Special Collections at Detroit Public Library, Sept. 24
The Detroit Public Library is home to five special collections of books and other materials: The Burton Historical Collection (Michigan/Old Northwest/Canada/New France history); the E. Azalia Hackley Collection (African-Americans in the performing arts); Ernie Harwell Sports Collection (history of baseball and other sports); National Automotive History Collection; and the Rare Book Collection (including first editions, illuminated manuscripts, and incunabula).
On Saturday, Sept. 21, Special Collections Coordinator Mark Bowden welcomed the Book Club of Detroit to DPL and showed us some of the treasures of DPL’s special collections, ranging from an ancient Sumerian clay cone to a Motown advertising display! Other highlights included a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible (1454), George Washington’s diary (Oct. 1789 - March 1790), a collection of U.S. Presidents’ letters, a 1957 photo of Elvis with women officers of the Detroit Police Department, and De Humani Corporis Fabrica (1543), thought to be the first textbook of modern medicine.
Mark Bowden displays a 15th-century Book of Hours.
A wampum belt used in the purchase of Belle Isle in 1769.
George Washington’s diary.
The oldest item in DPL’s special collections, a Sumerian clay cone with cuneiform text (ca. 2100 BC).
From the Burton Collection, the autobiography of Henry Bibb, who escaped from slavery and lived in Detroit before settling in Canada. He also founded a newspaper to advocate for the end of slavery.
Mark Bowden displays a 1957 photo of Elvis Presley, accompanied by women officers of the Detroit Police Department. Elvis was in town to give two shows at Olympia Stadium.