This week is Banned Books Week! A new exhibition titled,
“Banned Books, Banished Writers and Historic Bonfires:
Tales from the Rare Book Collection”
is currently on display on the lower level of Hagerty Library. The collection of books featured are from Drexel’s Special Collection and chronicles several significant events in the early history of book censorship.
An Opening Reception for the Exhibition is tomorrow,
Wednesday, September 30th from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event is open to all and includes complimentary refreshments.
Please make plans to attend a reception for the exhibition “Many Littles Make a Much: A Selection of Miniature Books from Drexel University’s Special Collection,” currently on display in the W.W. Hagerty Library (33rd and Market Streets). The reception will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, from 4 to 5 p.m. on the lower level of Hagerty Library. It is open to all and includes complimentary miniature refreshments in the spirit of the miniature books.
A miniature book beside a quarter
The show, curated by Scott Ziegler, consists entirely of books measuring three or fewer inches in any dimension. Representing a cross-section of the world of miniature books, the items on display range from practical mini-dictionaries to a conceptually-driven sculptural mini-book.
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.
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.
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.
