by Clements Library | Oct 9, 2019 | Books, Maps, Volunteers
This essay by volunteer Derek Brereton examines three examples of the same Spanish cultural symbolism found in some of the oldest collection items at the Clements Library. The Clements Library is fortunate to possess at least three fine examples of illustrations...
by Emiko Hastings | Jan 10, 2019 | Books, Featured
Most of the 18th and 19th century American newspapers in the Clements Library collections have bindings that are functional rather than artistic. Many volumes have been rebound in 20th century olive green cloth and either green paper or plain gray boards. The older...
by Clements Library | Aug 18, 2018 | Books, Holidays, Manuscripts
No commemoration of Bad Poetry Day would be complete without a nod to the (in)famous poet (and native Michigander) Julia A. Moore. The Clements Library is the proud owner of several editions of her collected poems. Born in Plainfield, Michigan, in 1847, Julia Moore...
by Emiko Hastings | Feb 2, 2018 | Books, Featured
Soldiers’ wartime letters and diaries sometimes contain references to items picked up on the battlefield or seized from enemy property. For example, the Henry Clinton Papers at the Clements Library contain letters and other materials captured or intercepted from...
by Emiko Hastings | Aug 16, 2017 | Books
From its founding, the William L. Clements Library has dedicated its collecting efforts to the subject of American history. While some aspects of the collecting scope have changed over the years, we have generally held firm to the idea that items must be...
by Clements Library | Mar 2, 2017 | Books, Graphics, Manuscripts
In early 1862, George Driver was serving on board the Highlander as a supply officer and doing his part for the Union cause, making his father enormously proud. The George Driver Family Papers include Stephen Driver’s letter to his son dated March 2nd, which...
by Clements Library | Dec 23, 2016 | Books, Manuscripts
A snowball fight from A Book of Winter Sports: An Attempt to Catch the Spirit of the Keen Joys of the Winter Season (New York, 1912).The arrival of the winter solstice often coincides with the first significant snowfall of the season. As adults we mostly view...
by Clements Library | Jun 14, 2016 | Books, Graphics, Holidays, Manuscripts, Maps
By Emiko Hastings, Curator of BooksIn honor of Flag Day, we share a variety of U.S. flag-related imagery from across the Clements Library collections. Flag Day, established by President Woodrow Wilson, in 1916, commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United...
by Clements Library | Dec 21, 2015 | Books, Graphics, Holidays, Manuscripts
The Clements staff are busy packing offices and preparing collections for our move back to campus, an all-encompassing task that makes the days pass far too quickly. We take this opportunity to step back from bubble wrap and boxes to reflect on the magic of the...
