Adolph Oko collection of Spinoza materials, 1610-1958, bulk 1914-1958

Creator:: Oko, Adolph S (Adolph Sigmund), 1883-1944 and Gebhardt, Carl, 1881-1934
Abstract:: The Adolph Oko collection of Spinoza materials contains correspondence surrounding the Domus Spinoza and Spinoza-related findings. Also included are Oko's personal notes on Spinoza, his collected Spinoza ephemera, and Spinoza-related clippings, as well as some of Oko's personal photographs, primarily of himself and Dr. Carl Gebhardt. It also contains the card files belonging to Oko, Gebhardt, and the Spinoza Bibliography.
Extent:: 14 linear feet 16 manuscript boxes (boxes 1-16), 6 record storage cartons (boxes 17-22)
Language:: English , German , Dutch; Flemish , Hebrew .
Scope and content:: Collection consisting of correspondence, handwritten notes, ephemera, photographs, clipping, card files, and bookplates all relating to Spinoza and/or Oko's involvement with Spinoza related activities and acquisitions.
Biographical / historical:: Adolph S. Oko (1883-1944) was a librarian at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. A Baruch Spinoza aficionado, Oko founded the Societas Spinozana and was a trustee of the Domus Spinoza in The Hague, Holland. Oko's Spinoza scholarship culminated in his Spinoza Bibliography (1964).

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Oko, Mrs. Adolph S. via Simon Milner, Mrs. Thomas Lamont, Corliss Lamont, and Christian Zabriskie. Method of acquisition--Purchase, Gift; Date of acquisition--1947. Accession number--M-47.

Custodial history:

Gift of Simon Milner, Mrs Thomas Lamont, Corliss Lamont, and Christian Zabriskie, 1947. Donation of 1 envelope with 7 negatives and 7 positives, 3 copies of articles, 2 copies of expertise, 3 photographs, 1 x-ray negative by Mr. Richard Roaner (1955). Donation of 11 framed pictures of Spinoza and Spinoza scholars, death mask; by Mrs. Annette Oko (1971)

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/1989.

This collection was processed by Yoav Varadi, Columbia GS 2020, Marianna Najman-Franks, Barnard 2022, Jem Hanan, Barnard 2027. Finding aid written by Jem Hanan in November 2023.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in six series.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

The Spinoza bibliography / compiled by Adolph S. Oko (Boston : G.K. Hall, 1964.) https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/2036205

Adolph S. Oko Papers, Manuscript Collection No. 14, American Jewish Archives https://collections.americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ms0014/ms0014.html

Baruch Spinoza Book Collection. This collection of 3,933 volumes is formed from the union of the Spinoza collections of Adolph S. Oko and Carl Gebhardt, and contains material by and about Baruch Spinoza. Purchased and presented to the University by Dr. Simon L. Millner, Mrs. T.W. Lamont, Corliss Lamont, and Mr. E.A. Zabriskie, 1947. Books can be found by searching SPINOZA under Call Number in CLIO.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Adolph Oko collection of Spinoza materials; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection