After working in Special Collections for a while, we meet many people who leave a lasting impression on us—collectors, donors of papers, students, and researchers, among others, who devote countless hours to their work in these collections. In the midst of comings and goings, some individuals stand out, and one of them deserves special recognition.Continue reading “Lucy Hartmann”
Author Archives: Greg Prickman
Stewart Stern, 1922-2015
Yesterday I walked into a meeting to discuss an upcoming exhibition we are putting together on World War II. On the book truck I pushed in front of me were several boxes from the papers of Stewart Stern. Stern was a World War II veteran, a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge, who wentContinue reading “Stewart Stern, 1922-2015”
“New” Incunables Arrive in Special Collections
If you have been following any of our social media feeds over the past few days, you may have noticed photos popping up of newly-acquired incunables. So, what’s going on here? First, some background: Incunables are books printed in Europe during the fifteenth century, between 1450 and 1501, examples of the earliest printed books. TheContinue reading ““New” Incunables Arrive in Special Collections”
Leigh Hunt’s Fireplace
Last week we opened, for the first time, a wooden shipping crate that had been stored in the department for many years. It had been sent to the Libraries in 1986 by Desmond Leigh-Hunt, the great-great-grandson of the Romantic poet and editor Leigh Hunt. Desmond Leigh-Hunt described it in correspondence as the fireplace surround fromContinue reading “Leigh Hunt’s Fireplace”
In Memory of George Ludwig
The U.S. launched its first satellite, Explorer I, on this day 55 years ago, on January 31, 1958. Under the direction of Prof. James A. Van Allen of the University of Iowa’s Department of Physics, the satellite carried a payload of data-gathering equipment which eventually revealed the presence of radiation belts encircling the earth. OurContinue reading “In Memory of George Ludwig”
Happy Thanksgiving!
This morning I was a guest on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa program, where we discussed Thanksgiving recipes, cookbooks, and traditions. You can listen to an archived version of the program here. Below are links to some of the items from Special Collections that were discussed on the show. Szathmary Culinary Manuscripts: http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cookbooks DIYContinue reading “Happy Thanksgiving!”
New items in our “pop-up” display case
Two events with deep ties to history take place over the next week, and you can stop in to the Special Collections & University Archives reading room now to see a piece related to each. On Sunday, June 3, a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee features a procession of over 1,000 boats onContinue reading “New items in our “pop-up” display case”
Hevelin Collection
This week the University of Iowa Libraries is pleased to announce the acquisition of the James L. “Rusty” Hevelin Collection of Pulps, Fanzines, and Science Fiction Books. The original press release can be viewed here. Rusty Hevelin passed away on December 27, 2011 after an illness. He was a science fiction fan, pulp collector, hucksterContinue reading “Hevelin Collection”
Books in the World of Downton Abbey
Our new exhibit in the departmental cases is now open. It focuses on the ITV/PBS series Downton Abbey, which is currently in its second season on Masterpiece Theater. The exhibition can be viewed on the third floor of the Main Library anytime the building is open. The items on display include books mentioned in theContinue reading “Books in the World of Downton Abbey”
William Henderson Civil War Diaries
The first of several new Civil War acquisitions arrived yesterday: 11 diaries written by William Henderson, who served as part of the “University Recruits” in Company C, 12th Iowa Regiment. He and his fellow students from Upper Iowa University mustered in Oct. 4, 1861. He went on to serve at Fort Donelson, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson,Continue reading “William Henderson Civil War Diaries”