The Interlibrary Loan Department at the Boston Public Library serves as headquarters for interlibrary loan activity in the Boston Regional Library System. The Department receives requests from the six regional libraries in Massachusetts. These libraries send requests on behalf of their member libraries. These libraries send in requests for books and journal articles. They also can send reference and subject requests. The staff of the Interlibrary Loan Department searches for these requests in...
Topic: BPL Interlibrary Loan
Anti-Slavery collection (approximately 40,000 pieces). In the late 1890's, the family of William Lloyd Garrison, along with others closely involved in the anti-slavery movement, presented the library with a major gathering of correspondence, documents, and other original material relating to the abolitionist cause from 1832 until after the Civil War. The major holdings consist of the papers of William Lloyd Garrison, Maria Weston Chapman and Deborah Weston, Lydia Maria Child, Amos Augustus...
Topics: Anti Slavery, William Lloyd Garrison, Abolition
The Thomas Pennant Barton Collection is acknowledged as one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in a public institution focusing on the writings of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. The collection was the first in the United States to include the first four folios of the collected works of William Shakespeare, as well as some 45 early quarto editions of individual plays, many published during Shakespeare’s lifetime. As the preeminent Shakespeare collection from...
Topics: shakespeare, Thomas Pennant Barton, Boston Public Library
10,797
11K
1917
1917
by
O'Neill-Lane, Timothy
texts
eye 10,797
favorite 1
comment 0
"List of authorities quoted": p. [xiii]-xiv
Topics: English language -- Irish, Irish language -- English
The BPL’s incunabula collection embodies the varied output of the 15th-century European printing press. As of February, 2020, the collection is comprised of 583 physical items printed during the 15th century, the majority of which are books (issued either individually or as parts of multi-volume sets). The collection also contains a small number of single-sheet publications, blockbooks, and fragments of books that merit individual cataloging. In total, there are 555 discrete 15th-century...
The Houghton Mifflin Company Trade Book Archival Collection is comprised of Trade Division materials that were originally kept in the Park Street building, which the company occupied from 1880 to 1994, before being donated to the Boston Public Library. The company’s editors used this collection as their working library. The collection includes adult and juvenile titles as well as reference materials, audio, and kits from Houghton Mifflin, Clarion, and other Houghton Mifflin Harcourt imprints.
The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library cares for more than a quarter million cartographic and geographic objects, ranging from the fifteenth century to the present, with a global scope and a focus on Boston and New England. Created in 2004 as a private-public partnership between the philanthropist Norman B. Leventhal and the Boston Public Library, the LMEC is located in the McKim Building at the BPL ’ s Central Library in Copley Square. The LMEC features a...
Comprised chiefly of individual editions of English stage plays issued between 1594 and 1799, the Boston Public Library's collection of early English playbooks is extensive and diverse. Numbering well over 1,500 items, the collection also includes masques, pageants, and other dramatic entertainments. Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by the Associates of the Boston Public...
Material for this collection has been contributed by the Boston Public Library.
The Ticknor Library of Spanish and Portuguese literature is a 10,000-volume collection that covers many aspects of Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American literature and history, including books on art, science, law, and theology. As a collection, the Ticknor Collection is remarkable for its completeness in all that pertains to Spanish literature and belles lettres. Many of these volumes are first editions and handwritten manuscripts that are exceedingly rare. The materials are primarily in...
This collection provides access to materials published by the Boston Public Library, critical administrative records of the library, and collection documentation, including printed finding aids, card catalogs, procedural guidelines, etc.
The Boston Public Library has an extensive collection of original manuscripts from the American Revolutionary War era. The letters and documents were drafted by John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, James Otis, Joseph Warren, George Washington and other important Revolutionary War figures. The materials are mostly of American origin, but also include British, European, and West Indian sources. Some of the topics covered include the war’s political origins, the unfolding of military and...
23,132
23K
-
-
by
United States. Adjutant General
texts
eye 23,132
favorite 1
comment 0
This register is also issued, later, in the Congressional Documents series, kept in the Special Libraries, wherin particular volumes can be found by means of the indexes and checklist kept in the Statistical Department. One copy of the latest issue is kept in the Information Office
Topic: United States. Army and Navy
Source: bplgovdocs
Defoe & Defoeana The William P. Trent Collection of Defoe and Defoeana is one of the most comprehensive collections of Daniel Defoe and his contemporaries. In addition to writing some of the first English novels, Defoe was a prolific political pamphleteer and is considered by many to be a founder of modern journalism. The nucleus of this 30,000-volume collection is a set of first editions of Defoe’s works, bound in 77 volumes and formerly owned by Henry Labouchère. There are hundreds of...
Covering the years 1780 through 1821, this collection of Boston tax records is organized by year and ward. Beginning in 1802, the records for each year are generally divided into three main categories: taking books, tax books, and transfer books. Taking books (referred to as “valuation books” beginning in 1818) follow the order of the tax assessors' progress through each ward, street-by-street, and record names of individual residents or businesses, assessed values of realty and personalty,...
20,793
21K
1908
1908
by
Nesfield, John Collinson
texts
eye 20,793
favorite 23
comment 0
Includes index
Topic: English language
The Benton Collection of Editions of the Book of Common Prayer was bequeathed by Josiah H. Benton in 1919. Benton was a trustee of the Boston Public Library from 1894 until his death on February 6, 1917, and served for many years as President of the Trustees of the Library. He bestowed much of his fortune to purchase books of “permanent value and authority, desirable for scholarly research and use,” and an equal amount of money for additions and improvement to the Library building. In...
11,305
11K
1658
1658
by
Porta, Giambattista della, approximately 1535-1615; Gaywood, Richard, active 1650-1680, engraver; Young, Thomas, active 1658, publisher; Speed, Samuel, -1681, publisher
texts
eye 11,305
favorite 133
comment 0
Two states are noted. State 1 has pages misnumbered as follows: p. 113 misnumbered 120; p. 120 misnumbered 113; p. 129 misnumbered 131; p. 385-392 misnumbered 381-388. In state 2, the first 2 errors have been corrected
Topics: Science, Industrial arts, Magnetism, Magic tricks, Alchemy
8,082
8.1K
1909
1909
by
Fuller, Eva Greene
texts
eye 8,082
favorite 18
comment 0
15,845
16K
1923
1923
by
Johnson, Henry Lewis
texts
eye 15,845
favorite 221
comment 2
''Book reference list'':p. [192-193]
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 2 reviews )
Topics: Printing, Book ornamentation, Decoration and ornament
2,170
2.2K
1895
1895
by
Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology
texts
eye 2,170
favorite 1
comment 0
Vols. 16-48 include accompanying papers
Topics: Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology, Ethnology, Indians
Source: bplgovdocs
2,780
2.8K
1913
1913
by
Wright, William Henry, b. 1843; Ketchum, Gertrude Wright
texts
eye 2,780
favorite 2
comment 0
Index: p. 227-235
Topic: Wright family
The Philip Hale scrapbooks contain letters and programs, along with clippings with reviews and criticisms written by Hale and others, all compiled by Hale. There are 60 volumes organized by year, as well as two separate index volumes.
[4] p., 130 leaves of plates : 37 cm
Topics: Monograms, Initials
This collection contains scans of the manuscript main entry catalog for the Boston Public Library Rare Books & Manuscripts Department. The main entry catalog is the best place to search for manuscripts. It contains approximately 130,000 cards, filed in alphabetical order by author name. Where no author is known, cards are filed alphabetically by title. Manuscripts related to certain special subjects, like “abolitionism,” or “music” are filed under author's name, as well as subject....
4,366
4.4K
1915
1915
by
Jacobson & Company
texts
eye 4,366
favorite 32
comment 0
On cover: Architectural and decorative ornaments
Topics: Plaster, Decoration and ornament, Architectural
Source: BPL_scan_for_me
The Boston Public Library holds a significant collection of books from the earliest years of English printing, including works from the presses of William Caxton, Richard Pynson, Wynkyn De Worde, and others.
10,029
10K
1922
1922
by
Joyce, James, 1882-1941; Rodker, John, 1894-1955, publisher; Darantière, Maurice, printer; Egoist Press, publisher
texts
eye 10,029
favorite 38
comment 0
"This edition is limited to 2000 copies on handmade paper numbered from 1 to 2000"--Prelim. p. [9]
Topics: City and town life, Married people, Jewish men, Artists
Bound in gold cloth ; stamped in gold and brown ; decorated endpapers
14,663
15K
1861
1861
by
Jacobs, Harriet A. (Harriet Ann), 1813-1897; Child, Mrs. (Lydia Maria), 1802-1880, ed
texts
eye 14,663
favorite 25
comment 0
Preface signed: Linda Brent
10,445
10K
1970
1970
by
United States. Congress. House. Office of the Clerk
texts
eye 10,445
favorite 0
comment 0
Also issued to depository libraries as part of the United States Congressional serial set, Supt. of Docs. class no. Y 1.1/2:; paper version for July-Sept. 1989 not issued under Supt. of Docs. class no. Y 1.1/7:
Topics: United States. Congress. House, United States. Congress. House
Source: bplgovdocs
15,285
15K
1859
1859
by
Frazer, Augustus Simon, Sir, 1776-1835; Sabine, Edward, Sir, 1788-1883, ed
texts
eye 15,285
favorite 1
comment 0
OCLC number: ocm04732734
Topics: Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Peninsular War, 1807-1814, Waterloo, Battle of,...
Source: BPL_scan_for_me
21,065
21K
1882
1882
by
Dresser, Christopher
texts
eye 21,065
favorite 105
comment 1
( 1 reviews )
Topics: Architecture -- Japan, Art, Japanese, Decorative arts -- Japan, Japan -- Description and travel
9,744
9.7K
Jun 6, 2021
06/21
by
Mesureur, G
texts
eye 9,744
favorite 102
comment 1
Consists of designs for embroidery on linen
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Embroidery
Boston Public Library Interlibrary Loan
15,133
15K
1898
1898
by
Camden, William, 1551-1623; Philipot, John, 1589?-1645; Hovenden, Robert, 1830-1908; Harleian Society
texts
eye 15,133
favorite 11
comment 0
Includes index
Topics: Visitations, Heraldic, Heraldry
1,018 pages : 25 cm
Topics: Germans -- Soviet Union, Germany -- Emigration and immigration -- 18th century -- 19th century,...
3,321
3.3K
1882
1882
by
Muybridge, Eadweard, 1830-1904; Royal Institution of Great Britain
texts
eye 3,321
favorite 4
comment 0
Reprinted by the Royal Institution of Great Britain
Topics: Animal locomotion, Horses
Source: bplsc
12,018
12K
1854
1854
by
Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862; Carew, Thomas, 1595?-1639?
texts
eye 12,018
favorite 27
comment 0
Title vignette (Thoreau's hut at Walden Pond); the plan is a water depth chart of Walden Pond, 1846, opposite p. 307
Topic: United States. Massachusetts. Boston. 1854
5,907
5.9K
1976
1976
by
United States. Congress. Senate. Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities; Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
texts
eye 5,907
favorite 3
comment 0
Vol. 3-6 lack subtitle
Topics: Intelligence service, Civil rights
Source: bplgovdocs
17,243
17K
1890
1890
by
Lapham, William Berry, 1828-1894, comp; Bradbury, John Merrill, 1818-1876
texts
eye 17,243
favorite 1
comment 0
Topics: Bradbury, Thomas, 1611-1695, Bradbury family
19,865
20K
1887
1887
by
Conant, Frederick Odell, b. 1857
texts
eye 19,865
favorite 9
comment 0
"350 copies, octavo. 10 copies quarto."
Topics: Conant family, Conant, Roger, 1592-1679
Source: bplsocsci
7,759
7.8K
1953
1953
by
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
texts
eye 7,759
favorite 5
comment 0
Topics: Communism -- United States, Communism -- Ohio Columbus
4,299
4.3K
1913
1913
by
Hall, James, 1869-1917
texts
eye 4,299
favorite 72
comment 0
"A short list of books": p. 79-80
Topic: Pen drawing
Source: Fine Arts
15,870
16K
1917
1917
by
United States. War Dept
texts
eye 15,870
favorite 30
comment 1
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Cookery, Military, cbk
21,161
21K
1899
1899
by
Phelps, Oliver Seymour, b. 1816; Servin, Andrew Tinkey, b. 1857
texts
eye 21,161
favorite 15
comment 0
Paged continuously
Topics: Phelps family, Phelps, William, 1599-1672
The Improper Bostonian was a glossy lifestyle magazine first published in August 1991 "highlighting the people and places that make Boston a world-class city." After 28 years, publisher Wendy Semonian Eppich announced that the magazine ceased publication effective April 25, 2019. The magazine came out bi-weekly and reported on the area trends in a young and entertaining way. The magazine was a staple in Greater Boston, distributed free at kiosks within city limits, and available via a...
6,256
6.3K
1887
1887
by
Hughes, Thomas Patrick, 1838-1911; Munsell, Frank, b. 1857
texts
eye 6,256
favorite 1
comment 0
Special collection -- Munsell imprints
11,056
11K
1987
1987
by
United States. Congress. House. Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran; United States. Congress. Senate. Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition
texts
eye 11,056
favorite 7
comment 0
"November 1987"--Cover
Topics: Iran-Contra Affair, 1985-1990, Military assistance, American, Military assistance, American,...
Source: bplgovdocs
9,519
9.5K
1911
1911
by
Hall, A. Neely (Albert Neely), b. 1883; Hall, Norman P., ill
texts
eye 9,519
favorite 33
comment 1
''Published, August, 1911.''
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Woodwork, Toys, Amusements
2,590
2.6K
1890
1890
by
Buchanan, Roberdeau, 1839-1916; Bayard, Thomas F. (Thomas Francis), 1828-1898
texts
eye 2,590
favorite 1
comment 0
Topics: McCain family, McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817
Source: bplsocsci
9,971
10.0K
1997
1997
by
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary
texts
eye 9,971
favorite 0
comment 0
"March 18; May 7; June 25; July 22, 1997"--Pt. 1
Topics: Judges, Courts
Source: bplgovdocs
23,353
23K
1903
1903
by
Greene, George Sears, 1801-1899
texts
eye 23,353
favorite 24
comment 1
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Green family
Source: bplsocsci
21,043
21K
1891
1891
by
Fell, Sarah M., comp
texts
eye 21,043
favorite 5
comment 0
Published by an Association of the Fell family
Topics: Fell family, Fell, Joseph, 1668-1748
Source: bplsocsci
27,351
27K
1874
1874
by
Pigafetta, Antonio, ca. 1480/91-ca. 1534. Primo viaggio intorno al globo terraqueo. English; Stanley, Henry Edward John Stanley, Baron, 1827-1903
texts
eye 27,351
favorite 22
comment 0
Includes bibliographical references and indexes
Topics: Magalhães, Fernão de, d. 1521, Voyages around the world
Source: bplgrhum
20,031
20K
1905
1905
by
Harrison, Ella Warren, 1851-1937; Hopkins, Archibald Wilson, 1845-1926, publisher
texts
eye 20,031
favorite 6
comment 0
Topics: Hopkins, John, fl. 1759, Hopkins family
14,819
15K
texts
eye 14,819
favorite 11
comment 0
Last page is numbered in different style and typeface
Topics: Dreams, Fortune-telling
Source: bplsc
The John Adams Library at the Boston Public Library
12,830
13K
1705
1705
by
Suidas (Lexicographer); John Adams Library (Boston Public Library) BRL; Portus, Aemilius, 1550-1614 or 15; Kuster, Ludolf, 1670-1716; Adams, John, 1735-1826, former owner
texts
eye 12,830
favorite 22
comment 0
Greek and Latin in parallel columns. John Adams library copy contains signature on half title page, v. 1: "John Adams Paris Sept. 18. 1784"; signatures removed from v. 2-3.
Topic: Greek language -- Latin
18,591
19K
1705
1705
by
Comenius, Johann Amos, 1592-1670; Hoole, Charles, 1610-1667
texts
eye 18,591
favorite 36
comment 0
Latin and English in parallel columns
Topics: Latin language, Natural history, Picture books for children
Source: bplsc
The Thomas Pennant Barton Shakespeare Collection at the Boston Public Library
4,506
4.5K
1623
1623
by
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616; Hemige, John, approximately 1556-1630, editor; Condell, Henry, -1627 editor; Blount, Edward, active 1588 - 1632, bookseller; Smethwicke, John, -1641, bookseller; Aspley, William, -1640, Bookseller; Jaggard William, 1569-1623, printer; Jaggard, Isaac, -1627, printer; Droeshout, Martin, 1601 -, engraver; Digges, Leonard, 1588-1635; Jonson, Ben, 1573?-1637; Mabbe, James, 1572-1642?; Holland, Hugh, -1633; Rodd, Thomas, 1796-1849, former owner; Lewis, Charles, 1786 -...
texts
eye 4,506
favorite 18
comment 0
This, the first edition of the collected plays of William Shakespeare, is commonly known as the First Folio. Printed in London and issued in 1623 by Isaac Jaggard and Edward Blount, the First Folio contains 36 plays, 18 of which had never before appeared in print, including Macbeth, The Tempest, and Julius Caesar. Before the First Folio, a number of Shakespeare's plays had been published in various smaller formats that frequently contained significant textual divergences between editions.
1,717
1.7K
1929
1929
by
United States. Children's Bureau; Eliot, Martha M. (Martha May), b. 1891
texts
eye 1,717
favorite 3
comment 0
At head of title: U.S. Department of labor. James J. Davis, secretary. Children's bureau. Grace Abbott, chief
Topics: Infants, Infants
Source: bplgovdocs
The John Adams Library at the Boston Public Library
14,100
14K
1798
1798
by
Robison, John, 1739-1805; John Adams Library (Boston Public Library) BRL; Adams, John, 1735-1826, former owner; Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818, former owner
texts
eye 14,100
favorite 44
comment 1
John Adams Library copy inscribed on first leaf: "Jeremy Belknap 1798 from Mrs. A. Adams."
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Freemasonry, Illuminati
The major part of this distinguished collection is comprised of religious and devotional texts, but there are also a number of secular and scientific titles. Many are superbly illuminated with exquisite miniatures illustrating the codices and single leaves. Some noteworthy volumes include a 10th-century Lectionary from the Benedictine Abbey of St. Allyre in Clermont, the earliest codex in New England; a Spanish Psalter consisting of 14 miniatures on vellum by Simon Bening, the most famous...
18,297
18K
1949
1949
by
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
texts
eye 18,297
favorite 32
comment 5
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 5 reviews )
Topic: Communism -- United States
8,331
8.3K
1499
1499
by
Colonna, Francesco, -1527; Alberti, Leon Battista, 1404-1472; Colonna, Francesco, approximately 1453-1517; Guidobaldo, da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, 1472-1508; Scytha, Johannes Baptista; Maro, Andreas, active 15th century-16th century; Manuzio, Aldo, 1449 or 1450-1515, printer; Crasso, Leonardo, publisher; Gottschalk, Paul, 1880-, former owner.
texts
eye 8,331
favorite 25
comment 0
The initial letters of successive chapters in this work form an acrostic that includes the author's name: Poliam frater Franciscus Columna permauit.
Topic: Architectural writing
11,616
12K
1904
1904
by
Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles, 1871-1928
texts
eye 11,616
favorite 71
comment 1
Title in red and black
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Heraldry
Source: Gen Ref
2,494
2.5K
1912
1912
by
Hammond, Edith Cary
texts
eye 2,494
favorite 31
comment 0
Topics: Clothing and dress, Decoration and ornament
Source: Fine Arts
7,334
7.3K
1923
1923
by
Schrenck-Notzing, A. von (Albert), 1862-1929
texts
eye 7,334
favorite 14
comment 0
Translation of: Materialisationsphaenomene
Topic: Materialization
3,453
3.5K
1880
1880
by
Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of Ethnology
texts
eye 3,453
favorite 1
comment 0
Includes accompanying papers
Topics: Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology, Ethnology, Indians
Source: bplgovdocs
16,351
16K
1860
1860
by
Bond, Henry, 1790-1859; Jones, Horatio Gates, 1822-1893
texts
eye 16,351
favorite 36
comment 0
v. 1. Genealogies. v. 2. Additions, corrections, and early history
Topics: Watertown (Mass.) -- Genealogy, Watertown (Mass.) -- History, Massachusetts -- Genealogy, Waltham...
11,654
12K
1926
1926
by
Boston Public Library
texts
eye 11,654
favorite 2
comment 0
Title from cover
Topics: Boston Public Library, Boston Public Library, Bibliography, Classified catalogs, Catalogs
3,092
3.1K
1911
1911
by
Serkoff, Vera, Countess
texts
eye 3,092
favorite 5
comment 0
Includes index
Topics: Paper bag cookery, cbk
2 volumes ; 24 cm
Topics: Registers of births, etc. -- Colombia -- Antioquia (Department), Registers of births, etc. --...
4,959
5.0K
1905
1905
by
Burnett, Frances Hodgson, 1849-1924; Betts, Ethel Franklin, ill
texts
eye 4,959
favorite 10
comment 0
17,214
17K
1909
1909
by
White, John Barber, 1847-1923; Wilson, Lillian Mae, ed
texts
eye 17,214
favorite 9
comment 0
Topic: Gleason family
Source: bplsocsci
