The first in a continuing series of exhibitions to highlight Drexel University’s Special Collection is now up!
“Many Littles Make a Much: A Selection of Miniature Books from Drexel University’s Special Collection”
All the books in this show measure three or fewer inches in any dimension, and represent a cross-section of the world of miniature books. The show spans books from practical mini-dictionaries on one end, to a conceptually-driven sculptural mini-book.
In addition to drawing attention to the varied collection housed at Drexel, the show explores the tension the small structures necessitate between form and content. The authors, artists and publishers who created these books display the highest level of printing dexterity as they balance the art and craft of the miniature book.
Miniature Books on display at W.W. Hagerty Library
Detail photo of two miniature books in the exhibition at W. W. Hagerty Library
In an effort to let the Drexel community and the public at large learn more about the treasures in the Drexel University Special Collections, we’re gearing up for a number of exhibitions.
The exhibitions will feature materials that the staff think will be of wide appeal, and will be in the cases along the south wall in the lower level of Hagerty Library.
The first exhibition is being installed today – watch this space tomorrow for an announcement.
For more information about the schedule, to make suggestions for exhibitions or to just say hello, contact the Drexel University Archives at archives@drexel.edu.
A new exhibition, Frank H.M. Williams, Half a Century of Mathematics Education, is now on view on the Lower Level of Hagerty Library. Drexel alumnus Don Williams shared these photographs of his father, Frank, who was a math professor at Drexel from 1918 to 1964. Each year the Drexel Math Department awards an undergraduate prize in his name to honor Williams’ forty-six years of service to the department and to Drexel.
Can’t make it to Hagerty? Check out the online exhibition here.
Don Williams, son of Frank Williams, visits the Math Department exhibition.
Regular visitors to Drexel One will notice an increase in the number of black and white images on Drexel’s Candid Campus. Last week our photos of the 1897 Banjo Club and 1945 Machine Shop were featured. Didn’t see them? Don’t despair — they’re still online! Be sure to bookmark that page so you don’t miss any more. Or, for many more photos of Drexel in days gone by, check out our digital collections site.
Part three of a three part series
George W. Childs was the founder of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, a prominent Philadelphia newspaper, and a close friend to Anthony J. Drexel. Childs moved to Philadelphia at the age of fourteen to work for a bookseller and later became a partner in the publishing firm of R. E. Petersen & Company and then with the publisher J.P. Lippincott. Childs was a long time supporter of Drexel Institute and served on its board from its founding to his death.
The books that Childs left to the Drexel library include histories of Philadelphia, which taken together provide an important account of the development of the city from its founding. Also included in the collection is general history and history of art, multiple volumes on the history of printing and travel literature.
To learn more about this collection and to see specific books, contact the archives at archives@drexel.edu. For more information about George W. Childs, please see the finding aid for the Childs scrapbooks collection.
