Today we are located on the 19 th floor of the historic sun oil building on walnut street. Both the first and this second american catholic bible are rare. Rare book department of the free library of philadelphia, philadelphia, pennsylvania. Free library of philadelphia, rare book department and. The rare book department features one of the worlds most renowned charles dickens collections, with first editions, personal letters, and dickens stuffed pet. Its rare book department, among the largest in american public. A selection of rare books related to the city of philadelphia from the philadelphia print shop. Website for the free library of philadelphia, its programs, resources, and services.
Elkins, this comprehensive collection consists of first and later editions of goldsmiths works, autograph letters, and manuscripts. You can find more information on free library of philadelphia. Rare book department will display its first folio for public viewing for a. One of the largest public library systems in the world, flp has established its internet presence to enhance and extend its services to the citizens of philadelphia. Available now the free library of philadelphia overdrive. Celebrating its 18th season, one book, one philadelphia is a signature program of the free library that promotes literacy, library usage, and civic dialogue by encouraging the entire greater philadelphia area to come together through reading and discussing a single book. Free library of philadelphia while our programs are currently on hold including the finale of the 2020 one book, one philadelphia season enjoy these online learning resources from the one book team. Rare book department of the free library of philadelphia.
It is the thlargest public library system in the united states. Thus, philadelphia s library company was also the first library of congress too. The unique materials of the rare book and special collections division of the library of congress, now totaling over 800,000 items, include books, broadsides, pamphlets, theater playbills, prints, posters, photographs, and medieval and renaissance manuscripts. Founded in 1731 by benjamin franklin as a library, the library company of philadelphia has accumulated one of. The rare book department is located on the third floor of parkway central. Since our founding in 1992, first book has distributed more than 175 million books. Philadelphia, pa 19103 the rare book department offers free access to exhibitions of historically important books, manuscripts, and works of art from 3,000 bce to today. Wilson, a publicity man and theatrical manager for the shubert theatres in philadelphia.
Dont miss the 11 oclock tour of the rare book room week days. First folio housed in the free library of philadelphias rare book. Finding more than books at the free library of philadelphia our blogs are written by our actual, real tour guides. Rare books on philadelphia the philadelphia print shop. Browse subjects the free library of philadelphia overdrive. The free library of philadelphia welcomes 6 million visitors to our 54. New audiobook additions the free library of philadelphia. Friends of the free library of philadelphia, philadelphia, pa.
Friends of the free library of philadelphia home facebook. See the available now collection from the free library of philadelphia. This post is brought to you by our guide and historybuff dick. First book is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need. Resources chronicle theatre locally, with playbills dating back to 1803. Widener presented the library with its first rare collection, 500 incunabula. Considering that philadelphia was home to the nations first library, innovation comes naturally to the citys library system. The rare book departments holdings do not circulate. Carson collection on the growth and development of the common law followed in 1929. The brothers owned the rosenbach company which became the preeminent dealer of rare books, manuscripts and decorative arts during the first half of the 20th century. Rumballpetre says of the 1790 edition that as of the year 1954 only 35 copies this rare bible have been traced as extant in public and private.
Skipping forward more than 200 years, it shouldnt come as a surprise that the free library of philadelphia offers a robust selection of downloadable e books. Bauman rare books opened its first offices in philadelphia in 1982. Pennsylvania residents must pay the 8% sales tax on the total order books plus shipping. The rosenbach the rosenbach is a rare book library and museum that has been formally affiliated with the free library since 20. The library company of philadelphia lcp is a nonprofit organization based in philadelphia. For mailingshipping, please use this slightly variant address.
The free library of philadelphia was founded in 1891 as the citys first public library. Welcome to the free library of philadelphia s digital collection of medieval and renaissance manuscripts. Rare book and special collections reading room library of. Altogether this is a fascinating overview of northwest philadelphia in the first. Free library of philadelphia, rare book department and theatre collection a research collection of materials covering theatre and other popular entertainments, especially in philadelphia, that is housed within the rare book department at the parkway central library. Among its collections are illuminated medieval manuscripts and cuttings. Our policies and procedures have been established to ensure that these irreplaceable materials will continue to be available for use by future generations.
A fresh and easy way to borrow and read from your library. A very kind security guard noticed my expression of awe as i explored the lib. The free library of philadelphia it was recently discovered that a shakespeare first folio in the free library of philadelphias rare book department likely belonged to the english poet john. Wilson gave the wealth of material he had amassed to the library in 1951, and this formed the nucleus of the present collection. Free library of philadelphia building a community devoted to lifelong learning by advancing functional, technological, career, financial, cultural, and civic literacy. Free library of philadelphia all you need to know before. Ranging in age and scope from cuneiform tablets the first. Free, daily tours lead visitors to the rare book department to view materials such as a printed copy of the first edition of tamerlane, one of the first poems. The free library of philadelphia was founded in 1891 as the citys first public library system. The free library of philadelphia offers over 28,000 engaging and enlightening programs for all ages each year. Rare first edition, special limited large paper issue of shackletons fascinating account of the british antarctic expedition of 19071909, number 274 of only 300 copies printed. Among the largest in american public libraries, the rare book department exists to serve the people of philadelphia, as well.
See search results in the the free library of philadelphia digital collection. In 1956, the collection of reading theatre manager, paul e. Eventbrite wawa welcome america presents free library of philadelphia rare book department free museum day saturday, june 29, 2019 at rare book department, philadelphia, pa. Rare book department at parkway central library a fullyinteractive exhibition for all ages, which connects the science of the senses with the mind and the literary experience. Search results the free library of philadelphia overdrive. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed. Charles dickens rare books and first editions at bauman. See the new ebook additions collection from the free library of philadelphia.
See the new audiobook additions collection from the free library of philadelphia. New ebook additions the free library of philadelphia. The free library of philadelphia is the public library system that serves philadelphia, pennsylvania. While many programs scheduled through the end of april are cancelled or postponed, others will proceed virtually. Placesphiladelphia, pennsylvaniarare book department of the free library of philadelphia. The library company of philadelphia maintains high cataloging standards, allowing readers multiple avenues through which they may access the collection. Free library of philadelphia to display shakespeare first. My sister and i had to stop at the free library for the history and all of the books. The work of two scholars has led to the astounding discovery that a shakespeare first folio housed in the free library of philadelphias rare book department.
Free library of philadelphia 2020 all you need to know. The blind childs first book due to the ongoing impact of covid19, all free library locations will remain closed to the public until safety concerns have subsided. One of the largest public library systems in the world, flp has established its internet presence to enhance and extend its services to the citizens of philadelphia, the delaware valley, and beyond. Rosenbach in particular was seminal in the rare book world, helping to build libraries such as the widener library at harvard. The rare book department, among the largest in american public libraries, maintains collections of. Friends of the free library of philadelphia is an independent organization of community members supporting and advocating. The rare book department of the free library of philadelphia. Free library of philadelphia to display shakespeare first folio in rare.
The library companys online catalog, wolfpac, allows researchers to search nearly 100% of the library companys rare books. In 1789, needing more space and desirous of a building of their own, the library company bought a parcel of land near the corner of philadelphia. Browse all subjects in the the free library of philadelphia digital collection. Rosenbach collection of early american childrens books. Monday through saturday, with tours of the general. It was recently discovered that a shakespeare first folio in the free library of philadelphias rare book department likely belonged to the english. Free library of philadelphia homepage city of philadelphia. Free library of philadelphia rare book department free. Widener presented the free library with its first rare book collection, 500 incunabula books printed. Ranging in age and scope from cuneiform tablets the first writing of mankind, c. First editions of all five of charles dickens christmas books, illustrated with 63 engravings, four in color, by leech, maclise, stanfield, doyle and landseer, all books. Located near parkway central, it maintains worldclass collections of rare books and manuscripts.
Among its collections are thousands of illuminated medieval manuscripts and cuttings. The history of the book rare book department free library. The blind childs first book free library of philadelphia. Theatre collections rare book department free library. Free library to display rare shakespeare first folio now believed. Our manuscript collection includes most of the kinds of books used between and 1500 a. The collections of the free library of philadelphias rare book department are vast and diverse. The free library encourages the use of its collections within the limits set by their rarity and fragility.
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