A Lecture on the Past, the Present, and the Future of the New York Society Library, Delivered Before the Shareholders, February 15th, 1856

MacMullen, John

Published by John F. Trow, New York, 1856

About this Item

Inscribed by author (no signature by identified as "The Librarian") on front cover in black ink at top: "To Joseph Delafield Esq., with the Respects of, The Librarian." Original publisher's beige paper wrappers. Black lettering printed on front cover. No lettering on spine. Printed by John F. Trow. 5 3/4" x 9 1/4." Forty-two pages, complete. Pages are very clean and intact except for a vertical crease at center and occasional foxing. Covers are clean and intact overall but have a vertical crease at center, slight darkening, slight foxing, small chips to head and tail of spine, and a split extending about down on spine to the tail. A Very Good copy. A lecture delivered before shareholders of the New York Society Library by librarian John MacMullen. MacMullen discusses the Library's history as well as plans for its future. MacMullen's speech was given with the intent of gaining financial support for the Library from the shareholders. MacMullen begins his lecture with a brief chronological retelling of the library from its origins in the early eighteenth century, when collections of books from English clergymen in the early American colonies became available to the public, to the present in 1856. The New York Society Library received its official chartered name in 1772. The Library suffered from the throes of the American Revolution, but 600 of the Library's volumes were rediscovered in St. Paul's Church. MacMullen says it is unclear how they got there. In 1788, the Library Trustees met for the first time since 1774. MacMullen finishes the Library's history by chronicling various happenings related to the Library including publications of its Catalogues and relocations to different buildings. Following this, MacMullen makes several arguments in favor of raising more money for the Library. He argues that the New York Society Library is much more than "a quiet place to go and read in." Among his arguments supporting New York Society Library's intrinsic value is that the Library has a diverse collection of volumes tailored toward a variety of disciplines be it religion, the sciences, or law (and many more); the Library's special holdings apparently available nowhere else; the Library's ability to provide comfort, solace, and access to the outside world for invalids through its books; and the Library's association with newspapers, lectures, and sermons. Names of the Library Trustees and "Persons Holding Rights" are listed in the back.

Seller Inventory # 025968

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Lecture on the Past, the Present, and the Future of the New York Society Library, Delivered Before the Shareholders, February 15th, 1856
• Publisher: John F. Trow, New York
• Publication Date: 1856
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Books about Books
  • Literature
  • U.S. History