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Cole (George Watson) papers
HIA 30.1
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: George Watson Cole papers
Identifier/Call Number: HIA 30.1
Physical Description:
.83 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1913-1929, 1991, 1999
Abstract: The collection is comprised primarily
of Mr. Cole's notes on a variety of tasks performed as the librarian of the Huntington
Library. Mr. Cole's notes include lists of the library's holdings and provide an
understanding of the way the Huntington pursued acquisitions in the early years of the
institution.
Language of Material: The records are in
English.
Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader
Services Department. For more information, please go to the following
web site .
In order to quote from, publish, or reproduce any of the manuscripts or visual materials,
researchers must obtain formal permission from the office of the Library Director. In most
instances, permission is given by the Huntington as owner of the physical property rights
only, and researchers must also obtain permission from the holder of the literary rights. In
some instances, the Huntington owns the literary rights, as well as the physical property
rights. Researchers may contact the appropriate curator for further information.
[Identification of Item], George Watson Cole Papers, Huntington Institutional Archives, The
Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
George Watson Cole (1850-1939) was the first librarian of the Huntington Library, from 1915
until his retirement in 1924. In 1915, the Henry E. Huntington Library was formally
established in New York City, and in 1920 the collection was moved to its current location
in San Marino, California. George Watson Cole was asked to help in the library's
organization and staffing, and to become its first librarian and bibliographer, coming out
of retirement to take the position at the age of 65. Before he retired Mr. Cole wrote a
lengthy report in which he described the Library collections as they had been in 1915, the
acquisitions made between 1915 and 1924, and the holdings as they were in 1924. Mr. Cole is
well known for his writings on bibliography and libraries, and for his expertise in rare
books and manuscripts.
These are likely Mr. Cole's personal notes about the Huntington collections, comprised of
lists of a variety of holdings of the library, and acquisitions made by the Huntington
between 1915 and 1924. It includes Mr. Cole's notes regarding variations within different
printings of various texts (for example, differences in two copies of Bacon's "Wisdom of the
Ancients" both from the same year, with different typeset), as well as listings of famous
first editions, incunabula, Shakespeare quartos, and historical papers in the Huntington
collection; lists of holdings in other libraries; lists of items sent to galleries,
exhibits, or for exchange or sale; physical descriptions and comparisons of texts;
biographical histories of certain authors; and lists of things not in the Huntington's
collection. Additionally, it also includes some material on bibliography, and a cataloging
guide from 1920 of HEHL cataloging practice. Most of the material is undated.
Arrangement is alphabetical by document title.
Former call number: HIA 30.1.1-30.1.2.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
Rare books.
San Marino (Calif.)
Files (Document Groupings)
Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery