By Naomi Yu, Graduate Assistant Cataloger
The Book Division has been hard at work making rare and historic books available for research. Check out some of our newly cataloged works from 2025!
Romances
Over the past few months, the Books Division has cataloged a wide range of sensational materials, with romance novels arriving in a particularly high volume. Among the notable acquisitions are several works by the author Mrs. Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth (1819-1899), a popular and prolific author in the 19th century. Her novels were centered around heroines who often challenge Victorian values of domesticity and conformity. This mirrored her own life, as she began writing in order to support her family after being left by her husband. Southworth’s heroines often hail from unconventional backgrounds, relying on their wits and bravery to navigate both social and fantastical challenges. Southworth was an active supporter of women’s rights and social reform.
The following are romantic works written by Southworth that have been recently cataloged by the Book Division:
Spiritualists and Mediums
Interesting material about spiritualists has also made its way into the fold. Popular during the 19th century, Spiritualists were found in a wide array of situations. In a recently acquired book, a spiritualist and medium by the name of Nettie Colburn claims that a reading she provided for Abraham Lincoln was the impetus for the Emancipation Proclamation. In another work, a detective claims to have solved a famous murder, that of Mary Stannard, by having a reading done by his clairvoyant nephew. Both of these works are non-fiction, and are personal accounts.
These are simply a few standout cases in the wide selection of spiritualist work that occupies the Book Division’s cart:
Example of Robert E. Massman’s miniature bookplates.
Miniature Bibles! [From the collection of Robert E. Massman]
We have continued to catalog selections from a collection of miniature books donated to the Clements Library by Joan Knoertzer, a member of the Clements Library Associates Board of Governors. Among these are several volumes from the personal collection of Robert E. Massmann (1924-2013), the former president of the Miniature Book Society. An avid collector of miniature books, he was also an author in his own right, publishing his own mini books, including an autobiography. Massmann graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master’s Degree in Library Science, and served as Director of Library Services at Central Connecticut State University. These miniature books mainly consist of religious works, and feature a diverse array of bindings. Each book contains a miniature Massmann bookplate!
Here are some of the works included:
A Special Case
Finally, a special case that had everyone in the office interested. A biographical memorial of young school teacher Effie Moodie McMillan, of Xenia, Ohio, largely written and edited by her cousin Christiana Moodie. This memorial work demonstrates the deep bond between the two, as Christiana wrote over 150 pages about her friend, who passed away in 1856. Within the copy, there is a photograph of Christiana included, and a handwritten letter between Effie’s brothers, who suggest taking Christiana in during her time of grief. A highly personal work that offers a glimpse into the touching friendship between two young women.
Inside cover of In the morning of life featuring a photograph of Christiana Moodie and a manuscript letter written by Wm. C. Smith