Rosenbach Museum: Difference between revisions
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'''The Rosenbach''' | '''The Rosenbach''' sits at 2008-2010 Delancey Place near [[Rittenhouse Square]] and houses one of the world's finest collections of rare books, manuscripts, and literary treasures. Nearly 400,000 objects fill its shelves. Among them: the handwritten manuscript of James Joyce's ''Ulysses'', Lewis Carroll's own copy of ''Alice in Wonderland'', and Bram Stoker's working notes for ''Dracula''. It's a museum and research library combined, built around one man's extraordinary eye for great literature. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
The | The museum opened in 1954 from the personal collection of Dr. Abraham Simon Wolf Rosenbach (1876-1952) and his brother Philip (1863-1953). Dr. Rosenbach was his era's preeminent rare book dealer. He acquired some of the most significant literary manuscripts that existed. His reputation was built on an almost uncanny ability to spot what mattered. | ||
The | The building itself comes from the 19th century. It's the townhouse where the Rosenbach brothers lived and ran their rare book business, situated near Rittenhouse Square. The interior's preserved just as it was in the early 20th century, giving visitors a sense of how a prosperous Philadelphia family actually lived during that era. | ||
In 2013, | In 2013, things changed. The Rosenbach became affiliated with the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, bringing together two of the world's most important collections of rare books and manuscripts under one organizational umbrella. | ||
== Collection Highlights == | == Collection Highlights == | ||
More than 130,000 manuscripts and 30,000 rare books make up the core holdings. But certain pieces stand apart. | |||
=== Literary Manuscripts === | === Literary Manuscripts === | ||
* '''James Joyce's ''Ulysses''''' — The handwritten manuscript | * '''James Joyce's ''Ulysses''''' — The handwritten manuscript itself, arguably the most important novel of the 20th century and a premier treasure of the collection. Dr. Rosenbach acquired a first edition in 1922. He smuggled it into the country when the book faced a ban. | ||
* '''Bram Stoker's notes for ''Dracula''''' — | * '''Bram Stoker's notes for ''Dracula''''' — Working papers for the gothic classic, showing the author's creative process | ||
* '''Lewis Carroll's ''Alice in Wonderland''''' — Carroll's own copy of the first edition | * '''Lewis Carroll's ''Alice in Wonderland''''' — Carroll's own copy of the first edition | ||
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* '''[https://biography.wiki/g/George_Washington George Washington]'s earliest extant letter''' — The first surviving letter written by the future president | * '''[https://biography.wiki/g/George_Washington George Washington]'s earliest extant letter''' — The first surviving letter written by the future president | ||
* '''[https://biography.wiki/b/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin]'s first ''Poor Richard's Almanack''''' — The only surviving copy | * '''[https://biography.wiki/b/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin]'s first ''Poor Richard's Almanack''''' — The only surviving copy exists here | ||
* '''Milton's ''Paradise Lost''''' — Tonson's assignment copy | * '''Milton's ''Paradise Lost''''' — Tonson's assignment copy | ||
* '''First edition of ''Don Quixote''''' — One of the earliest printings | * '''First edition of ''Don Quixote''''' — One of the earliest printings | ||
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=== Poetry Collections === | === Poetry Collections === | ||
The museum holds the most extensive collection of Robert Burns manuscripts anywhere. Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats are well represented. There's a celebrated love letter from Keats to Fanny Brawne, plus Thomas Gray's correspondence. | |||
=== Marianne Moore Collection === | === Marianne Moore Collection === | ||
Modernist poet Marianne Moore (1887-1972) has a special place here. The Rosenbach acquired virtually all of her manuscripts and correspondence. When she bequeathed her belongings to the institution, her Greenwich Village apartment living room was recreated as a permanent installation inside the museum. That gift earned the Rosenbach its designation as a National Literary Landmark. | |||
== Visiting == | == Visiting == | ||
This isn't a lending library. It's a museum, which means all visits require guided tours and advance tickets. You can't just drop by and browse the stacks. | |||
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Delancey Place is quiet and tree-lined, situated one block south of [[Rittenhouse Square]]. It's between 20th and 21st Streets. Getting there takes just a few minutes from Center City: | |||
* '''Walking''' — | * '''Walking''' — Just find the address on Delancey Place | ||
* '''SEPTA Subway''' — Walnut-Locust Station | * '''SEPTA Subway''' — Walnut-Locust Station on the Broad Street Line | ||
* '''SEPTA Bus''' — Routes 9, 12, 21, 42 | * '''SEPTA Bus''' — Routes 9, 12, 21, and 42 all serve the area | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
Latest revision as of 23:56, 23 April 2026
| Type | Rare books and manuscripts museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 2008-2010 Delancey Place |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Rittenhouse Square |
| Phone | (215) 732-1600 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1954 |
| Collection | 400,000 objects |
| Admission | Guided tours required; check website for pricing |
| Hours | Thu-Sat 10:30am-6pm, Sun 10:30am-4:30pm |
The Rosenbach sits at 2008-2010 Delancey Place near Rittenhouse Square and houses one of the world's finest collections of rare books, manuscripts, and literary treasures. Nearly 400,000 objects fill its shelves. Among them: the handwritten manuscript of James Joyce's Ulysses, Lewis Carroll's own copy of Alice in Wonderland, and Bram Stoker's working notes for Dracula. It's a museum and research library combined, built around one man's extraordinary eye for great literature.
History
The museum opened in 1954 from the personal collection of Dr. Abraham Simon Wolf Rosenbach (1876-1952) and his brother Philip (1863-1953). Dr. Rosenbach was his era's preeminent rare book dealer. He acquired some of the most significant literary manuscripts that existed. His reputation was built on an almost uncanny ability to spot what mattered.
The building itself comes from the 19th century. It's the townhouse where the Rosenbach brothers lived and ran their rare book business, situated near Rittenhouse Square. The interior's preserved just as it was in the early 20th century, giving visitors a sense of how a prosperous Philadelphia family actually lived during that era.
In 2013, things changed. The Rosenbach became affiliated with the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, bringing together two of the world's most important collections of rare books and manuscripts under one organizational umbrella.
Collection Highlights
More than 130,000 manuscripts and 30,000 rare books make up the core holdings. But certain pieces stand apart.
Literary Manuscripts
- James Joyce's Ulysses — The handwritten manuscript itself, arguably the most important novel of the 20th century and a premier treasure of the collection. Dr. Rosenbach acquired a first edition in 1922. He smuggled it into the country when the book faced a ban.
- Bram Stoker's notes for Dracula — Working papers for the gothic classic, showing the author's creative process
- 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 exists here
- Milton's Paradise Lost — Tonson's assignment copy
- First edition of Don Quixote — One of the earliest printings
Poetry Collections
The museum holds the most extensive collection of Robert Burns manuscripts anywhere. Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats are well represented. There's a celebrated love letter from Keats to Fanny Brawne, plus Thomas Gray's correspondence.
Marianne Moore Collection
Modernist poet Marianne Moore (1887-1972) has a special place here. The Rosenbach acquired virtually all of her manuscripts and correspondence. When she bequeathed her belongings to the institution, her Greenwich Village apartment living room was recreated as a permanent installation inside the museum. That gift earned the Rosenbach its designation as a National Literary Landmark.
Visiting
This isn't a lending library. It's a museum, which means all visits require guided tours and advance tickets. You can't just drop by and browse the stacks.
| 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
Delancey Place is quiet and tree-lined, situated one block south of Rittenhouse Square. It's between 20th and 21st Streets. Getting there takes just a few minutes from Center City:
- Walking — Just find the address on Delancey Place
- SEPTA Subway — Walnut-Locust Station on the Broad Street Line
- SEPTA Bus — Routes 9, 12, 21, and 42 all serve the area
See Also
References