- Scope and Contents
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The collection holds the non-print component of the Betsy Beinecke Shirley Collection of American Children's Literature, and contains original illustrations and manuscript material acquired by Betsy Shirley to complement and enhance her extensive collection of printed books and serials. It consists of drawings, paintings, literary manuscripts, printing blocks, correspondence, and documents related to children's literature, and the education and amusement of children. In accordance with her views as a collector, the material was divided between that created for literary purposes by both professionals and amateurs (in Series I) and that of a more historical nature and related to education (in Series II). Series III holds three small collections of papers that were acquired as discrete archival groups: the papers of J. Austin Sperry, Leon M. Tyrrell, and Edward Stratemeyer.
In this finding aid, the term "drawing" indicates an original work of illustration art, and does not distinguish the stages between a preliminary sketch and a finished drawing; for some artists, such as F. O. C. Darley, there are both present. Every attempt was made to assign a specific title, project, or publication to the illustrations in the collection. Original works of art are filed under the artist’s name, regardless if the resulting publication is more prominently associated with the author of the text; for example, drawings by Frederick Richardson for Andrew Lang’s popular fairy book volumes appear here under Richardson’s name.
The Collector’s Files series consist mostly of the files that Shirley kept as she collected American children’s literature. This includes her research, bibliographic information on books, authors, and publishers, and exhibition files. Shirley’s collections were used in exhibitions at museums and libraries including the Brandywine River Museum, the High Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. - Language of Materials
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In English, French, German, Assiniboine, Clallam, and Columbia-Wenatchi.
- Conditions Governing Access
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The materials are open for research.
Boxes 49-50: Restricted fragile material. Reference surrogates have been substituted in the main files. For further information consult the appropriate curator.
Box 94 (videocassettes): Use of originals are restricted. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information. - Conditions Governing Use
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The Betsy Beinecke Shirley Collection of American Children's Literature is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
- Immediate Source of Acquisition
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Gifts and bequest of Betsy Beinecke Shirley, 1989-2005.
Gift of Katie Michel, 2018 (Box 9, folder 199a). - Arrangement
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Organized into four series: I. Authors and Illustrators for Children (1719-2001); II. American History and Educational Materials (1640-1966); III. Other Papers (1836-1968); and IV. Collector's Files (1829-2011).
- Dates
- 1640-2001
- Extent
- 55 Linear Feet ((93 boxes) + 3 broadside folders + 7 art objects)
- Related Names
- Shirley, Betsy Beinecke
- Alcott, Louisa May, 1832-1888
- Anderson, Alexander, 1775-1870
- André, R. (Richard), 1834-1907
- Angelo, Valenti, 1897-1982
- Anglund, Joan Walsh, 1926-
- Bemelmans, Ludwig, 1898-1962
- Billings, Hammatt, 1818-1874
- Boutet de Monvel, Louis Maurice, 1850-1913
- Boutet de Monvel, Roger, 1879-1951
- Bowles, Carington, 1724-1793
- Bransom, Paul, 1885-1979
- Bruton, W. (William), 1854 or 1855-1885
- Burgess, Gelett, 1866-1951
- Cady, Harrison, 1877-1970
- Capote, Truman, 1924-1984
- Church, Frederick S. (Frederick Stuart), 1842-1924
- Clemens, Samuel Langhorne, 1835-1910
- Cogger, Edward P.
- Cox, Palmer, 1840-1924
- Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878
- Darley, Felix Octavius Carr, 1822-1888
- Denslow, W. W. (William Wallace), 1856-1915
- Dodgson, Charles Lutwidge, 1832-1898
- Drayton, Grace G. (Grace Gebbie), 1877-1936
- Falls, C. B. (Charles Buckles), 1874-1960
- Field, Eugene, 1850-1895
- Francis, J. G. (Joseph Greene), 1849-1930
- Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
- Frost, A. B. (Arthur Burdett), 1851-1928
- Furness, William Henry, 1802-1896
- Grimaldi, Stacey, 1790-1863 ($t: Toilet)
- Goodwin, Polly, 1908-2007
- Gruelle, Johnny, 1880-1938
- Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
- Hancock, Ebenezer, 1741-1819
- Hancock, John, 1737-1793
- Hopkins, Livingston, 1846-1927
- Ives, Sarah Noble, 1864-1944
- Keller, Helen, 1880-1968
- Kemble, E. W. (Edward Windsor), 1861-1933
- Lathrop, Dorothy Pulis, 1891-1980
- McVickar, H. W. (Harry Whitney), 1860-1905
- Melvill, Allan, 1782-1832
- Moore, Clement Clarke, 1779-1863
- Mora, Jo, 1876-1947
- Newell, Peter, 1862-1924
- Petersham, Maud, 1890-1971
- Pogány, Willy, 1882-1955
- Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934
- Rogers, W. A. (William Allen), 1854-1931
- Sands, Benjamin
- Shimin, Symeon, 1902-1984
- Shinn, Everett, 1876-1953
- Smith, Jessie Willcox, 1863-1935
- Sperry, J. Austin (Jacob Austin), 1823-1896
- Stephens, H. L. (Henry Louis), 1824-1882
- Stratemeyer, Edward, 1862-1930
- Twain, Mark, 1835-1910
- Tyler, Mary Elizabeth Sawyer, 1806-1889
- Tyrrell, Leon M., b. 1875
- Van Loon, Hendrik Willem, 1882-1944
- Washington, George, 1732-1799
- Webster, Noah, 1758-1843
- Whiting, Mary Elizabeth Flint, 1823-1891
- Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892
- Wiese, Kurt, 1887-1974
- Johnson & Warner
- McLoughlin Bros
- Nazareth Hall
- Peekskill Military Academy (Peekskill, N.Y.)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Language of Materials
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Language of Materials
- French
- Script
- Latin
- Language of Materials
- German
- Script
- Latin