Finding Aids

Archives, Letters & Manuscripts

The Library's manuscript and archival collections cover a period of over four hundred years, and contain a great deal of unique and valuable research material supporting the Club's focus on printing, bookselling, and book collecting. The Library's autograph collections include letters documenting the bookish activities of Jean Grolier, Thomas Wotton (the "English Grolier"), Jacques de Thou, Cardinal Mazarin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Frognall Dibdin, and Guglielmo Libri. The cornerstone of the Club's archival holdings on book collecting is the Phillipps Collection, some three thousand books, manuscripts, and letters pertaining to Sir Thomas Phillipps, the great nineteenth-century English bibliomaniac. The Library also holds a number of important dealer archives, including those of Édouard Rahir, Arthur Swann, E. P. Goldschmidt, and the Scribner rare book department, to name just a few. Of note is a collection of some three hundred letters of Sir Sydney Cockerell (1867-1962) to Grolier Club member Harold Peirce (d. 1932), dating from 1897-1931, and illustrating Cockerell's hitherto largely undocumented activities as a book agent and rare book dealer (See Arthur L. Schwarz's Dear Mr. Cockerell, Dear Mr. Peirce : an annotated description of the correspondence of Sydney C. Cockerell and Harold Peirce in the Grolier Club archive. High Wycombe : Rivendale Press, 2006). A high-spot in the Club's collections of printing history is a group of three manuscript ledgers documenting the London printing firm of William Bowyer & Son from 1710 to 1773, a unique and singularly complete record of 18th-century printing practice. And finally, book designers, illustrators, and typographers are represented in archival collections of Frederic Warde, Bruce Rogers, Rudolph Ruzicka, Sidney L. Smith, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, and others. All these collections are supported and complemented by the papers of bookish organizations, such as the Bibliographical Society of America (BSA) and the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA).

Below is a complete list of processed archival collections held by the Grolier Club Library, with links to detailed finding aids.

For collection subject guides, see the Library-->Guide to the Collections page of this website.

ADLER, ELMER. Letters to Jean Adler Cohen, 1898-1958   
ADLER, ELMER (ESTATE). Papers, 1934-1964  
ALLEN, CHARLES DEXTER Diaries  
AMERICAN TRUST FOR THE BRITISH LIBRARY (ATBL) Records  
ANDREWS, WILLIAM LORING. Bibliopegy [manuscript], 1902  
ANDREWS, WILLIAM LORING. Papers re the book arts, 1866-1920  
ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. Records, 1949-  
ARS LIBRI/J.M. EDELSTEIN American Small Press Ephemera Collection  
ASHBURNHAM, EARL Library Catalog Manuscript  
ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DE BIBLIOPHILIE (AIB) Programs and Ephemera  
AUSLANDER, JOSEPH. Papers, ca. 1925-1969  
AUSTIN, GABRIEL. Library of Jean Grolier [typescript], 1965-1995  
AUSTIN, GABRIEL. Papers re French book auction catalogs, ca. 1973-1996  
AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT Collection of the Grolier Club  
BANCROFT-PARKMAN, INC./ AMERICAN BOOK PRICES CURRENT. Records, ca. 1972-  
BENNETT, PAUL. Papers re Frederic Warde, 1921-1966  
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. Records, 1904-  
BORSODI, VICTOR H. Bruce Rogers collection, 1924-1975  
BOWYER-NICHOLS (FIRM : LONDON, ENGLAND). Ledgers, 1710-1805.  
BOWYER-NICHOLS (FIRM : LONDON, ENGLAND). Ledgers, Vol IX, 1813.  
BRADLEY, JOHN WILLIAM. Reproductions of illuminated manuscripts, ca. 1873-1910  
BRICK ROW BOOKSHOP Records  
BRUNET, Jacques-Charles, Manuel de libraire Collection  
CARTERET BOOK CLUB (NEWARK, N.J.). Records, 1902-1958  
CARY, MELBERT B. Collection of Goudyana [Frederic W. Goudy]  
CHERNOFSKY, JACOB. AB Antiquarian Bookman’s Records   
CHEW, BEVERLY. Papers, 1883-1926  
CHISWICK BOOK SHOP OFFICINA BODONI Records, 1923-1991  
CLARKE, BERT Papers, 1871-1993, (bulk 1941-1993)  
CLUB BINDERY Research Collection, [1895]-2004  
CLUB OF ODD VOLUMES (BOSTON, MASS.). Printed ephemera, 1934-  
COCKERELL, SYDNEY C. Correspondence with Harold Peirce, 1897-1931  
COLORADO Antiquarian Book Seminar Records  
CORAL, LENORE. 19th Century British Book Auction Catalog Records, 1979-2016   
CRAWFORD, JOHN MCALLISTER. Papers, 1964-1976  
CROSBY GAIGE AND WATCH HILL PRESS Collection  
CURRIE, KIT. Photograph Collection.  
DAMEX, AUGUSTE. Papers, 1932-1966  
DAVIS, WATERS S. Lists of French book sales catalogs, ca. 1927-1938  
DEPOL, JOHN. Papers, 1955-1998.  
DE VINNE, THEODORE LOW. Memorabilia collection, 1850-1914  
DE VINNE, THEODORE LOW. Photograph and memorabilia collection, 1897-1924  
DE VINNE, THEODORE LOW. Papers, ca. 1857-1931  
DIBDIN, THOMAS FROGNALL. Letters to William Pickering, 1826-1830  
DICKINSON, DONALD C. Collection of source material for Dictionary of American book collectors, ca. 1894-1984  
DIEHL, EDITH. Bookbinding: Its Background and Technique [manuscript], 1946  
DOUBLE CROWN CLUB (LONDON). Ephemera  
DUBANSKY, MINDELL. Papers regarding bookbinding and book conservation commissions, 1981-  
DUFF, EDWARD GORDON. Papers, 1893-1924  
ECCLES, MARY HYDE. Papers, 1903-2002  
EDELSTEIN, J.M. Postcard Collection  
ELKIND, ARNOLD AND MIMI WIEDER. Papers re their library  
ELLIS, FREDERICK STARTRIDGE. Papers re estate, ca. 1884  
ENGELHARD, JANE AND EMELIA Collection  
ESMERIAN, RAPHAËL. Papers, 1891-1981 (bulk 1944-1973)  
FEARING, DANIEL B. Collection of Chinese and Japanese imprints, ca. 1800-1900  
FERRARA, LIDIA GUIBERT History of the Book Jacket Image Collection  
FISKE, WILLIAM E. Records of collection of English color plate books, 1935-1973  
FLEMING, JOHN (FIRM : NEW YORK, N.Y.). Records, 1952-1987  
FRIDENBERG, ROBERT Catalog of Engraved Portraits of Franklin Manuscript  
FRIDENBERG, ROBERT. Letters and documents re American and English booksellers and printers, 1732-1884   
GILLISS, WALTER. Papers, ca. 1906-1925  
GIMBEL, CARAL Bookplate Collection  
GOLDEN, VINCENT L. Bookseller Database Research on Pre-1600 Books  
GOLDSCHMIDT, E. P. (FIRM : LONDON, ENGLAND). Financial records, 1919-1981  
GOLDSCHMIDT, E. P. Papers and Memorabilia  
GOLDSCHMIDT, LUCIEN (FIRM : NEW YORK, N.Y.). Records, 1930-1991  
GOLDSMITH, ALFRED F. Letters to Edward Naumburg, Jr. and associated items, 1930-1945  
GOODSPEEDS (FIRM : BOSTON, MASS.). Price lists for prints, ca. 1980-1989  
GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS Ephemera  
GOUDY, FREDERIC W. [See Melbert B. Cary: Collection of Goudyana]  
GOURARY, Paul Collection on Festival Books  
GOWANS, WILLIAM. Notes for bio-bibliographies of 19th century American literature, 1863-1868  
GRAFF, ROBERT. Book collection records  
GRAFF, ROBERT D. Collection of Roger Stoddard Material, 1985-2009  
GRAUER, BEN. Papers re the book arts, 1951-1977  
GRAUER, BEN. Interview with Harrison D. Horblit [Monitor radio program], 1958  
GROLIER CLUB. Beatrice Warde collection  
GROLIER CLUB. Postcard Collection, 1922-2008.  
GROLIER CLUB. Bookplate collection, ca. 1896-  
GROLIER CLUB Printing Ephemera Collection  
GROLIER CLUB Publisher's Bindings Collection  
GROLIER CLUB Records Collection-Level Overview  
GROLIER CLUB RG1 Series IA: Council Meeting Minutes  
GROLIER CLUB RG1 Series IB: Founding Documents  
GROLIER CLUB RG1 Series II: Records of the President  
GROLIER CLUB RG1 Series III: Records of the Librarian-Executive Director  
GROLIER CLUB RG1 Series V: Records of the Curator  
GROLIER CLUB RG1 Series VI: Records of the Secretary  
GROLIER CLUB RG2 Publications Committee Records  
GROLIER CLUB RG4 Series IA: Library Committee  
GROLIER CLUB RG4 Series IB: Records of the Librarian  
GROLIER CLUB RG4 Series IIA: Prints, Drawings, and Photographs Committee  
GROLIER CLUB RG4 Series IIB: Committee on Modern Fine Printing  
GROLIER CLUB RG4 Series IIC: Artistic Properties  
GROLIER CLUB RG5 Series II: House Committee Records  
GROLIER CLUB RG5 Series III: Visitor Logs  
GROLIER CLUB RG7 Series I: Special Functions Commitee Records  
GROLIER CLUB RG7 Series II: Bibliophile Trips  
GROLIER CLUB RG7 Series III: Nikirk Lecture Series  
GROLIER CLUB RG7 Series III: Grolier Club Lectures  
GROLIER CLUB RG7 Series III: Club Sponsored Local Events  
GROLIER CLUB RG7 Series IV: Annual Meeting Records  
GROLIER CLUB RG7 Series V: Centennial  
GROLIER CLUB RG8 Series II: Membership Files  
GROLIER CLUB RG8 Series III: August Hecksher Papers  
HADDAWAY, ARTHUR. Book collection records, ca. 1959-1980  
HAIGHT, ANNE LYON Collection of Printing Ephemera, 1897-1963  
HAIGHT, ANNE LYON, and SHERMAN P. HAIGHT. Papers.  
HALLECK, FITZ-GREENE. Letters to William Loring Andrews, 1865-1866  
HARDY, HENRI Papers, 1746-1946, bulk 1855-1946  
HARPER, LATHROP C., INC. Collection of Shop Catalogs  
HARRIS, Richard A. Collection of Grolier Club Ephemera  
HELFAND, William H. Bookplate Collection, bulk 1897-1993  
HELFAND, WILLIAM H. Quack Quack Quack Interview  
HOLDEN, EDWIN BABCOCK. Scrapbook of initial letters, ca. 1900  
HOWELL, ALFRED COREY. Papers re Frederic Warde, 1924-1954  
HROSWITHA CLUB (NEW YORK, N.Y.). Deborah Evetts Collection of Material Relating to the Hroswitha Club, 1944-1994  
HROSWITHA CLUB (NEW YORK, N.Y.). Records and publications, 1944-1999  
HUGO, E. HAROLD. Travel diaries, 1959-1976  
JACKSON, ROBERT H. AND DONNA J. Collection of First Book Catalogues of Rare Book Dealers, 1964-2010, bulk 1976-2005  
JAPAN PAPER Co. Pamphlets, Printed Ephemera, and Paper Samples  
JEFFERSON, THOMAS. LETTER TO M. FROULLE, 1795  
KARST, JOHN. Album of wood engravings  
KEBABIAN, JOHN S. Appraisal records, 1937-1960  
KELLY, JERRY Collection of Paper and Cloth Binding Samples  
KENT, HENRY WATSON Collection of L.E. Moreau de Saint-Méry  
KENT, HENRY WATSON Typescript  
KEYNES, GEOFFREY and EDWIN WOLF William Blake's Illuminated Books Typescript  
LABORATORY Press Ephemera  
LAPIDES, LINDA Antiquarian Book Fair Ephemera  
LEAB CATALOG AWARD ENTRIES. 1982-Present  
LEAB, DANIEL J. and Katharine Kyes Collection of Book Auction Ephemera  
LERNER, ABE. Papers, 1929-2002  
LIBRAIRIE DAMASCENE MORGAND (EDOUARD RAHIR ET CIE, SUCCESSEUR). Records, 1866-1922  
LILLY, JOSEPH Customer Account Book  
LOCKER-LAMPSON, FREDERICK. Album of drawings illustrating London Lyrics, ca. 1865-1891  
LOCKER-LAMPSON, FREDERICK. London Lyrics: album of reviews, 1868-1878  
LOCKER-LAMPSON, FREDERICK. London Lyrics: album of illustrations re extra-illustrated copy, 1883   
LOCKER-LAMPSON, FREDERICK. (CORRESPONDENT). Letters from Valentin A. Blacque and others, 1887-1890  
LUBRECHT, HARRY Papers  
[MADDEN, SIR FREDERIC]. Offprints presented to Sir Frederic Madden, 1777-1859  
MALKIN, SOL AND MARY ANN O’BRIAN MALKIN. Antiquarian Bookman/Malkin family papers, 1938-1996  
MARTIN, ROBERT W. Davenport Library catalog and records, ca. 1914-1961  
MCKAY, GEORGE LESLIE. Collection on the Typophiles, 1945-1976  
MCVICKAR, HARRY WHITNEY. Book and magazine illustration, ca. 1880-1900  
METLER, A.V. Correspondence relating to Antiquarian Bookman advertisement  
MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY. Type specimen books and associated material, ca. 1920-1938  
MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM Bookplate Collection  
MOORE, MARIANNE. Humility, concentration and gusto [typescript] and related material, 1949  
MORAN, LANSING. Correspondence and related materials on 20th century bookbinders, 1905-1980  
MOSHER, THOMAS BIRD. Books issued by Mosher of Portland, Maine, 1892-1931  
NICHOLS, George Livingston Checklist of Books Presented to the Grolier Club  
NICHOLS, JOHN BOWYER. Scrapbook of book values for English topographical works, ca. 1845  
NICHOLS, SPENCER VAN B. Bookplate collection, ca. 1700-1947  
NICOL, GEORGE (BOOKSELLER OF LONDON) (CORRESPONDENT). Letters from customers, 1789-1840  
NIKIRK, ROBERT Papers  
NORMAN, HASKELL F. Records re 100 Books Famous in Medicine  
NOWELL-SMITH, SIMON. Papers, 1900-2001  
OFFENBACHER, EMIL (FIRM : NEW YORK, N.Y.). Records, 1945-1990  
OLD BOOK TABLE (ORGANIZATION : NEW YORK, N.Y.). Records, 1931-  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Papers relating to the Bibliotheca Phillippica and the Middle Hill Press, 1300-1886 (bulk 1820-1872)  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham: Fragments of Aelfric's Grammar, translated by Phillipps, 1837  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Almanacs and diaries, 1803-1866  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Alphabetical list of English pedigrees, ca. 1848  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Architectural and topographical drawings, ca. 1800-1868  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Autograph account book, 1819-1870  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Curzon, Robert. Libraries of the Levant [manuscript], 1837  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Drawings and descriptions of parishes, churches and castles in Gloucestershire, England, ca. 1820  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Dugdale's Baronage, with additions by Phillipps, 1829  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Erpenius, Thomas. The Arabic Alphabet, translated by Phillipps, 1822-1823  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Family portraits, ca. 1850-1868  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Fragments of English manuscripts, ca. 1300-1800  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Hunter, Joseph. Remarks on the conduct of James Orchard Halliwell [autograph draft by Sir Thomas Phillipps], ca. after 1847  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Improved Numeration Table, ca. 1829  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Letter concerning some forgeries by Constantine Simonides, ca. 1859  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Letters and bills, ca. 1820-1870  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Maps, plans and bills relating to the Phillipps estates, 1795-1858  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Middle Hill House and other buildings at Broadway, Worcestershire [photographic views], ca. 1857-1860  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Manuscripts and documents relating the Phillipps' family, 1749-1870  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Manuscripts and documents relating to the Bibliotheca Phillippica, 1794-1886  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Miscellaneous portraits, documents and maps, 1681-1862  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Munby, A. N. L. Sir Thomas Phillipps: A Biographical Portrait [radio script], 1952  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Number of copies of Sir T. P.'s printed works, ca. 1860s  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Pedigrees of John Mellersh, Edward Heydon and the Comyn family, ca. 1870  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. St. George, Henry. Visitatio Heraldica Comitatus Wiltoniae, A.D. 1623: Transcription by Phillipps, ca. 1827  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR. Will [autograph manuscript], March 18, 1863  
PHILLIPPS, THOMAS, SIR Collection of Dr. Thompson's and Others Correspondence  
PIRIE, ROBERT. Correspondence re book and antiques collecting, 1956-2005  
POLAIN, M.-LOUIS. Papers, 1893-1933  
PRESCOTT, MARJORIE W. Book collection records, 1929-1965  
RADBILL, SAMUEL X. Collection of Sara Eugenia Blake Bookplates  
RARE BOOK SCHOOL/Book Arts Press Ephemera Collection  
ROGERS, BRUCE. [See BORSODI, VICTOR H. Bruce Rogers collection]  
ROSENTHAL, BERNARD. Photograph Collection  
ROSTENBERG & STERN (FIRM). Records [unprocessed]  
ROULAND, ORLANDO. Papers, 1905-1939  
ROWFANT CLUB (CLEVELAND, OHIO). Printed ephemera and associated items, 1901-1997  
SAKS, JOHN A. Papers re book and manuscript collection, 1936-1983  
SAMUELS LASNER, MARK. Book collection records  
SAUVAGE, SYLVAIN. Illustrations and wood engravings for La Rôtisserie de la Reine Pédauque, 1935  
SAWYER, CHARLES J. BOOKSELLER Records, 1906-1990  
SCHAB, WILLIAM H. (FIRM : NEW YORK, N.Y.) Records, 1906-2018  
SCRIBNER'S RARE BOOK DEPARTMENT. Records, 1935-1972  
SCHIMMEL, Stuart B. Personal Bookplate Collection. 1960-ca. 1970.  
SILVER, ROLLO G. Files on American printers and publishers for The Book in America, ca. 1950  
SIMONIDES, CONSTANTINE. Papers re Codex Sinaiticus, ca. 1865-1863  
SMITH, SIDNEY LAWTON. Letters and engravings re work commissioned by William Loring Andrews, 1901-1917  
SOCIETY OF ICONOPHILES. Records, ca. 1895-1930  
SPERLING, PHILIP. Notebooks, 1947-1996  
SPIRAL PRESS. [See Ida Webster collection]  
ST. JOHNS, ADELA ROGERS. Papers re novel Tell No Man, 1966  
STEELE, GEOFFREY (FIRM : LUMBERVILLE, PENN.). Records, ca. 1940-1989  
STEPHENSON, WALTER T. Papers re Demetrius Canevarius, ca. 1890-1898  
STEWART KIDD (FIRM: CINCINNATI, OHIO) Scrapbooks and photo albuma, ca. 1926-1930.  
STOWAWAYS (ORGANIZATION : NEW YORK, N.Y.). Records, 1907-1936  
STREETER, FRANK S. Papers, bulk 1950-2006.  
SWANN, ARTHUR. Book auction catalogs, 1898-1933  
SWANN, ARTHUR. Papers and correspondence, 1900-1956  
SYKES, MARK MASTERMAN. Papers, ca. 1813-1825  
SZLADITS, LOLA Collection  
TARLAU, JILL ORIANE. Video archive on bookbinding  
TAYLOR, ROBERT H. Audio Collection  
TICHENOR, IRENE. De Vinne Research Papers, 2002-2005  
TURNBULL, EDWARD. Bibliography of German incunabula from unidentified collection [typescript], 1900-1924  
TWYSDEN, SIR ROGER (COLLECTOR). Catalogue of his library at Royden Hall in the 17th century, ca. 1816  
VANDER POEL, HALSTED B. PAPERS, 1937-1986  
VANISHING PRESS. Publications, 1940-1983  
VOLLBEHR, OTTO H. F. Purchase of his collection of incunabula by Library of Congress, 1930  
VOYNICH, WILFRED M. (FIRM : NEW YORK, N.Y.) AND ETHEL LILLIAN VOYNICH. Papers, 1916-1948  
WARDE, BEATRICE. [See Grolier Club, Beatrice Warde collection]  
WARDE, FREDERIC. Papers, 1915-1938 [See also Paul Bennett and Alfred C. Howell collections]  
WEBSTER, IDA. Collection of Spiral Press imprints and holiday greetings, ca. 1926-1971  
WELLS, Gabriel Ephemera Collection, 1925-1937  
WEIL, ERNST. Papers, 1902-1966  
WHITE, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS. Card catalog of his library, 1926  
WILSON, JOHN. Collection of curious papers, ca. 1835  
WINDLE, JOHN. Papers re Thomas Frognall Dibdin, 1776-1847: a Bibliography, 1988-1999  
WINDLE, JOHN. Papers re 2nd ed. of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, 1759-1797: a Bibliography, 1988-1999  
WINSOR, JUSTIN. Drafts of various bibliographical works, ca. 1850-1870  
WORMSER, RICHARD S. COLLECTION OF PRINTED EPHEMERA, CA. 1915-1973  
WREDEN, William P. Collection, 1942-1990.  
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