Physical Description

2 boxes (.8 linear ft.)

General Note

Title devised by cataloger.

Historical/Biographical Note

Justin Winsor, historian and librarian, attended Boston Latin School and Harvard College. He left before taking his degree and studied for some years in Europe, mastering several European languages. Returning to his home in Boston, Winsor become a regular contributor to periodicals and began to compile bibliographical references on topics such as George Washington, Daniel Webster, and the Federalist papers. During a crisis in the administration of the Boston Public Library, Winsor, then a trustee, was asked to take temporary charge and remained until 1871. Even after leaving this post, he remained a leader in the library movement and was a founder of the American Library Association and Library Journal. His major energies were devoted to bibliographical research and editing in the field of American history, and he applied his learning and executive ability to large projects such as the Reader’s Handbook of American History (1879), The Memorial History of Boston (4 vols., 1880-81) and the Narrative and Critical History of America (8 vols., 1884-89).

Scope and Contents

Two collections of bibliographical references for material by and about Daniel Webster and three such collections for orations about George Washington and some other Washington references. Also bibliographies compiled in 1859 on the following subjects: Blackstone’s Commentaries; Knickerbocker’s New York; editions of Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, the Federalist Papers; Junius; and William Shakespeare. Also notes for “Western memorabilia”; New York City history, with emphasis on the early 1850s and 1870s; and other miscellaneous projects. Includes an engraving of Napoleon’s house on St. Helena by Baynes, and a portion of an account kept by a Dorchester, Massachusetts weaver during the period 1781-1793.

Names

Blackstone, William, 1723-1780. Commentaries on the Laws of England. Bibliography.

Irving, Washington, 1783-1859. History of New York. Bibliography.

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Notes on the State of Virginia. Bibliography.

Junius, 18^th cent. Letters of Junius. Bibliography.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Bibliography.

Washington, George, 1732-1799. Orations. Bibliography.

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852. Bibliography.

Federalist. Bibliography.

Subjects

New York (N.Y.). 19^th century. Bibliography.

Genre

Account books. Massachusetts. Dorchester. 18^th century.

Engravings. 19^th century.

Occupation (as reflected in collection)

Bibliographers. Massachusetts. Boston. 19^th century.

Location

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

Collection Inventory

Box 1

Bibliographies in autograph of JW contained in notebooks (6-3/4" x 8") with marbled covers. Each title is dated 1859. The leaves are not numbered.

A catalogue of all the American editions of Knickerbocker’s New York and Blackstone’s Commentaries.

[Both titles in one notebook. Irving’s History of New York, purportedly written by Dietrich Knickerbocker, was first published in 1809.]

A catalogue of all the editions of Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia and the Federalist.

[Both titles in one notebook.]

A catalogue of all the editions of Junius letters.

[“Junius” was the pseudonym of a writer who contributed letters to the London Public Advertiser between 1768 and 1772 aimed to discredit the ministry of the Duke of Grafton. Letters on some other topics appeared in later years. “Junius” has been tentatively identified as Sir Philip Francis (1740-1818).]

A catalogue of all the editions of Shakespeare.

A list of the writings of Daniel Webster, undated. Unnumbered leaves.

[This bibliography is written in a paper bound notebook (6-1/2" x 8") imprinted on the cover: The Boston Writing Books/Shepard, Clark & Co., 110 Washington Street. There is also a loose (unbound) collection of slips for a list of speeches by Daniel Webster.]

Notes for Western Americana, undated.

[Disbound from damaged boards; boards retained in collection.]

Descriptions of early printed books; includes citations to catalogs of incunabula. [These 23 leaves found in collection but in a different hand.]

Box 2

George Washington: Orations following his death, 1800.

[Bibliography; on paper slips in autograph of JW].

George Washington: Bibliography of orations, ca. 1800-1862.

[On paper slips in autograph of JW.]

George Washington: Bibliography of writings by and about, ca. 1795-1868.

[On paper slips in autograph of JW.]

References written and printed on nine topics, including reference works dictionaries, biographical encyclopedias and oil, undated. [In autograph of JW.]

Chichester, R. (weaver). Account book.

[Disbound and stained; entries show work done and money received (in pounds, shillings and

pence) for period 1781 to 1793 with some gaps.]

Baynes (artist not identified). Engraving of Napoleon’s residence on St. Helena, undated (image area: 3-3/4" x 6").