As the institutional memory of Drexel, the Archives collects, preserves and makes accessible the records of the University. You’ll sometimes find us here in Hagerty Library, but just as often we’re in MacAlister or Curtis or Main, listening to faculty and staff tell us about what they do and the records they create. After one such meeting, a professor eloquently expressed the following sentiments:

“I have been wondering how I could preserve these bits of my office’s history for… posterity. I had not thought of the Archives. Now, that’s taken care of. Thanks.”

If you’d like to make sure the work of your lab, office or department is preserved for all those who follow in your footsteps (and make a little more room in your filing cabinet or hard drive), please contact us!

President MacAlister in his office. Click for larger image.

The current exhibition Many Littles Make a Much: A Selection of Miniature Books from Drexel University’s Special Collection has been on display for a couple of weeks now, and has received a fair share of admiration.

A reception for the show is planned for July 22.  Watch this space for more details.

In addition to the physical exhibition, an online version is now available.

For more information about this exhibition, future exhibitions or to see miniature books, contact the archives.

Next time you swing by the Lower Level of Hagerty Library, be sure to check out the Drexel University’s Special Collection exhibition: “Many Littles Make a Much” — a collection of miniature books.

The exhibition cases have recently been moved to make room for the periodicals, now also located in the Lower Level. The exhibition is now along the north wall.

Be sure to pass by often to see new exhibitions as they happen!

For more information about the Special Collection, contact the University Archives.

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.

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.