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Personal letters written by Phoenix to friends and associates, and letters which Phoenix collected as autograph specimens, ranging in date from 1554 (Melanchthon) to 1933 (Franklin D. Roosevelt). Over half of Phoenix's own letters are addressed to Josiah Collins Pumpelly (1839-1920), many others are to Henry Thayer Drowne (1822-1897). The material is dated from various places in the United States and Europe and contains accounts of Phoenix's travels and comments on yachting, books, the theater, and friends. There is a series of Presidential letters ranging from Washington to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Also, an engraved portrait of Phoenix.

Correspondence and manuscripts of Westervelt. Much of the correspondence relates to the production of his own plays. Also, letters from famous actors including William Charles Macready, Augustin Daly, and Charles Kemble; typescript manuscripts of Westervelt's plays, among them "By Right of Sword" and "Rally Round the Flag;" and contracts, photographs, and printed materials.

Correspondence from and to Wise. Many of the letters are from Sir John Murray and his son, John Grey Murray. Proofs and other material relating to Wise's A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE WRITINGS IN VERSE AND PROSE OF GEORGE GORDON NOEL, BARON BYRON are included.

This material is chiefly letters concerning the acquisition of books on photography, book lists, dealers' bills, and correspondence relating to Mr. Epstean's gifts of photographic books, etc. to Columbia University and the Library of Congress. There are five boxes of pictures (photographic portraits) of Epstean and other individuals. Also, the typescript of Epstean's translation of Josef Eder's HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY and the galley proofs with Epstean's handwritten corrections; and three loose leaf binders containing reprints and typescripts of articles and speeches by Epstean, and letters of congratulation to him on his receiving several awards.

Correspondence and catalogs of Seven Gables Bookshop, and some early letters from Collector's Bookshop and Papantonio's Bookshop. There are many letters in the collection from major universities and colleges and from famous collectors such as C. Waller Barrett, Thomas W. Streeter, Jacob Blanck, and Josiah K. Lilley. Also, miscellaneous correspondence and notes of John Kohn.