Part two of a three part series
The core of Drexel University Libraries Special Collections consists of a several gifts of rare books donated to the Drexel Institute by Anthony J. Drexel, George W. Childs and George M. Standish.
Anthony J. Drexel, the founder of the university, envisioned an institute not only for practical training, but also for a wide appreciation of art and culture. From its inception the Institute hosted free public meetings on a wide range of topics, and included a museum of art and ancient artifacts.
The book collection donated by A.J. Drexel focuses, in large part, on examples of typography and art. Included in the collections is a hand press translation of Virgil printed by Pierre Didot, a famous typesetter and printer in 18th Century France, as well as books on artists such as Hogarth and Rubens. There are also books ranging from natural science to history to illustrated children’s books. The variety of books in Mr. Drexel’s collection reflects his views on the importance of art and culture in addition to practical training for students. This tradition is carried on by the Libraries’ special collections today as we continue to make available these rare works from Drexel’s founder.
For more information on this collection and to see specific books contact the archives at archives@drexel.edu.
Congratulations to all the participants in Drexel Research Day today! Archiving your poster in iDEA (Drexel’s E-Repository and Archives) is a great way to improve the visibility of your research and ensure that it is preserved permanently. E-mail your poster (with an abstract please!) to archives@drexel.edu, and we will deposit it in iDEA, then send you a permanent URL that you can add to your C.V. or webpage. Your poster will always be accessible at that URL — no more broken links!
If those benefits are not enough, everyone who submits a poster to iDEA will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $50 gift certificates to the Drexel Bookstore. Send your poster to archives@drexel.edu today!
This week we’ve heard many fitting tributes to President Constantine “Taki” Papadakis as leader of Drexel University. Less has been said about Taki’s work as an engineer. His writings on hydrology, hydraulics and fluid dynamics are collected in a volume, Selected writings of Constantine N. Papadakis, available at the Drexel University Archives. Stop by the Lower Level of Hagerty Library and take a look.
Part one of a three part series
The core of Drexel University Libraries Special Collections consists of a several gifts of rare books donated to the Drexel Institute by Anthony J. Drexel, George W. Childs and George M. Standish.
Details about the life of Mr. Standish are scarce, but it seems he was a book trader active in Rome in the late 19th Century. He visited Drexel Institute as a lecturer on the history of the book and printing and in 1898 donated a collection of at least 150 books, including several incunabula (books published before 1500).
The books that Mr. Standish donated were used in the early years of the library school as practice in cataloging rare books, and later as examples for classes in the history of the book and the history of printing.
This collection reveals key developments in the techniques of printing, binding and book culture at large. It has been a source of great pride to the Drexel community and remains available to students and researchers interested in the field of book history. For details about the collection and to see specific books, contact the University Archives at archives@drexel.edu.
Calling all football enthusiasts! Today’s Candid Campus features a photograph of the 1894 Drexel Football team from the University Archives’ collections.
Be sure to log in to Drexel One and vote for your favorite caption, or supply your own!
March Madness may be over, but it is always basketball season at the Drexel University Archives. Check out out new online exhibition, Men’s Basketball at Drexel.
Created by Stanley Alston, Archives volunteer and iSchool alumnus, the exhibition traces the history of hoops at Drexel’s through photos, newspaper clippings, programs and other materials.
Basketball program, 1971-72
If you are interested in Philadelphia’s history, particularly the recent history of our neighborhood here at Drexel, you will enjoy the Archives’ new online exhibition, The History of Drexel and Powelton Village. Created by David Kruidenier, Archives intern and iSchool graduate student, the exhibition traces Drexel’s growth into the residential neighborhood of Powelton and the conflicts that resulted. The exhibition draws on the records of the Office of Community Affairs, which David has processed, and features many images from Triangle issues of the era.
Protesters in bulldozer, 1970
If you like your humor historical and your pranks in print, then check out our online exhibition, Acute Angles: A Survey of Satire in the Triangle.
The exhibition highlights sixty years of Drexel students’ mockery and madness, on topics from tuition, student life and the infamous “Drexel Shaft.”
Be sure to check out this year’s satirical Triangle, the 2009 Rectangle. (Also available in PDF.)
