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
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 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...
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 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.
Material for this collection has been contributed by the Boston Public Library.
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...
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...
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,...
2,108
2.1K
1878
1878
by
Moss, Edward L. (Edward Lawton)
texts
eye 2,108
favorite 15
comment 0
The plates are mounted chrome-lithographs, each preceded by leaf with descriptive letterpress
Topics: Nares, George S. (George Strong), 1831-1915, Alert (Ship), Discovery (Ship)
Source: folio
2 volumes ; 24 cm
Topics: Registers of births, etc. -- Colombia -- Antioquia (Department), Registers of births, etc. --...
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...
109,895
110K
1921
1921
by
Lutz, Edwin George, b. 1868
texts
eye 109,895
favorite 622
comment 2
OCLC number: ocm07014379
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 2 reviews )
Topic: Drawing
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.
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...
These Catholic directories provide information about the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
3,926
3.9K
1989
1989
by
Parks, Roger N; Hall, David D; Taylor, Alan, 1955-; Committee for a New England Bibliography
texts
eye 3,926
favorite 9
comment 0
Includes bibliographical references and index
Topic: Union catalogs
125,677
126K
1921
1921
by
Johnson, Samuel, d. 1901; Johnson, O. (Obadiah)
texts
eye 125,677
favorite 67
comment 3
OCLC number: ocm07397140
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 3 reviews )
Topic: Yoruba (African people)
A collection of book lists created and curated by Boston Public Library Librarians. It includes: Black Is... (1973-), published in observance of Black History Month and featuring books concerning the African American experience; Latinx Life (2003-), published in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and featuring books concerning the Latinx experience; We Are Pride (2017-), published in observance of Pride Month and featuring books concerning the diverse experiences of the LGBTQ+...
1,018 pages : 25 cm
Topics: Germans -- Soviet Union, Germany -- Emigration and immigration -- 18th century -- 19th century,...
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...
"The life of Francesco Guicciardini, taken chiefly from Signior Domenico Manni of Florence": v. 1, p. i-xxxii
Topic: Italy -- History -- 1492-1559
19,558
20K
1923
1923
by
Johnson, Henry Lewis
texts
eye 19,558
favorite 321
comment 2
''Book reference list'':p. [192-193]
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 2 reviews )
Topics: Printing, Book ornamentation, Decoration and ornament
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.
34,506
35K
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 34,506
favorite 41
comment 0
Includes bibliographical references and indexes
Topics: Magalhães, Fernão de, d. 1521, Voyages around the world
Source: bplgrhum
18,496
18K
1917
1917
by
United States. War Dept
texts
eye 18,496
favorite 47
comment 1
270 p. :
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Cookery, Military, cbk
"List of works consulted": v. 1, p. [iii]-iv
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Antigua -- Genealogy, Antigua -- History
Source: bplill
[4] p., 130 leaves of plates : 37 cm
Topics: Monograms, Initials
60,659
61K
1922
1922
by
Spraker, Ella Atterbury, b. 1883; Crump, Jesse Procter, 1867-
texts
eye 60,659
favorite 36
comment 0
691, [7] p. 27 cm
Topics: Boone family, Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820
6,311
6.3K
1926
1926
by
Boston Public Library
texts
eye 6,311
favorite 5
comment 0
Title from cover
Topics: Boston Public Library, Bibliography, Classified catalogs, Catalogs
6,069
6.1K
1798
1798
by
Caslon, William, 1754-1833
texts
eye 6,069
favorite 95
comment 0
Issued with: 'A specimen of cast ornaments', London, 1798
Topic: Printing
14,368
14K
1926
1926
by
Boston Public Library
texts
eye 14,368
favorite 6
comment 0
Title from cover
Topics: Boston Public Library, Bibliography, Classified catalogs, Catalogs
39,739
40K
The Chapman family: or The descendants of Robert Chapman, one of the first settlers of Say-brook, Conn., with genealogical notes of William Chapman, who settled in New London, Conn.; Edward Chapman, who settled at Windsor, Conn.; John Chapman, of Stonington, Conn.; and Rev. Benjamin Chapman, of Southington, Conn
1854
1854
by
Chapman, F. W. (Frederick William), 1806-1876
texts
eye 39,739
favorite 8
comment 0
414 p. 23 cm
Topics: Chapman family, Chapman, Robert, 1616-1687, Chapman, William, d. 1699, Chapman, Edward, d. 1675,...
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....
54,860
55K
1905
1905
by
Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles, 1871-1928
texts
eye 54,860
favorite 40
comment 1
Photocopy
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Heraldry -- Great Britain
7,368
7.4K
1913
1913
by
Wright, William Henry, b. 1843; Ketchum, Gertrude Wright
texts
eye 7,368
favorite 5
comment 0
Index: p. 227-235
Topic: Wright family
46,868
47K
1894
1894
by
Carr, Edson I. (Edson Irving), b. 1831
texts
eye 46,868
favorite 14
comment 0
540 p. 24 cm
Topics: Carr family, Carr, William, 1597-1672
7,034
7.0K
1915
1915
by
Jacobson & Company
texts
eye 7,034
favorite 65
comment 0
On cover: Architectural and decorative ornaments
Topics: Plaster, Decoration and ornament, Architectural
Source: BPL_scan_for_me
Translation of: L'âme humaine
Topics: Soul, Aura
Source: bplill
4,219
4.2K
1889
1889
by
Scott, Robert Pittis
texts
eye 4,219
favorite 26
comment 0
305 p. 19 cm
Topics: Cycling, Bicycles
Source: bplgrhum
35,581
36K
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 35,581
favorite 25
comment 0
Vol. 3-6 lack subtitle
Topics: Intelligence service, Civil rights
Source: bplgovdocs
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...
Boston Public Library Interlibrary Loan
18,442
18K
1898
1898
by
Camden, William, 1551-1623; Philipot, John, 1589?-1645; Hovenden, Robert, 1830-1908; Harleian Society
texts
eye 18,442
favorite 19
comment 0
Includes index
Topics: Visitations, Heraldic, Heraldry
43,291
43K
1903
1903
by
Babcock, Stephen, 1832-1916, comp
texts
eye 43,291
favorite 29
comment 2
xxx, 640 p. 24 cm
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 2 reviews )
Topics: Babcock family, Babcock, James, 1612?-1679
13,864
14K
1904
1904
by
Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles, 1871-1928
texts
eye 13,864
favorite 107
comment 1
Title in red and black
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Heraldry
Source: Gen Ref
6,024
6.0K
1906
1906
by
Harris, Joseph S. (Joseph Smith), 1836-1910
texts
eye 6,024
favorite 2
comment 0
Preface signed: Joseph S. Harris
Topic: Smith family
12,810
13K
1922
1922
by
Joyce, James, 1882-1941; Rodker, John, 1894-1955, publisher; Darantière, Maurice, printer; Egoist Press, publisher
texts
eye 12,810
favorite 58
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
32,054
32K
1724
1724
by
Defoe, Daniel, 1661?-1731; Johnson, Charles, fl. 1724-1731
texts
eye 32,054
favorite 113
comment 0
Attribution to Defoe is based on internal textual relationship to his works of proven authorship together with supporting external evidence. Cf. J.H. Moore. Defoe in the pillory. Bloomington, Ind., 1939, p. 126-188
Topic: Pirates
Source: bplsc
xvi, 236 p. ; 20 cm
Topic: Erotic literature
Source: bplill
36,041
36K
1881
1881
by
Baldwin, C. C. (Charles Candee), 1834-1895
texts
eye 36,041
favorite 31
comment 1
974 p. 24 cm
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Baldwin family
29,895
30K
1916
1916
by
Abbe, Cleveland, 1838-1916; Nichols, Mary Josephine Genung, b. 1876, joint comp
texts
eye 29,895
favorite 15
comment 0
viii, 511 p. 27 cm
Topics: Abbe, John, ca. 1613-ca. 1669, Abbey family
11,955
12K
Jun 26, 2022
06/22
by
Mesureur, G
texts
eye 11,955
favorite 155
comment 1
Consists of designs for embroidery on linen
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Embroidery
"This book contains proof that the earth is flat and stationary, while the usn, moon and stars are in constant motion. Also letters howing the testimony of Scripture on the subejct."
favorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Geodesy, Pseudoscience
23,967
24K
1908
1908
by
Nesfield, John Collinson
texts
eye 23,967
favorite 32
comment 0
Includes index
Topic: English language
34,589
35K
The Gentry family in America, 1676 to 1909 : including notes on the following families related to the Gentrys : Claiborne, Harris, Hawkins, Robinson, Smith, Wyatt, Sharp, Fulkerson, Butler, Bush, Blythe, Pabody, Noble, Haggard, and Tindall
1909
1909
by
Gentry, Richard, b. 1846
texts
eye 34,589
favorite 9
comment 0
Includes index
Topics: Gentry, Nicholas, fl. 1709, Gentry family
Source: bplsocsci
51,707
52K
1908
1908
by
Jones, Emma C. Brewster, b. 1854
texts
eye 51,707
favorite 47
comment 0
2 v. 24 cm
Topics: Brewster, William, 1566 or 7-1644, Brewster family, Allerton family
Boston Public Library Interlibrary Loan
2,986
3.0K
1907
1907
by
Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew), 1860-1937; O'Connor, Daniel, 1880-1951; Woodward, Alice B., ill
texts
eye 2,986
favorite 42
comment 0
Title vignette; illustrated end-papers
7,922
7.9K
1887
1887
by
Hughes, Thomas Patrick, 1838-1911; Munsell, Frank, b. 1857
texts
eye 7,922
favorite 5
comment 0
Special collection -- Munsell imprints
Topics: Albany (N.Y.) -- Genealogy, United States -- Genealogy, Columbia County (N.Y.) -- Genealogy
Also includes ''The story of Topsy'' from Uncle Tom's Cabin
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 4 reviews )
Source: bplill
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.
"List of works consulted": v. 1, p. [iii]-iv
Topics: Antigua -- Genealogy, Antigua -- History
Source: bplill
xxxiii, 266 pages ; 23 cm
Topics: AIDS (Disease) -- Popular works, AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment, AIDS (Disease) -- Miscellanea
30,990
31K
1923
1923
by
Culbertson, Lewis R. (Lewis Rogers), b. 1867
texts
eye 30,990
favorite 9
comment 0
Blank pages for "Family records" ([468]-478)
Topics: Culbertson family, Culberson, John, fl. 1712
Source: bplsocsci
33,309
33K
1905
1905
by
Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles, 1871-1928
texts
eye 33,309
favorite 32
comment 1
Photocopy
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Heraldry -- Great Britain
Topics: Bibliography, Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973, Fantasy literature
27,310
27K
1880
1880
by
Briggs, Samuel, b. 1841
texts
eye 27,310
favorite 7
comment 0
xiv, 264 p. 24 cm
Topics: Briggs family, Briggs, John, fl. 1638
38,952
39K
1880
1880
by
Bliss, John Homer, b. 1832
texts
eye 38,952
favorite 24
comment 1
810 p. 24 cm
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Bliss family, Morris, Oliver Bliss, Bliss, Sylvester, 1814-1863
74,202
74K
-
-
by
United States. Adjutant General
texts
eye 74,202
favorite 11
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
23,890
24K
1899
1899
by
Phelps, Oliver Seymour, b. 1816; Servin, Andrew Tinkey, b. 1857
texts
eye 23,890
favorite 20
comment 0
Paged continuously
Topics: Phelps family, Phelps, William, 1599-1672
10,709
11K
1909
1909
by
Fuller, Eva Greene
texts
eye 10,709
favorite 35
comment 0
180 p. 19 cm
Topic: Sandwiches
31,416
31K
1912
1912
by
Avery, Elroy McKendree, 1844-1935; Avery, Catherine Hitchcock Tilden, 1844-1911
texts
eye 31,416
favorite 11
comment 0
2 v. 25 cm
Topics: Avery, Christopher, 1590-1679, Avery, James, 1620?-1700, Avery family
