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Portrait Print Collection
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Held at: Bryn Mawr College [Contact Us]Bryn Mawr College Library, 101 N. Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr 19010
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Bryn Mawr College. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Seymour Adelman was a Philadelphia based collector of prints, letters, and ephemera. Although he worked in real-estate – a family business – he is most well known for his extensive collecting habits. Adelman has no direct relation to Bryn Mawr, but was invited to visit by James Tanis, the director Canaday Library. The then newly build library offered Adelman an office and a space to house his collection, and this formed the relationship between Bryn Mawr College and Adelman.
Adelman's extensive collection contained material on Thomas Eakins, John Keats, Claude Lovat Fraser, and Laurence Hausman, as well as a large collection of letters. In addition to this work, Adelman also collected fine art prints, material related to the history of the book and publishing, and architectural history, among other interests. Most of this collection of portaits was originally part of Adelman's collection of prints and drawings.
This is a collection of portraits on paper. Most of this collection is portraits of specific artists and writers, but there are also some unidentified drawings and caricatures. The collection contains lithographs, intaglio prints (mostly engravings), and a few drawings. See folder descriptions for more details.
Please note there is an additional folder of material in the collection "Adelman Oversize Prints."
- Publisher
- Bryn Mawr College
- Finding Aid Author
- Elliot Krasnopoler
- Access Restrictions
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This collection is open for research. Records containing personal or confidential student information may be used subject to the discretion of the president of the college.
- Use Restrictions
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The Maps Collection is the physical property of the Special Collections Department, Bryn Mawr College Library.
Collection Inventory
With a few exceptions, this folder mostly contains small (about 5x7 to 8x10 inches) portrait prints of specific people, often labeled directly on the print. Most prints are from the 19th century, with a few from the 18th and 20th. The prints are in good collection; some are matted or were previously framed. Of note: Large engraving of Edward Harley, c. 1745, colored print of "Mrs Gibbs Street Walker and Extorter," 1799. About 24 prints total.
This folder a number of lithographs which were clearly part of bound or grouped collections of prints depicting well-known British and French authors and artists. Most of the prints in this folder are on poor quality paper, evidenced by discoloration perhaps from acidic paper or mold. Many of the prints are given a number and letter numeration, perhaps in Adelman's hand. About 32 prints total.
This folder contains drawings of unidentified subjects, one print of anonymous subjects, caricatures, and photographs. (1) Five ink and crayon drawings by Stone, 20th century. (2) Two small drawings by Ford J. Jones, 1894. (3) Caricature of Eva Le Galliene. (4) Sixteen sketches and caricatures by Eric Kennington. (5) One large lithograph or linotype titled "Seconds," illegible artist. (6) Three photograph of Thomas Hardy.