Editing Rosenbach Museum

{{Infobox Museum
| name = The Rosenbach
| type = Rare books and manuscripts museum
| address = 2008-2010 Delancey Place
| neighborhood = Rittenhouse Square
| phone = (215) 732-1600
| website = https://www.rosenbach.org
| established = 1954
| collection_size = 400,000 objects
| admission = Guided tours required; check website for pricing
| hours = Thu-Sat 10:30am-6pm, Sun 10:30am-4:30pm
}}

'''The Rosenbach''' is a museum and research library at 2008-2010 Delancey Place near [[Rittenhouse Square]], housing one of the world's great collections of rare books, manuscripts, and literary treasures. The collection includes nearly 400,000 objects, with highlights including the manuscript of James Joyce's ''Ulysses'', Lewis Carroll's own copy of ''Alice in Wonderland'', and Bram Stoker's notes for ''Dracula''.

== History ==

The Rosenbach Museum was founded in 1954 from the personal collection of Dr. Abraham Simon Wolf Rosenbach (1876-1952) and his brother Philip (1863-1953). Dr. Rosenbach was the preeminent rare book dealer of his era, known for acquiring some of the most significant literary manuscripts in existence.

The museum occupies a 19th-century townhouse near Rittenhouse Square, where the Rosenbach brothers lived and conducted their rare book business. The building itself is part of the collection, preserved as an example of how a prosperous Philadelphia family lived in the early 20th century.

In 2013, the Rosenbach became affiliated with the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, uniting two of the world's preeminent collections of rare books and manuscripts.

== Collection Highlights ==

The Rosenbach holds more than 130,000 manuscripts and 30,000 rare books, including:

=== Literary Manuscripts ===

* '''James Joyce's ''Ulysses''''' — The handwritten manuscript of one of the 20th century's most important novels, considered a premier treasure. Dr. Rosenbach acquired a first edition in 1922, smuggled into the country when the book was banned.
* '''Bram Stoker's notes for ''Dracula''''' — The author's working papers for the gothic classic
* '''Lewis Carroll's ''Alice in Wonderland''''' — Carroll's own copy of the first edition

=== Historic Documents ===

* '''George Washington's earliest extant letter''' — The first surviving letter written by the future president
* '''Benjamin Franklin's first ''Poor Richard's Almanack''''' — The only surviving copy
* '''Milton's ''Paradise Lost''''' — Tonson's assignment copy
* '''First edition of ''Don Quixote''''' — One of the earliest printings

=== Poetry Collections ===

* The most extensive collection of Robert Burns manuscripts in existence
* Manuscripts of William Wordsworth, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats
* A celebrated love letter from Keats to Fanny Brawne
* Thomas Gray's letters

=== Marianne Moore Collection ===

The Rosenbach has a special relationship with modernist poet Marianne Moore (1887-1972). The museum acquired virtually all of her manuscripts and correspondence, and when she bequeathed her belongings to the institution, her Greenwich Village apartment living room was recreated as a permanent installation. This collection earned the Rosenbach designation as a National Literary Landmark.

== Visiting ==

The Rosenbach operates as a museum rather than a lending library. All visits require guided tours and advance tickets.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Detail !! Information
|-
| '''Hours''' || Thu-Sat 10:30am-6pm, Sun 10:30am-4:30pm
|-
| '''Admission''' || Ticketed guided tours; check website for current pricing
|-
| '''Address''' || 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103
|-
| '''Accessibility''' || Limited; historic townhouse with stairs
|}

== Getting There ==

{{Location map
| address = 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103
}}

The Rosenbach is located on the quiet, tree-lined Delancey Place, one block south of [[Rittenhouse Square]]:

* '''Walking''' — Between 20th and 21st Streets on Delancey Place
* '''SEPTA Subway''' — Walnut-Locust Station (Broad Street Line)
* '''SEPTA Bus''' — Routes 9, 12, 21, 42

== See Also ==

* [[Rittenhouse Square]]
* [[Free Library of Philadelphia]]
* [[Literary Landmarks of Philadelphia]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://www.rosenbach.org Official Website]
* [https://www.rosenbach.org/collections/ Collection Highlights]
* [https://www.rosenbach.org/visit/ Plan Your Visit]

{{#seo:
|title=The Rosenbach - Rare Books and Manuscripts Museum in Philadelphia
|description=The Rosenbach museum near Rittenhouse Square houses 400,000 rare books and manuscripts including James Joyce's Ulysses manuscript, Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, and Bram Stoker's Dracula notes.
|keywords=Rosenbach Museum, rare books Philadelphia, James Joyce Ulysses manuscript, literary museum Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square museums
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:Libraries]]
[[Category:Rittenhouse Square]]
[[Category:Center City]]
[[Category:Literary Landmarks]]