Shakespeare rare print collection

Edited by Seymour Eaton, a Canadian-born author and journalist who, interestingly, is credited with coining the term “Teddy Bear” in one of the children’s books he wrote, The Roosevelt Bears. After moving to Philadelphia in 1892 to expand his writing career, Eaton founded the Booklovers’ Library, a huge circulating library in America and England. For this Shakespeare volume, Eaton was commissioned to gather together significant prints about the Bard and his plays, compiling them into a special limited edition volume for private circulation. Our copy was one of many different Shakespeare volumes that have been added over the past 120 years to augment the original Enoch Carson Shakespearean Library purchased by William A. Procter and donated to the University of Cincinnati.

Condition and treatment: This is a connoisseur edition of rare prints issued for a private circulation, dating to 1900. The portfolio case housing the prints has been previously repaired in the past; however, the original folders within the portfolio are damaged along the edges and are in need of repair. Conservation staff will conduct paper repairs to stabilize the parts within the portfolio and will surface clean the plates to remove dirt and grime throughout. The portfolio will be housed in a cloth covered clamshell.