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Booksellers' League of New York Records
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. 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
Founded in 1895, the Booksellers' League of New York was an organization aimed at promoting a professional and collaborative spirit among members of the book trade. Its founding officers were J. N. Wing of Charles Scribner's Sons, A. Growoll of Publishers' Weekly, and C. E. Savage, of G. P. Putnam's Sons. The League organized social events related to the profession, most notably monthly dinners with invited speakers and an annual banquet. It also sponsored an employment bureau and lectures related to the interests of book professionals. Originally a men's-only club, the League first admitted women in 1949.
The bulk of the collection consists of meeting minutes of the annual meetings and Board of Managers meetings, 1895-1932 (5 vols.) and of materials relating to the League's monthly dinners and other social events, 1901-1958 (invitation cards, programs, menus, handbills, and related membership mailings). Also present are Board of Managers records, 1940-1967, including meeting agendas, ballots, draft changes to the constitution, and related correspondence; general correspondence, 1908-1955; two annual reports (1913 and 1927); one treasurer's report (1955); two newsletters (1940 and 1952); two membership brochures (undated, ca. 1930s and 1950s); news clippings relating to book publications (1930s and 1940s); and one yellow ribbon dated 1916 and bearing the seal of the Booksellers' League and the words "Field Day." Of special interest is a membership mailing announcing the admission of women to the League (1949).
Organized into the following records groups:
Purchased from Rulon-Miller Books in 2010 (AM2010-132).
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This collection was processed by Regine Heberlein in September 2010. Finding aid written by Regine Heberlein.
No appraisal information is available.
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Regine Heberlein
- Finding Aid Date
- 2010
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Collection Inventory
The Minute Books group contains minutes of annual meetings and Board of Managers meetings. The books also include committee rosters and treasurer's reports.
Arranged chronologically.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Contains a copy of the 1895 constitution.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
The Board of Managers Records group consists of records created by the Board of Managers. It includes an incomplete set of agendas, committee rosters, and correspondence related to board membership as well as election ballots from select years. It also contains printed and draft versions of the League's constitution and single treasurer's and annual reports. Researchers who are interested in a more complete set of reports are advised to consult the League's minute books.
Arranged alphabetically by genre of material.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
Contains copies of the League's constitutions of 1905, 1942, and 1954 as well as various draft versions. A copy of the 1895 constitution is included in box 1, vol. 4.
Physical Description1 folder
Contains one treasurer's report, 1955, and two annual reports, 1913, 1927.
Physical Description1 folder
The Social Events group contains materials pertaining to the League's social activities. It includes invitations, menus, programs, handbills, and related correspondence.
Arranged chronologically.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
The Correspondence group consists of correspondence with publishers and literary agents covering the years 1908-1955.
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
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1 folder
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Contains two newsletters (1940 and 1952); two membership brochures (undated, ca. 1930s and 1950s); news clippings relating to book publications (1930s and 1940s); miscellaneous notes; and one yellow ribbon dated 1916 and bearing what appears to be the sea.
Not arranged according to any arrangement scheme.
Physical Description1 folder