American Treasures
4 July - 20 September 2007
The Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library
On 4 July 2007 - United States Independence Day - the British Library will unveil a small display bringing together a selection of its American collections, many of which have rarely been exhibited. Ranging from early colonial items to a first edition of On the Road by Jack Kerouac, the exhibition highlights some of the British Library's American treasures.
The earliest item displayed is a 1647 edition of the 'Bay Psalm Book', the second and rarest edition of the first book printed in English America. Other items include the Massachusetts-language 'Eliot Bible', Mamusse Wunneetupanatamwe Up-Biblum God (1663) , the 1765 Tax Stamps that sparked a revolution, a letter from George Washington discussing the new capital of the Union and a colour map of what became New York, drawn in 1664 after New Amsterdam's capture from the Dutch in 1661.
Also exhibited is the Leland-Boker copy of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), one of the most highly sought after printed documents of American history, which bears President Abraham Lincoln's signature. Other exhibits dating from the nineteenth century include Alexander Gardner's iconic civil war photographs, the first edition of Walt Whitman's poetry collection, Leaves of Grass (1855) and the manuscript of Nathaniel Hawthorne's mysterious, romantic novel Marble Faun (1860), along with a letter from him during his time serving as the U.S. Consul in Liverpool.
Modern exhibits include the American first edition of Jack Kerouac's classic novel, On the Road, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, a copy of Robert Crumb's Carload O'Comics, with an additional drawing and inscription by the comic artist, and a telegram from Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller to Terrence Rattigan discussing his play, The Sleeping Prince, which became a major film starring Monroe and Laurence Olivier, The Prince and the Showgirl.
The exhibition coincides with the launch of a new British Library web resource dedicated to the American Revolution: http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/features/americanrevolution/
Carole Holden, Head of Americas Collections at the British Library, commented: "The British Library has a significant collection of American books, maps and manuscripts dating from the Colonial period to the current day, illuminating the interwoven history of our two nations, and reflecting the political and cultural importance of the United States . This exhibition brings together some of the highlights of these collections, offering a unique opportunity to see some of the British Library's American treasures on display, side-by-side. "
For further information or images, contact Ruth Howlett at the British Library Press Office: 020 7412 7112 or ruth.howlett@bl.uk
Notes for Editors
American Treasures will be on display in The Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library from 4 July - 20 September 2007. Admission is free.
The British Library is the national Library of the United Kingdom. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk