Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 118

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

3 volumes (118, 128, 131 leaves)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Ms. Coll. 118, William James Campbell, Bibliographic records of late 18th century Philadelphia imprints, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

circa 1875-1930 (inclusive)

Creator:

Campbell, William James

Form:

Manuscripts, American -- 20th century, Manuscripts, American -- 19th century, and Bibliographies

Abstract:

Bibliography comprising the bibliographic records of Philadelphia imprints spanning the years from 1765 to1800 consisting of three volumes compiled by William J. Campbell circa 1875 to 1930.

William James Campbell was a Philadelphia bookseller and publisher. He received an M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1871, where he studied medicine under Joseph Leidy. Campbell originally intended to pursue a medical career, but was diverted by the failing health of his father, John Campbell, who operated a successful book business he had established in 1850. In 1874 William Campbell took over the bookstore upon his father's death. He experienced such success in the book business that he was referred to as the Dean of books within the city of Philadelphia. He collected American first editions, Jeffersonia, and lithographic prints by Albert Newsam. Campbell was active in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Germantown Historical Society and the Catholic Total Abstinence Movement. He married Elizabeth Martin in 1882, and they had four children.

Three volumes handwritten and in typescript that have been disbound. The volumes comprise the bibliographic records of Philadelphia imprints spanning the years from 1765 to1800. The bibliography was compiled by William J. Campbell circa 1875 to 1930. Campbell made an effort to reproduce the appearance of the title page of each imprint he cataloged The three volumes form one continuous collection of records. The division into three volumes appears to have been done by Campbell himself. Each disbound volume has been enclosed in an archival wrapper. Much of the paper is acidic and brittle.