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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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John Frederick Lewis collection of autographs of engravers, 1775-1850 (bulk) 1721-1914 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.43 linear feet
Abstract:
John Frederick Lewis was a Philadelphia lawyer, philanthropist, and collector of writing samples. This collection contains letters, receipts, and other documents by British engravers. Most of the material was written in England between 1775 and 1850. Many of the letters discuss artistic matters and contain references to well-known engravings.

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

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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]

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History of the Book and Illustrations collection, circa 1250-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.46 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection contains material that shows the history of the book. The majority of the examples of manuscripts are illustrations but there are a few letters and other documents. The printed material in this collection spans the 13th to the late 16th centuries and contains examples of different printing techniques.

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

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Historical manuscripts collection, 1775-1885 (bulk) 1347-1969 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
This is a varied collection of historical manuscripts obtained by the Free Library of Philadelphia over the course of its history. The collection dates from 1347 to 1969 and is primarily an autograph collection. The collection includes American, British, and European materials; the majority of the items are American. There are typewritten transcriptions of some of the letters in the collection.

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

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W. Atlee Burpee Jr. collection of Lincoln papers, 1861-1865 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until he was assassinated in April 1865. He led the United States through the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery. The Burpee collection of Lincoln papers covers the time period between 1861 and 1865 and consists of thirty-four items.

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]

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Fine Press prospectuses and ephemera, 1955-1982 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.33 linear feet
Abstract:
The collection contains material from fine presses and individual printers received by the Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The bulk of the items are prospectuses, but the collection also includes greeting cards, keepsakes, printed advertisements, and samples.

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

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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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19th Century playbills, 1852-1902 (bulk) 1803-1939 (inclusive)

Extent:
29.25 linear feet (117 volumes (many volumes are boxed))
Abstract:
The 19th Century playbills collection contains a range of material related to theater culture in nineteenth century Philadelphia and in selected other theaters across the northeastern United States. Researchers will find nineteenth century playbills from the following Philadelphia theaters: the Walnut Street Theatre, the Academy of Music, the Arch Street Theatre, the Chestnut Street Theatre, National Theatre (Walnut Street), the National Theatre (Chestnut Street), the Melodeon, and the Continental Theatre. There are also playbills from the Chestnut Street, Arch Street, and 11th Street opera houses. This collection contains an assortment of scrapbooks which include newspaper clippings, photographs, and reviews of actors and performances. The majority of scrapbooks were assembled by various theater enthusiasts; however ten were compiled by theater producer and director Paul E. Glase, who was active in the Philadelphia theater scene during the early twentieth century. Because the...(see more)

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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Norman H. and Charlotte Strouse collection of letters of the presidents, 1780-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.4 linear feet
Abstract:
This is a collection of manuscript letters of presidents of the United States dating from 1780 to 1993 collected by Norman H. Strouse. All of the presidents are represented except for Abraham Lincoln, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan. The letters and other documents relating to Abraham Lincoln have been separated into their own collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Older letters are generally more substantive, with more recent letters mostly being short notes of thanks.

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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Frank Edwin Elwell papers, 1883-1972 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.63 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection consists of articles, biographical material, photographs, and scrapbooks related to the American sculptor Frank Edwin Elwell (1858-1922), compiled by his son and daughter-in-law, Alcott Farrar Elwell and Helen Chaffee Elwell.

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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Thornton Oakley collection of Howard Pyle and his students, 1887-1951 (bulk) 1841-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:
15.83 linear feet
Abstract:
The Thornton Oakley collection of Howard Pyle and his students covers the influential artistic career of Howard Pyle and several of his students, most notably Maxfield Parrish, Violet Oakley, and N.C. Wyeth. The collection includes a wide range of materials, which was collected and assembled by Pyle’s former student Thornton Oakley. There are tear sheets of artwork published in magazines, original illustrations, photographs, research notes, manuscripts, and correspondence. Besides Howard Pyle, artists well represented in this collection include Elizabeth Shippen Green, Jessie Wilcox Smith, George Harding, Violet Oakley, N.C. Wyeth, and a large collection of material on Maxfield Parrish. There is also a series dedicated to the children’s author and art historian, Henry Clarence Pitz, who researched and wrote The Brandywine Tradition about Pyle and his artistic influence. The collection’s primary strength is the collection of artwork by Pyle and his students, some of...(see more)

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

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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]

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