Search

Start Over Form Correspondence Form Legal documents

Main content

Wagner Free Institute of Science Director's files, 1883-1948 (inclusive)

Extent:
36.42 linear feet (37 containers)
Abstract:
Incorporated by William Wagner (1796-1885) in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum and educational institution in Philadelphia that is dedicated to providing free public education in the sciences. This collection contains records of the operations of the Wagner Free Institute of Science from 1883 to 1948, including the Institute’s financial records; rental property records; and museum, library and instruction program records. The bulk of the collection is financial material and correspondence.

Held at: Wagner Free Institute of Science [Contact Us]

Main content

John Dickinson papers, 1753-1808 (bulk) 1676-1885 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.2 linear feet and 13 containers, 5 volumes
Abstract:
John Dickinson (1732-1808), a Philadelphia lawyer and politician, was a major figure in colonial Delaware and Pennsylvania governments and during the early national period. He was an active presence and prolific writer during the American Revolution and early Republic from the passage of the Sugar Act (1764) until the Jefferson presidency (1801 to 1809). He also served in the military as colonel, private, and brigadier general. He married Mary Norris in 1770. John Dickinson died in Delaware in 1808. The John Dickinson papers contains incoming and outgoing correspondence; drafts and original manuscript documents from the revolutionary and early national government, Revolutionary War, Delaware and Pennsylvania government; land papers; legal papers; bills and receipts; collected essays, notes and commonplace books; and estate material. The papers provide a clear picture of the way in which colonists envisioned their new country and how these new Americans worked, compromised and...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

Main content

Barry-Hayes papers, 1778-1861 (bulk) 1723-1875 (inclusive)

Extent:
23.0 boxes and [7 oversize volumes, and 1 oversize folder]
Abstract:
John Barry (1745-1803), often credited as the Father of the American Navy, served the Continental Navy and the United States Navy for seventeen years. He and his descendents, particularly his nephew Patrick Hayes and grand-nephew Patrick Barry Hayes, became prominent members of Philadelphia society, serving as seamen, merchants, businessmen and politicians. The Barry-Hayes papers are the business, political and personal papers of John Barry and of his family, especially Patrick Hayes and Patrick Barry Hayes. The collection includes correspondence, letterbooks, diaries, logbooks, legal and financial papers related to Barry’s career in the Navy, the business ventures of the Hayes, Keen and Somers families, and their personal lives.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Main content

John E. Hand & Sons Co. records, 1865-2002, undated [bulk dates: 1900-1980]

Extent:
26.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The John E. Hand & Sons Company was founded in Philadelphia in 1873. The Hand Company built navigational equipment for all varieties of floating vessels, and operated a chain of retail outlets with “service stations” in numerous port cities, including Baltimore and New Orleans, until 1956. Service stations sold Hand instruments as well as other nautical paraphernalia and provided compass adjusting services. The collection documents the business activities of the John E. Hand & Sons Company from its institution in 1873 to 1997, when the company was sold. The collection boasts a wide breadth of material that includes legal documents, financial records, patents, correspondence, contracts, reports, catalogs and other ephemera, photographs, and engineering plans. Together, the records provide a thorough account of the firm’s operations.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Main content

Burton Rascoe papers, 1890-1957 (inclusive) 1920-1957 (bulk)

Extent:
20 linear feet (27 boxes)
Abstract:
Burton Rascoe (1892-1957) was an American literary critic, journalist, editor, and author working in the first half of the 20th century. His confrontational style stirred up much debate and helped generate interest in up-and-coming writers that Rascoe believed showed promise; most notably, Rascoe was an early champion of writers such as James Branch Cabell, Theodore Dreiser, and H. L. Mencken. The collection consists of his correspondence, including some with famous literary figures; writings by Rascoe in draft and published form; papers relating to a lawsuit with Max Annenberg; diaries and notebooks; photographs; and clippings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Main content

Vera Dreiser papers, 1899-1961 (inclusive) 1928-1952 (bulk)

Extent:
13 linear feet (31 boxes)
Abstract:
Vera Dreiser (circa 1908-1998) was a psychologist who practiced first in New York from 1947 to 1961, and later in California until her retirement in 1972. She is the niece of novelist Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) and of composer Paul Dresser (1858-1906). This collection is comprised of materials from Vera Dreiser's personal and professional life as well as materials related to the musical and literary estates of Paul Dresser and Theodore Dreiser.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Main content

Harold Dies papers relating to the Dreiser Trust, 1903-2013 (inclusive) 1955-2012 (bulk)

Extent:
9 linear feet (9 boxes)
Abstract:
Harold Dies (1914-2012) was a trustee of the Dreiser Trust from its establishment following Helen Dreiser's death in 1955 to his own death in 2012. The Dreiser Trust managed the income and approved contracts for sale of Theodore Dreiser's published works. This collection documents Harold Dies' work with the Dreiser trust and includes financial information; agreements, copyright, correspondence, and royalty statements relating to the works of Helen Dreiser, Theodore Dreiser (bulk), and Paul Dresser; correspondence relating to the Trust and the estates of family members; legal and court records relating to estates of family members; some personal material of Harold Dies and members of the Dreiser family (including Gertrude A. Hopkins Dorn (niece of Theodore Dreiser), Helen Dreiser, Theodore Dreiser, Vera Dreiser, and Paul Dresser (brother of Theodore Dreiser)); and publications using Dreiser material or Dreiser-inspired content.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Main content

Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia records, circa 1820-1994 (inclusive)

Extent:
126 boxes
Abstract:
The correspondence and business records of the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia contain minutes of its earliest meetings; the membership, repertoire, and organization of its orchestra and chorus; information regarding financial relief afforded to its professional members and their families; programs and other materials related to the history of Musical Fund Hall (1848-1982); committee files; financial records; photographs of portraits painted by John Clarendon Darley, Thomas Sully, Rembrandt Peale, Charles Willson Peale, and others; and administrative records for the Musical Fund Society Foundation, a separate corporation formed in 1983.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Main content

Philadelphia Orchestra Association records, 1900-2023 (inclusive)

Extent:
570 linear feet and 36 linear feet (36 boxes. these are currently available for research.)
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Orchestra was founded in 1900, and has developed and maintained its status as a prominent symphonic ensemble throughout its existence. Its history informs and intersects with the broader history of music in the twentieth century, as well as numerous historical movements, events and developments on a regional, national and global scale. The records of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association document its activities from 1900 to 2023 through administrative records, concert programs, photographs, scrapbooks and audio and visual recordings. This collection is not fully processed. While materials listed here have been processed and are available for research, a significant portion of the collection, labeled "unavailable," remains in process and cannot be consulted at this time. As soon as additional portions of the collection are completed they will be made available via additions to this finding aid. The last addition of completed materials occurred on October 26, 2023.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Main content

Leary and Company (Leary's Bookstore) archives, 1840s-1969

Extent:
21.0 boxes and and 91 volumes
Abstract:
William A. Leary, was a small-time book seller in 1836 when he journeyed to Philadelphia to establish a sidewalk book stall on North Second Street. As business prospered, Leary moved to several different locations, finally settling at 138 North Second Street which was right next door to the Camel Tavern, a landmark in Philadelphia. Leary’s Book Store specialized in selling inexpensive, second—hand books. Because of its large inventory and cheap prices, Leary’s developed a national reputation. In addition to selling and buying books, Leary expanded his base of operations by venturing into the publishing business in the 1850s. William A. Leary, Jr. took over the book store in 1865. Stuart and Charles Mann purchased the store from the Leary Estate in 1876. Under the Stuart’s management, Leary’s became one of the largest old book dealers in the world. As more people moved to and shopped in the suburbs, Leary’s customer base declined. Leary’s went out of business on November 20, 1968....(see more)

Held at: Temple University Libraries Special Collections Research Center [Contact Us]

Limit your search

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

Current results range from 1533 to 2023

View larger »