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Oliver Goldsmith papers, 1758-1798 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.11 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection is comprised of letters and other documents to and from Oliver Goldsmith. The first series has letters and documents from members in his literary circle as well as documents related to Oliver Goldsmith’s works. The second series is composed of contracts between Oliver Goldsmith and John Newbery.

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

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Munro Leaf papers, 1918-1986 (inclusive)

Extent:
15.46 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection contains the literary papers of author and illustrator Munro Leaf (1905-1976), with materials dating from 1918 to 1986. Manuscript drafts and illustrations from fifty-eight titles are represented (including fourteen titles produced as part of his work for the US Army and the Foreign Service). In addition to graphite and pen and ink illustrations and manuscript drafts, the collection includes audiovisual materials, clippings, correspondence, dummies, ephemera, photographs, promotional materials, proofs, published volumes, and a scrapbook. Of particular note: the original manuscript for The Story of Ferdinand (1936) as well as a sizeable collection of materials related to the book and its many adaptations; both published and unpublished art and drafts for the Can Be Fun series; and a large quantity of materials related to Munro Leaf’s Watchbirds, serialized in Ladies Home Journal and published in six compilations.

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

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Free Library of Philadelphia Collection of Literary Manuscripts, 1666-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
23.0 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection contains letters, manuscript fragments, autographs, and other documents by famous authors. The material dates from 1666 to 1990 with the bulk of the collection consisting of letters written by the authors to various friends with some letters to editors or critics.

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

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A. Edward Newton collection, 1892-1941 (bulk) 1808-1966 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection consists of the personal and professional papers of Philadelphia book collector A. Edward Newton (1864-1940). The bulk of the materials are book manuscripts, correspondence, keepsakes, and newspaper clippings, with published volumes cataloged separately. The collection relates to his book collecting activities and was primarily compiled by his son, E. Swift Newton, with additional material given by various donors.

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

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Beatrix Potter collection, 1900-1943 (bulk) 1884-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.64 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection consists of material created by or about the children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. It contains correspondence, original artwork, manuscripts, collectibles, research material, and ephemera collected by the Free Library of Philadelphia.

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

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Ed Wynn papers, 1907-1966 (bulk) 1890-1966 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.0 linear feet (8 boxes)
Abstract:
This collection contains the correspondence and papers of actor and comedian Ed Wynn. The collection includes ideas for gags, box office records for staged productions, telegrams, postcards, 65 publicity photographs, 50 gag magazines, and family papers and mementos. There are also approximately 300 newspaper and magazine clippings about Wynn and his productions as well as 20 printed posters and artwork in various media of Wynn.

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

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Frederick R. Gardner collection of Robert Lawson, 1900-1983 (inclusive)

Extent:
69.8 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection contains the literary papers of author and illustrator Robert Lawson (1892-1957), collected by Frederick R. Gardner. Materials date from 1900 to 1983. Lawson’s illustrations make up the bulk of this collection; illustrations for forty-seven titles and unpublished artworks are represented. In addition to etchings and illustrations in graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor, the collection includes articles, clippings, correspondence, manuscript drafts, photographs, promotional materials, slides, and speeches. Some of Frederick R. Gardner's records relating to his collecting project are also represented. Of particular note are the dummy for Munro Leaf’s The Story of Ferdinand (1936) and the original art for Mr. Popper’s Penguins (1938) and Wee Gillis (1938).

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

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Colonel Richard A. Gimbel collection of Edgar Allan Poe materials, 1809-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Richard Gimbel (1898-1970) was a leading rare book and manuscript collector and the son of the founder of Gimbel's department store. Edgar Allan Poe was an American poet, short-story writer, editor, and literary critic, and is considered part of the American Romantic Movement. This collection of material was largely collected by Richard A. Gimbel and dates from 1809 to 1995. It includes numerous original manuscripts and correspondence by or related to Poe.

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

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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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Charles Dickens collection, 1832-1870 (bulk) 1832-1993 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.8 linear feet
Abstract:
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was one of the most popular English novelists of the Victorian era as well as a vigorous social campaigner. This is a collection of correspondence, manuscript material, and other items related to him. The material dates from 1832-1993, with the bulk of the material dating from 1832-1870. The bulk of the correspondence consists of autograph letters by Dickens. There are also autograph letters from Dickens’s circle of family, friends, and associates.

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

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