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Ernest Cushing Richardson Collection of Papal Seals

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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

Richardson, Ernest Cushing, 1860-1939

Ernest Cushing Richardson (1860-1939) was an American librarian, theologian and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of American librarianship. He was the University Librarian for Princeton University from 1890 to 1925, and during his tenure invented a new cataloging system that was specific to the Princeton library, often called the "Princeton system" or the "Richardson system". In 1925, Richardson became consultant to the Library of Congress. He died in Switzerland in 1939.

Richardson, Ernest Cushing, 1860-1939

Ernest Cushing Richardson (1860-1939) was an American librarian, theologian and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of American librarianship. He was the University Librarian for Princeton University from 1890 to 1925, and during his tenure invented a new cataloging system that was specific to the Princeton library, often called the "Princeton system" or the "Richardson system". In 1925, Richardson became consultant to the Library of Congress. He died in Switzerland in 1939.

This collection consists of twelve papal seals, including seals for Pope Paul III and Pope Urban VIII. Papal seals were made of lead instead of sealing wax. They were attached to the bottom of documents by chords and called bullas, which caused papal documents to be referred to as papal bulls. The seals were collected by Ernest Cushing Richardson, a former University Librarian.

Gift of Ernest Cushing Richardson (AM 2017-142).

This collection was processed by Chloe Pfendler in April 2017. Finding aid written by Chloe Pfendler in April 2017.

No materials were separated from the collection during 2017 processing.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Author
Chloe Pfendler
Finding Aid Date
2017
Access Restrictions

Open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Pope Leo XII, 1878-1903. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Clement X, 1670-1676. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Clement XI, 1700-1721. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Pius IV, 1559-1565. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Pius IX, 1846-1878. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Innocent VIII, 1484-1492. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Paul III, 1534-1549. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Urban VIII (1 of 2), 1623-1644. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Urban VIII (2 of 2), 1623-1644. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Sixtus V (1 of 2), 1585-1590. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Sixtus V (2 of 2), 1585-1590. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

Pope Benedict XIV, 1740-1758. 1 item.
Physical Description

1 item

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