| Description |
90.5 linear feet (113 boxes). |
|
Eight series: Correspondence, Writings and Research Files, Bibliographical Notes, Booksellers, New York Public Library/Lenox Library, Personal/Family Papers, Photographs, and Miscellaneous. |
| Form |
Ainsworth Rand Spofford materials available on microfilm; New York Public Library. |
| Summary |
Collection consists of materials reflecting Eames's interests and scholarly achievements in the fields of bibliography and librarianship. Correspondence, 1866-1937, includes both business and personal correspondence, mostly incoming, with librarians, booksellers and bibliographers regarding bibliographic questions, sales information, exchange of photostats, and comparisons of editions. Writings and research files include manuscripts of Eames's work, research notes, correspondence, and printed matter relating to subject areas and to works by Eames. Bibliographic notes contain cut and pasted titles, typed citations, handwritten notes, correspondence and clippings. Booksellers series, ca. 1879-1937, reflects Eames's long and varied involvement in the book trade with materials such as correspondence, bills, sales catalogs, booklists, and publication notices. New York Public Library/Lenox Library papers, ca. 1883-1935, include lists of holdings (rare books, maps, etc.) prepared by Eames, reports on Library activities by Eames, Library printed matter, clippings, and miscellaneous papers. Personal/family papers, 1850-1937, contain diaries, expense books, legal and estate papers, papers relating to Eames's private library, biographical and genealogical information, family correspondence, and memorabilia. Photographs, ca. 1870s-1930s, document Eames's camping trips in the Adirondacks and travels in Canada in addition to some studio portraits of Eames and others. |
|
Miscellaneous papers include photostats, printed matter, proofs, galleys, and clippings. |
| Restricted Access |
Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated. |
| Biography |
Wilberforce Eames (1855-1937) was a bibliographer, bibliophile and librarian who began his career in the book trade. In 1885 he went to work at the Lenox Library in New York City and was named Lenox Librarian in 1893. He held this position until 1911 when the New York Public Library building opened and he was appointed Chief of the American History Division. In 1916 he became Bibliographer of the Library, a position he held until his death. His interests embraced many subjects including American history, Oriental history, African and Native American languages, cartography, cuneiform tablets, and the history of printing. His scholarship in these areas resulted in significant acquisitions for the Library and for his private collection which he bequeathed to the Library. Among Eames's most important contributions was the compilation of bibliographies and bibliographic studies, especially his work on Sabin's Dictionary of Books Relating to America. |
| Finding Aids |
Collection guide available in repository and on internet. |
| Subject |
Eames, Wilberforce, 1855-1937.
|
|
Bibliography.
|
|
Early printed books.
|
|
Printing -- History.
|
|
Libraries -- Special collections.
|
|
Collection development (Libraries)
|
|
Book collecting.
|
|
Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.)
|
|
Québec (Province) -- Description and travel.
|
| Genre/Form |
Diaries.
|
|
Photoprints.
|
|
Albums.
|
|
Scrapbooks.
|
|
Diplomas.
|
|
Catalogs.
|
| Occupation |
Librarians. |
|
Bibliographers. |
|
Book collectors. |
| Added Author |
Ballou, Howard.
|
|
Bartlett, John R. (John Russell), 1843-
|
|
Brown, John Nicholas, 1900-
|
|
Brigham, Clarence S.
|
|
Cole, George Watson, 1850-1939.
|
|
Engelke, A.H.
|
|
Ford, Paul Leicester, 1865-1902.
|
|
Ford, Worthington Chauncey, 1858-1941.
|
|
Gannett, M.J.
|
|
Green, Samuel A. (Samuel Abbott), 1838-1918.
|
|
Hildeburn, Charles Swift Riché, 1855-1901.
|
|
Lehmos.
|
|
Homes, Henry A. (Henry Augustus), 1812-1887.
|
|
Hurst, J. F. (John Fletcher), 1834-1903.
|
|
Kalbefleisch, Charles H.
|
|
Karpinski, Louis Charles, 1878-1956.
|
|
Knowles, Arthur J.
|
|
Lydenberg, Harry Miller, 1874-1960.
|
|
Paltsits, Victor Hugo, 1867-1952.
|
|
Pierce, John.
|
|
Putnam, Herbert, 1861-1955.
|
|
Pilling, James Constantine, 1846-1895.
|
|
Sabin, Joseph F.
|
|
Shea, John Gilmary, 1824-1892.
|
|
Spofford, Ainsworth Rand, 1825-1908.
|
|
Spofford, Ernest.
|
|
Wagner, Henry Raup, 1862-1957.
|
|
Winship, George Parker, 1871-1952.
|
|
Winsor, Justin, 1831-1897.
|
|
Wroth, Lawrence C. (Lawrence Counselman), 1884-1970.
|
|
Bibliographical Society of America.
|
|
New York Public Library.
|
|
Lenox Library.
|
|
New York Library Club.
|
| LCCN |
ms 70000320 |
| Standard no. |
*ZZ-9008 |
| Call No. |
MssCol 878
|
| Research Call Number |
MssCol 878
|
|
