Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1766

Repository:

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

Extent:

.4 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Sessler and Co. records related to private book and art collections, circa 1930s-1975, Ms. Coll. 1766, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

circa 1930s to 1975 (inclusive)

Creator:

Sessler & Co. (Firm)

Form:

Correspondence and Ledgers (account books)

Abstract:

Charles Sessler (1854-1935) opened his bookstore at 1314 Walnut Street, in Philadelphia, in 1906; specializing in rare books, autographs, prints and paintings. When he died in 1935, the shop was run by his son, J. Leonard Sessler (1894-1951) and his assistant, Mabel Zahn (1890-1975). Zahn directed the shop from 1951 (the time of Sessler's death) until her own death in 1975. This collection consists of ledgers showing the acquisitions of five book and art collectors from the 1930s through the 1970s. These book collectors include Moncure Biddle (1882-1956); Harry Dalton (1895-1990); F. R. Heryer; Morrill [no first name]; and Florence Foerderer Tonner (1882-1971). Of the five, Florence Tonner's collecting is best documented.

Charles Sessler (1854-1935) opened his bookstore at 1314 Walnut Street, in Philadelphia, in 1906. He specialized in rare books, autographs, prints and paintings. When he died in 1935, the shop was run by his son, J. Leonard Sessler (1894-1951) and his assistant, Mabel Zahn (1890-1975). Zahn directed the shop from 1951 (the time of Sessler's death) until her own death in 1975.

The bulk of the material in this collection appears to have been created under the direction of Mabel Zahn who was in charge of rare books, manuscripts and prints from the time of Charles Sessler's death until her own. She worked with many notable collectors, including Charles J. Rosenblum and Richard Dietrich; as well as with institutions such as the American Philosophical Society, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Delaware County Historical Society.

This collection consists of ledgers showing the acquisitions of five book and art collectors from the 1930s through the 1970s. These book collectors include Moncure Biddle (1882-1956); Harry Dalton (1895-1990); F. R. Heryer; Morrill [no first name]; and Florence Foerderer Tonner (1882-1971). Of the five, Florence Tonner's collecting is best documented.

The ledgers include a date [presumably of purchase], a title of a book or artwork, and a price. In addition to purchases, there are also notes about items returned. The ledgers have alphabetical tabs and within each tab, there are lists of titles as well as authors beginning with that letter. For example; according to Muhlenberg College, Tonner was arguably the most important private collector of William Blake in America. In her ledgers, in the "B" section, there are books with titles beginning with B as well as a list of her William Blake items.

While less information can be found on Heryer and Morrill; Moncure Biddle who operated a Philadelphia-based publishing company (Moncure Biddle & Co.) was known as a bibliophile and for publishing a series of "Christmas Letters" on literary and bibliographic topics during the 1940s. Harry Dalton and his wife, Mary K. Dalton, were collectors of art, rare books and manuscripts; many of which they donated to Duke University, The Mint Museum, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Florence Tonner was an avid collector of art and assembled an extensive private collections of prints; a collection of William Blake works (which she donated to the Philadelphia Museum of Art upon her death); and a collection of Bibles, including Martin Luther's own Latin Bible from which he translated, and the first Bible ever printed in America.