Happy New Year everyone! Let's all resolve to post more often in 2011!

Fitzgerald Collection

Here's an article which may be of interest:

"A priceless library of 400 books once owned by a friend of Charles Dickens opens to the public for the first time."

Of particular interest to me is the info on the infamous Jarndyce vs Jarndyce case in my favorite Dickens' novel, Bleak House.

http://cdnedge.bbc.co.uk/local/kent/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9250000/9250769.stm

Christmas and Holiday Gifts

This season is the best for books and booklovers. I always love to give and get books for presents. I really can't think of ever being excited about getting a new download to a kindle, Ipad, or notebook- can you? Do you have a favorite holiday book or book present that you received. Do you have a favorite book story or quote from someone who got a great book for Christmas.

One of my favorite Christmas books is the 1947 Golden Christmas book. It was actually given to my oldest sister as a gift - but my Dad had a family tradition that on Thanksgiving night he would get the book out and he would read a story every night up to Christmas Eve. When I had my daughter Angelina in 1982 I wanted to get a copy of this book and continue the tradition. I think this was my first book that I sought out as a book collector- I got an excellent copy. There is a tissue paper pop-up Christmas tree in the front and as you can imagine this get worn very easily. I have since found other copies of this book for my brothers and sisters. The original family copy is still with my oldest sister, Carolyn. I wanted to share this story and post because I am curious of your stories and also if there are any other lovers of this book in the docent group. Happy Holidays Chris

Recommending two local area exhibits

I did check out the Wharton Esherick and the birth of the American Modern at University of Pennsylvania. The exhibit at the Van Pelt Library is fascinating and really shows his various art interests and exposure and interests in new ideas in politics, philosophy and literature. The gallery space in the Kroiz Gallery of the Architectural Archives-( entrance is on 34th Street) has some beautiful pieces of furniture and photos of Bok house. Highly recommend that you check out both. Both are open until February 13th but you will want to be sure exhibits are opened during winter break /holiday times. www.library.upenn.edu/exhibits/esherick.html

I also went to Bryn Mawr College's 125 Years of Collections. The exhibit is in the Rare Book room of Canaday Library. This exhibit is great also and a docent trip could be organized and we could get a group tour. I picked up a catalog and will leave in the docent library the next time I'm in the Delancey Street area. This exhibit will be on display until May 28, 2011. They will turnover/replace some items too- so if you go now- you will see a new exhibit in spring 2011

New Robert Burns House Museum Opens

The Scottish poet Robert Burns, a favorite among the collections and personalities associated with the Rosenbach has a new house museum at his birthplace in Ayrshire.

Opened by the National Trust, the new museum has a host of attractions you can read about here.

For a state-side Burns fix, the Rosenbach has a wonderful collection, including hand-written manuscripts-drafts of poems, a powder horn that belonged to the poet from 1796 (which is quite often on display in the library), and at least two miniature portraits of the poet exist among the miniature collection.
My favorite Burns item at the Rosenbach is the engraving of Burns that belonged to Marianne Moore!