The following collections have numerous materials cataloged in the “x” collection, along with a manuscript collection focusing on the collector; call numbers for individual titles can be found on InfoHawk.
Bernice E. Leary Children’s Books
The books in this collection range in date from the late 18th to the mid 20th Century and constitute a good working collection of examples of English and American children’s literature with additional examples of children’s literature from other countries. As an educator, Bernice Leary worked as a curriculum consultant in various countries including Germany, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It would be from these regions that many examples of early reading material for young readers would be collected by Leary. Of note, books from the Philippines Bernice Leary had contributed to can be found, with many including her annotations and English translations.
Of special interest from the collection are the numerous books containing woodcut illustrations, many hand colored; early 19th Century chapbooks now of some rarity; early examples of books with movable parts; books illustrated by such notable illustrators as John Bewick, Kate Greenaway, and Randolph Caldecott; and a collection of modern books which have won the Newbery and Caldecott awards for excellence as stories or for their illustrations. More than a dozen children’s magazines are represented in the collection. More information regarding Leary can be found in the Bernice Leary Papers (IWA0030).
James M. and Christine Wallace Children’s Books
With an impressive collection of early children’s literature, James M. and Christine K. Wallace sought to collect children’s reading materials that had left some mark on history. This collection includes items such as a privately printed copy of of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, all A.A. Milne’s works, including a first edition of Winnie the Pooh, the thumb Bible of John Taylor, as well as beautiful examples of hornbooks. In addition to the fine examples of children’s reading materials, the Wallace collection includes various reference books covering the history of this sect of literature, providing a thorough context for the development of the genre. Along their collecting journey, the Wallaces made a few friends, such as the children’s book author and illustrator Marguerite de Angeli. The relationship between the Wallace family and de Angeli is found through her books, with many including inscriptions and drawings dedicated to the Wallace children. More information regarding the relationship between the Wallaces and de Angeli can be found in the James M. Wallace Papers (MsC0483).
The G. Robert Carlsen Adolescent Literature Collection
A revered educator, G. Robert Carlsen dedicated most of his professional career to fostering a love of reading in adolescents. Much of the research Carlsen devoted to this mission can be found in his publication Books and the Teenage Reader, a practical guide to engaging youth to read for pleasure. Spanning decades, the G. Robert Carlsen collection of adolescent literature has been carefully curated, with Carlsen personally reviewing all items in the collection, keeping materials which were fresh in content, social worth, and evocatively utilized the power of language. Books found in this collection are fine examples of adolescent literature from the earliest examples of the genre in the 1910s to a later prime for YA literature of the 1960s and 70s. Personal notes and evaluations regarding many of the items found in the collection can be seen in the G. Robert Carlsen Papers (RG99.0040).
Updated July 2024 by Kaylee Swinford