Special Collections Notable Acquisitions 2024-2025
Two volumes of the Woman’s Bible by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Rare Book and Printed Materials Collection, Special Collections Research Center
The Woman’s Bible by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, New York: European Publishing Company, 1898
Purchased with the J & M H Hart Charitable Fund and the Special Collections Research Center Collection Fund
This new acquisition is comprised of two volumes of rare early printings of The Woman’s Bible inscribed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton (b. 1815-d. 1902), American suffragist, leader in the women’s rights movement and founder of the National Woman Suffrage Association. Stanton aimed to create a critique of the Bible which demonstrated the Christian religion’s oppression of women. In part I on page 11, Stanton writes, “I proposed to a committee of women to issue a Woman’s Bible, that we might have women’s commentaries on women’s position in the Old and New Testaments.” To accomplish this, Stanton chaired an evolving committee which included suffragists such as Matilda Joslyn Gage, Ellen Battelle Dietrick, and more, resulting in two published volumes on the Pentateuch in part I (third edition) as well as on Judges, Kings, Prophets, and the New Testament in Part II (first edition). SCRC’s parts are both presentation copies, inscribed by Stanton.
Orosius, Historiae adversum paganos, [Switzerland], circa 1440
Purchased with the Special Collections Research Center Collection Fund
The Seven Books of History Against the Pagans by Paulus Orosius (fl. c. 380-420 C.E.) laid the foundation for Christian interpretations of universal history and Christian historiography, presenting a moralistic narrative of universal history, which contrasts the pasts of Greece, Rome, and Persia with the Christian present. Orosius’ approach to historiography resonated through to the nineteenth century, when the German historian Leopold von Ranke introduced the concept of “scientific” history in an effort to move away from philosophical and moralistic interpretations of the past. Often called “the father of modern history,” von Ranke collected materials pertaining to Italian Renaissance. His collection is foundational to Syracuse University Libraries’ special collections.
Complete medieval copies of the manuscript are exceedingly rare. Syracuse University is one of only two institutions in the U.S. to have a copy within their collections.
Medieval-style miniature by the Spanish Forger, depicting a scene at the court of Charles VII (1403-1461) and Marie d'Anjou (1404-1468). Paris, circa 1900. Rare Book and Printed Materials Collection, Special Collections Research Center
Miniature by the Spanish Forger, Paris, circa 1900
Purchased with the Special Collections Research Center Collection Fund
The “Spanish Forger” was a miniaturist active in Paris at the end of the nineteenth century, who specialized in painting medieval-style miniatures on cuttings from original late medieval liturgical manuscripts. Belle da Costa Greene, personal librarian to J. P. Morgan and the first director of the Morgan Library, identified the works as fakes in the 1930s. Since then, these pieces have been collected as notable examples of medieval-style forgeries, reflecting the fascination with medieval manuscripts during that era. Our new acquisition has all the hallmarks of the style of the Spanish Forger, including unusually low cleavages and head tilts, as well as gold overlap.
Josua Scharff, [Trade catalog], Frankfurt am Main, J. Scharff, [1747]
Purchased with the Special Collections Research Center Collection Fund
The Scharff family specialized in manufacturing metal tools in Frankfurt am Main and Remscheid during the eighteenth century. This trade catalog, featuring seventy-three drawings depicting nearly two hundred items, was prepared by Josua Sharff for his first sales trip in June 1747 and remained in use by the family for thirty years. The catalog illustrates a variety of items, including locks, handsaws, chisels, wrenches, door handles, fire strikers, and more. Since trade catalogs of this period were often written and illustrated by hand, surviving examples are extremely rare. This manuscript offers a unique insight into the history of pre-mechanized craftmanship and advertisement, making it a valuable complement to the Special Collections Research Center’s holdings in industrial design.
Greenberg House Records – addition, 10.5 linear feet
Transfer from Greenberg House
Opened in 1988, Greenberg House served as Syracuse University’s home in Washington, D.C. until being sold in 2020. The space hosted academic, alumni, and admissions programs and events. This significant addition to the Greenberg House Records comprises photographs, media, guest books, and office files documenting many of the events held at the center. Of particular note are images from the popular Sports Night gatherings and golf tournaments, new student welcome events, and guest speaker series held over the years. These materials document the vibrant community of Syracuse University students and alumni in the D.C. area.
1957 Syracuse University commencement program. Frances Socci Dulcich Papers, University Archives, Special Collections Research Center
Frances Socci Dulcich Papers
Gift of Frances Socci Dulcich ‘69
The Dulcich Papers consist of two items: a 1957 Syracuse University commencement program signed by John F. Kennedy and Ms. Dulcich’s written account of her encounter with him. She wrote, “I was 10 years old when my sister, Mary Lou, graduated from SU. JFK was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the ceremony. As my family and I were walking across the quad to Archbold Stadium, we noticed Senator and Mrs. Kennedy walking ahead of us! At my family’s urging, I ran up to the Senator and asked for his autograph. He graciously took the time to stop and sign my program….I’m proud to be Orange and to return this to its rightful home!” Kennedy was a junior senator from Massachusetts at the time, but he was already being considered as a 1960 presidential hopeful. He spoke to a crowd of about 6,000 at Archbold Stadium and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Chancellor William P. Tolley. The Dulcich Papers help document this day in Syracuse University history.