William E. Fiske: Collection of English Color-Plate Books, 1935-1973

RLIN ID No.

NYGG01-A8

Creator

Fiske, William E.

Title

Materials relating to collection of English color-plate books, 1935-1973.

Physical Description

1 box (.5 linear ft.)

1 loose-leaf notebook

4 bound notebooks

Organization and Arrangement

Records of books collected organized in two series: I. Alphabetically by author; II. Chronologically, 1935-1973.

Historical/Biographical Note

Book collector residing in Morristown, New Jersey; died ca. 1977. In his early years as a collector, Fiske purchased some modern British and American first editions, but from about June 1945 he focused on English color-plate books. At his death a portion of the color plate book collection was sold at auction by Sotheby’s (7 December 1994) and part was sold via local independent booksellers.

Scope and Contents Note

One loose-leaf and four bound notebooks containing the bibliographical records of the collection of English color-plate books assembled by William E. Fiske.

General Note

Title devised by cataloger.

Finding Aid

Unpublished inventory available in repository.

Subjects

Book collecting. New Jersey. Morristown. 20^th century.

Book collectors. New Jersey. Morristown. 20^th century.

Illustrated books. England.

Color prints, English.

Private libraries. New Jersey. Morristown. 20^th century.

Genres

Library catalogues. New Jersey. Morristown. 20^th century.

Occupation (as reflected in collection)

Book collectors. New Jersey. Morristown. 20^th century.

Location

Grolier Club, 47 East 60^th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022-1098.

William E. Fiske: Inventory of Collection of English Color-Plate Books

I. Alphabetical Series (1 loose-leaf notebook)

Alphabetical record of English-color plate collection. Each entry includes appraisal made by Park-Bernet Galleries (New York City) and WEF’s estimate of their current value ca. 1971, along with note on estimated increase or decrease in value and additional manuscript notes made through 1977. Also a statistical summary of values, etc. made in 1974.

II. Chronological Series (4 bound notebooks)

Volume I: Books purchased 8 March 1935 to 21 Jan. 1944. Signed and dated by WEF Oct. 1941.

Volume II: Books purchased 29 Jan. 1944 to 11 Sept. 1946. Signed and dated by WEF 30 Jan. 1944. Two bookplates designed by WEF pasted down on inside front cover.

Volume III: 1 Oct. 1944 to 31 Dec. 1963. Signed and dated by WEF 5 Aug. 1946.

[Volume IV]: 1 Jan. 1964-Dec. 1973. Signed on inside front cover.

Some entries include WEF notes on condition and binding or on opinion of the text. A few invoices and letters from dealers have been tipped in.