Guide to the J.M. Edelstein Postcard Collection, circa 1900-1996

Title:
J.M. Edelstein Postcard Collection, circa 1900-1996

OCLC/RLIN No. (Unique ID):
NYGG07-A4

Dates:
circa 1900-1996

Extent:
5 boxes, 5 linear feet; circa 2,890 postcards, 16 x 11 cm and smaller

Abstract:
J.M. Edelstein’s postcard collection of American and European libraries and bookstores.

Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research use. Copyright restrictions may apply; please contact repository for requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce the materials.

Preferred Citation:
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], J.M. Edelstein Postcard Collection, The Grolier Club of New York.

About the Finding Aid:
This finding aid was prepared by Allison Hughes in Microsoft Word at the Grolier Club, August 2017.

Provenance:
Collection compiled by Jerome Melvin Edelstein; donated to the Grolier Club in Nov. 2005 by member Elmar W. Seibel, who was executor of the Edelstein estate.

Access Points:
Names
Edelstein, J.M. (Jerome Melvin), 1924-1996.

Subjects
Libraries.
Bookstores.

Genres
Postcards.

Biographical/Historical Note:
Jerome Melvin "J. M." Edelstein, was a bibliographer and librarian. Born in Baltimore, he was a son of Russian and Polish immigrants. Edelstein graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University and received a master's degree in library science from the University of Michigan. He studied at the University of Florence in Italy under a Fulbright Fellowship and sponsorship of the Italian government. He was the librarian for UCLA, chief librarian for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., associate director of the Getty Center for the Arts and Humanities, and before his death bibliographer in residence of the John Carter Brown Library. In 1963 Edelstein became a member of the Grolier Club. He died in Providence, R.I. on June 12, 1996.

Scope and Content Note:
Approximately 2,540 postcards depicting American libraries; approximately 130 postcards depicting American bookstores; approximately 310 postcards depicting European libraries; approximately 57 postcards depicting European bookstores. Note that an item-level index to the collection is available in Box 1.

Related Materials Note:
Ars Libri/J.M. Edelstein American Small Press Ephemera Collection, Grolier Club
J.M. Edelstein Collection, Emory University Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Library
J.M. Edelstein Correspondence Collection, 1964-1972, UCLA Special Collections Library

Arrangement Note:
Arranged in the following series:
I. American Libraries; arranged alphabetically state and city or town
II. American Bookstores; arranged alphabetically by state and city or town
III. European Libraries; arranged alphabetically by country
IV. European Bookstores; arranged alphabetically by country