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These files have been compiled by the Rare Book and Manuscript Library from its origin in 1930 through the present day. The material derives largely from gifts, and the occasional purchase; much of the subject file in particular is made of ephemera included in the American Type Founders, Co. Library, purchased in 1942. Prospectuses and information sent by fine presses and book artists are added to the relevant files in an ongoing fashion. The files cover subjects from the beginning of printing to the current day.

The collection of historical photographs and lithographs of New York City consists of about 3,000 items dated from the 1850s until the 1980s. The collection is made up of color photographic prints, color negatives, black-and-white photographic prints, black-and-white negatives, copy prints, studio and cabinet cards, stereo cards, cyanotypes, albumen prints, gelatin silver prints, lantern slides, glass negatives, and Polaroid prints, lithographs, woodcuts, tear sheets, and engravings. The collection also includes official images, newspaper images, and candid images. Also included are images from the photo morgue of the New York Herald-Tribune newspaper, which ceased publication in 1966. Other images were purchased as copies from New-York Historical Society, Museum of the City of New York, WNYC-FM Radio, the Bettman Archive, and from collectors, private vendors, and other institutions. Photos by noted photographers are included.

This collection contains architectural photographs, drawings and records related to the architectural projects and designs of Warren and Wetmore, principally in the United States, but also representing commissions in Canada, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the bulk of architectural drawings produced by the firm are no longer extant. Additionally, it holds a variety of photographs and other records used as reference materials in the course of Warren and Wetmore's professional work. Lastly, a small group of student and personal papers and photographs from Whitney Warren completes the collection.

This small collection contains primarily Detwiller's student drawings, notes, course materials, books, class photographs, and graduation announcements from the period of his study at Columbia University from 1881 to 1885. These materials are supplemented by a small group of Detwiller's childhood sketchbooks, drawings and office papers created by Detwiller during his practice as a professional architect, and other scrapbooks and ephemeral items relating to Detwiller's family and personal interests, spanning the years 1874 to 1940.

Books and Reading through the Lens of the Picture Postcard: The collection includes printed postcards, real photo postcards, cyanotypes, sepia tones, undivided backs, divided backs, full bleed borders, white borders, lines and chromes, and largely encompasses the full range and style of printing processes used for modern postcards from approximately 1900-1960. It is arranged by author and title, subjects, and genres and constitutes 1,027 cards. One of the genres reflects a unique phenomenon which illustrates portrait studio and reproduction photography postcards of individuals and groups reading books. The collection includes women reading books, men reading books, women reading books to children, grandmothers reading with kids, children reading books and all the variations. There are also risqué postcards, nudes reading books, etc. Other topics include books publishers, bookseller cards, librarians, and bookmobiles. There are beautifully illustrated postcards featuring some of the leading artists: Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth and Frank Schoonover. The post cards are organized in 4 series: 1. Publishers/ Book Store Advertizing Postcards (with Authors and titles); 2. Reading Books; 3. Scenes of Reading; 4. Reading: Mixed Groups of Men and Women Reading. (A detailed list of all the postcards is kept within each series binder).