Search

Start Over Record Source Other PACSCL Partners Year 1600 to 1649

Main content

Simon Gratz autograph collection, 1343-1928

Extent:
190.0 linear feet (; 633 boxes (18 volumes in boxes))
Abstract:
The collection was assembled by Simon Gratz, Philadelphia lawyer, school board member, and trustee of the Free Library. He began collecting at age 17 and, by the time he died, amassed about 175,000 manuscripts and portrait engravings and lithographs. Many of the latter he personally commissioned. In 1916 he became a vice-president of the Historical Society. Gratz continued until the end of his life to deal with such notable American collectors as George Brinley, Louis J. Cist, Adrien Joline, Charles J. Jones, E.H. Leffingwell, and Joseph J. Mickley. The dealers with whom he dealt included Charavay in Paris, Naylor and Maggs in London, Cohn in Berlin, Benjamin in New York, and A.S.W. Rosenbach in Philadelphia. The records of his transactions survive from 1861 to 1925 in his "Autograph Journals." On January 1, 1925, Gratz noted that his collection had, because of astute sales and exchanges, "cost less than nothing." Gratz acquired his collection by exchange with and purchase from a...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Main content

Simon Gratz autograph collection, 1517-1925 (inclusive)

Extent:
130.4 linear feet (; 326 boxes)
Abstract:
This autograph collection was created by Simon Gratz, starting in his late teens. A myriad of documents are included and represent Gratz’s philosophy of collecting and the many relationships he formed with other collectors in the United States and abroad. Contained here are autographed letters, legal documents, and artifacts from many prominent and well known figures and personalities in the arts, religion, government, education, and military. While there are some non-substantive letters written to Gratz much of the collection includes correspondence between prominent women and men across classes, professions, and nationalities. The collection dates from the sixteenth century to the early twentieth century. Besides date range, this collection differs slightly from the Simon Gratz collection (#250A) in its alphabetical arrangement, compared to the arrangement by categories/subjects (Case) in #250A. One other distinction in this collection are the personal letters and papers of Simon...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Main content

Parrish and Pemberton families papers, 1614-1880

Extent:
1.0 linear feet (; 2 boxes, 3 volumes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:
The Parrish and Pemberton families were wealthy Quaker merchants living in Philadelphia during the 18th century. They shared a dedication to several benevolent causes, among them the abolition of slavery, improvement of relations with the Indians, penal reform, and the poor. This collection contains a selection of documents from and pertaining to both families. The Parrish documents focus on several noted family members, principally John Parrish (1728/29-1807), who was a Quaker minister active in promoting good relations with the Indians, and his nephew Dr. Joseph Parrish (1779-1840), a noted Philadelphia physician who was an outspoken abolitionist and crusader for penal reform. The Parrish family documents then follow Joseph Parrish’s sons Dillwyn Parrish (1809-1886), a prominent Philadelphia pharmacist who was also a dedicated abolitionist and crusader for racial equality, and his brother Samuel Parrish (1822-1872), who appears to be largely responsible for gathering much of the...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Main content

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]

Main content

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]

Main content

New York Monthly Meeting (Pre-Separation) Records (including Flushing Monthly Meeting), 1640-1828 (inclusive)

Extent:
12 linear ft. (42 volumes and 1 folder)
Abstract:
Records of the pre-Separation New York Monthly Meeting, also called Flushing Monthly Meeting, 1640-1828. Includes men's & women's minutes, vital Records and records of Building Committees for Queen Street, 1774-76, and Rose Street, 1823-24. Earliest volume of minutes, 1671-1703, also contains minutes of New York Yearly Meeting and Westbury Quarterly Meeting.

Held at: Quaker Meeting Records at Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections and Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

Main content

William Penn Charter School archives, 1611-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:
17 linear ft. (24 boxes, 1 oversized drawer, 150+ books, 24 microfilm reels, 1 box of 3-dimensional objects, 1 box of stereopticon photographs)
Abstract:
The William Penn Charter School archives contain the financial, historical, business, and social records of the school, dating back as far as 1611. Documents signed by William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, and former Philadelphia mayors William Hudson and Edward Shippen, are included as well as a variety of school texts and memorabilia, which illuminate the traditions and history of the William Penn Charter School.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

Main content

Delafield Family Papers, 1393-1985 (inclusive) 1800-1950 (bulk)

Extent:
164 boxes, 1 oversize folder, and 70 linear feet
Abstract:
The Delafields were avid collectors of family history and family-related memorabilia in the Hudson River Valley region of New York state. This collection consists of the papers of the Delafield family and related families, most prominently the Livingstons, containing both personal papers and papers collected for their genealogical and historical significance.

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

Main content

Radcliffe Family Papers, 1530-1779 (inclusive) 1699-1757 (bulk)

Extent:
2 boxes and 0.84 linear feet
Abstract:
Consists primarily of letters and assorted documents of the Radcliffe Family of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, partly concerning trade with the Ottoman Empire. Also included are letters and legal documents pertaining to the Clarke and Evelyn families of England.

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

Limit your search

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

Current results range from 1 to 2022

View larger »