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| Vol. 18, No. 2 | Sept. 10, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 2 | Sept. 10, 1998 |
Some of the most rare and important books in the Morris Library are featured in "Four Decades of Library Support: An Exhibition in Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the University of Delaware Library Associates," currently on view in the library's Special Collections Exhibition Gallery. The exhibition continues through Dec. 16.
The exhibit focuses on books acquired with the financial support of the University of Delaware Library Associates, an independent library support organization.
Exhibition curators are Timothy Murray and Iris R. Snyder, special collections.
"The work of the University of Delaware Library Associates has had a profound impact on the growth of all areas of the UD library over the past four decades. The organization's most enduring contribution has been the support it has provided for the Library Special Collections Department," a library spokesperson said.
From the founding of the organization, the associates identified the development of the library's research collections as its highest priority. In particular, the associates sought to enrich the library's research holdings in the humanities, notably English and American literature, music, art, history, languages and literature and economics.
The exhibition is divided into sections focusing on major collecting areas, including literature, science and technology, horticulture, history, the arts, history of books and printing and Delawareana.
Among the important literary works in the exhibition are the second folio edition of Shakespeare's plays; a first edition of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein; and a first edition of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. Scientific works include some of the most important illustrated works on engineering produced during the Renaissance, as well as horticultural works including 18th-century books on landscape architecture.
The history section highlights the collection's strength in the early history of the United States, with the first published edition of the Federalist Papers and the original published report of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The history of books and printing collection is highlighted by an example of incunabula, a book produced shortly after the invention of the printing press; the Kelmscott Chaucer, produced by William Morris, considered to be the finest example of 19th-century fine press printing; and works by the Bird & Bull Press, a modern fine press.
Art and architecture are represented by a range of titles.
Examples from the library's comprehensive collection on the history and culture of Delaware also are included in the exhibition. Two examples are Kort beskrifning om provincien Nya Swerige uit America (1702), the first detailed account of the colony at New Sweden, and the only known copy of a broadside announcing Delaware's first paper mill, which was established along the Brandywine Creek in 1787 by Joshua Gilpin and Co.
"In addition to celebrating 40 years of dedication and support by the University of Delaware Library Associates, this exhibition provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate the extraordinary range of the University of Delaware Library's rare book collections," observed Susan Brynteson, director of libraries.
An illustrated catalog of the exhibition is available and an Internet version of the exhibition, containing photographs and text from the exhibit, also is available on the Special Collections website: <www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/exhibits/udla>.
The exhibition can be viewed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and until 8 p.m., Tuesdays.
A reception, open to the public by reservation, will be held at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Class of 1941 Lecture Room. To request an invitation, send an e-mail message to <UDLA@mvs.udel.edu> or call 831-2231.
