Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Form Watercolors (paintings)

Kate Greenaway collection, 1868-1900 (bulk) 1868-1994 (inclusive)

Extent:: 18.81 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection consists of material created by or about the children’s author and illustrator Kate Greenaway. It consists of correspondence, original artwork, and ephemera collected by the Free Library of Philadelphia.

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

Sketchbook of architecture, 1827-1843 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1 volume
Abstract:: A sketchbook by an unknown artist containing sketches and drawings of buildings, monuments, and architectural elements around Paris and Northern France spanning from 1827 to 1843.

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

Wanda Gág papers, 1892-1968 (inclusive)

Extent:: 40 boxes
Abstract:: Personal papers of Wanda Gág, including correspondence to and from Wanda, as well as letters to and from Alma Schmidt Scott, a biographer of Gág, and letters among Gág family members; writings, such as diaries, children's books, autobiographical works, and juvenilia; notes for talks and for writings; artwork; exhibition catalogs and related publicity material; writings about Gág, including obituaries, biographical pieces, and book reviews; financial records; materials regarding the Estate of Wanda Gág; newspaper clippings; memorabilia; photographs; and examples of Happiwork, a product for children created by Gág.

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

Lily Wells water color illustrations of North American plants, 1893-1928 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet (2 boxes)
Abstract:: Lily Wells was a member of the Naturalists Field Club of the University of Pennsylvania who painted the various flora of the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. This collection comprises seven sketchbooks of her botanical watercolors, plus one bound volume of seven individual watercolor plates.

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

Scrapbook, circa 1880-1933 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1 book (0.25 linear foot)
Abstract:: Scrapbook created by an unnamed person comprising a small collection of works of art spanning the years from approximately 1880 to 1933

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

Aliki papers, 1962-1975 (inclusive)

Extent:: 7.02 linear feet
Abstract:: The Aliki papers (1962-1975) consist of a book, color separations, dummies, illustrations, and text layouts for five of the children's books she illustrated: Averages, Birds at Night, My Five Senses, The Story of William Penn, and This is the House Where Jack Lives.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

Jane Flory papers, circa 1950-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.0 linear feet
Abstract:: This is a collection of manuscripts, illustrations, and notes by Jane Flory. Documentation is present for a number of Flory's books, including Faraway Dream, Farmer John, The Golden Venture, It Was a Pretty Good Year, The Liberation of Clementine Tipton, Mist on the Mountain, One Hundred and Eight Bells, Peddler's Summer, Ramshackle Roost, A Tune for the Towpath, The Unexpected Grandchildren, and We'll Have a Friend for Lunch. Materials include manuscript drafts, notes and sketches, galley proofs, and correspondence with editors.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

Free Library of Philadelphia collection of Arthur Rackham, 1890-1938 (bulk) 1831-1996 (inclusive)

Extent:: 20.19 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection consists of material created by or about the children's illustrator Arthur Rackham. It consists of correspondence, original artwork, and ephemera collected by the Free Library of Philadelphia from a number of donors and trust fund purchases. Several hundred published volumes have been cataloged separately and are findable in the Free Library's online catalog.

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

Susanne Suba illustrations, 1948 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2.08 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection contains eighteen illustrations by artist Susanne Suba for Sonny-boy Sim, written by Elizabeth Whitemore Baker.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

Donald Ewin Cooke papers, 1947-1956 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.67 linear feet
Abstract:: Donald Cooke was a Philadelphia-area children’s book author and illustrator and the founder of the Edraydo publishing house. The Donald Ewin Cooke papers include original art for Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1947), a character doll and book jacket final art for The Silver Horn of Robin Hood (1956), and the final art by Henry Clarence Pitz for the Valley of Rebellion book jacket.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

Marguerite de Angeli papers, 1935-1977 (bulk) 1914-1982 (inclusive)

Extent:: 16.7 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection contains the papers of children’s book author and illustrator Marguerite de Angeli (1889-1987), with materials dating from 1914 to 1982 (bulk 1935-1977). Much of the collection consists of drafts and artwork for twenty-six of de Angeli’s children’s books. Also present are clippings, correspondence, dummies, proofs, and a scrapbook.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

Louise Lee and Richard Floethe papers, 1956

Extent:: 0.2 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection contains one dummy and one piece of preliminary artwork for If I Were Captain, written by Louise Lee and illustrated by Richard Floethe. If I Were Captain was the first book on which the couple collaborated and was chosen as a Junior Literary Guild Selection.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

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]

William Steig illustrations, circa 1969 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.1 linear feet
Abstract:: The collection consists of a piece of preliminary artwork and a dummy by cartoonist and children's author William Steig (1907-2003), for the book Sylvester the Magic Pebble (1969).

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

Pennell family papers, circa 1882-1951 (inclusive)

Extent:: 8 linear feet (21 boxes)
Abstract:: The Pennell family papers comprise personal correspondence of both Pennells; drafts and galleys for some of their publications; contracts; royalty statements; trust fund account statements; copies of wills; publicity materials; photographs; newspaper clippings; memorabilia; exhibition catalogs, awards, original sketches, watercolors, and prints by Joseph Pennell; and a few works by other artists.

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

Alfred Bendiner papers, 1932-1955 (inclusive)

Extent:: 5 boxes
Abstract:: The papers of architect, artist, author, and Penn alumnus Alfred Bendiner dating from 1938 to 1955, featuring his caricatures and other drawings among some of his other papers. Images of performers in stage productions, concerts, and operas in Philadelphia were created chiefly for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. The caricatures are original pencil drawings, ink drawings, or lithographs with some newspaper clippings.

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

Princeton University 250th Anniversary Celebration Collection, 1993-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:: 105 boxes, 4 folders, and 1 websites
Abstract:: The 250th anniversary of Princeton's founding as the College of New Jersey in 1746, also known by the coined term "Bicennquinquagenary", was celebrated in 1996-1997 with a yearlong series of events. The collection consists of the records of the office in charge of organizing all 250th anniversary celebration activities, as well as examples of the many publications, event programs, invitations, posters, audio and visual recordings, and commemorative artifacts created in conjunction with those activities.

Held at: Princeton University Library: University Archives [Contact Us]