The James L. Harner Collection of Miniature Books Pertaining to Shakespeare: Difference between revisions

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Cook manages the Folger's annual Acquisitions Night. Participants are encouraged to explore new additions to the Folger collection and may have the opportunity to adopt materials for their preservation and conservation.
Cook manages the Folger's annual Acquisitions Night. Participants are encouraged to explore new additions to the Folger collection and may have the opportunity to adopt materials for their preservation and conservation.
== April 3 - June 30, 2019 ==
*Snapped travelling leather case and bindings (F 270498)
*Huet collection very miniature set in Rosewood case (F 270410)
*Rotating mahogany bookcase (F 270399)

Revision as of 12:28, 30 May 2019

The James L. Harner Collection of Miniature Books Pertaining to Shakespeare

You don’t have to read these books to understand what makes them special. Their size delights the viewer and demonstrates skilled printing, binding, and artist’s work. The smallest item is a 14-millimeter printing of Act IV, Scene 1 from The Merchant of Venice. The tallest set—twelve volumes of an 1888 edition of Shakespeare’s Works—is housed in a carved, glass-fronted wood cabinet.

Harner’s collection comprises books crafted by individual artists or art collectives in limited editions as well as mass-printed books sold commercially with accompanying bookcases and boxes. Many items in the Harner collection are unique or known in only a few copies.

This exhibition is on display in the Founders' Room, which is accessible only by docent tour. These free tours do not require advance registration and are offered Monday through Saturday at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, and on Sunday at noon and 3pm.


Meet the Curator

Melissa Cook has served as the Acquisitions Librarian at the Folger Shakespeare Library since 1994. As Head of Acquisitions, she is the main contact for gift offers of books, art, and manuscripts. Cook enjoys meeting with donors and learning about their collections, though she keeps her personal collection to less than ten books. This is supplemented by buying books for other people and visiting the excellent public library near her home.

Cook manages the Folger's annual Acquisitions Night. Participants are encouraged to explore new additions to the Folger collection and may have the opportunity to adopt materials for their preservation and conservation.


April 3 - June 30, 2019

  • Snapped travelling leather case and bindings (F 270498)
  • Huet collection very miniature set in Rosewood case (F 270410)
  • Rotating mahogany bookcase (F 270399)