-1923) founded the Lubin Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which, from 1895 to just before its collapse in 1916, grew to be one of the largest motion picture production companies in the world. His moviemaking empire started with the purchase of one film projector in 1895. Before long, it included a chain of movie theaters, multiple state-of-the-art production studios across the United States, hundreds of employees, numerous patents for recording and projecting equipment, and international movie distribution. Lubin's logo and motto, "Clear As A Bell," referred to the superior quality of his motion picture images. The Lubin Manufacturing Company records, 1881-2006, contains photographs, advertisements, business records, publicity materials, and artifacts documenting Siegmund Lubin’s short-lived career as one of America’s most successful film producers during the silent film era. While the collection does not include any full-length Lubin films,...(see more)

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department [Contact Us]