The collection contains the original manuscript and illustrations for the popular children's book Maybelle the Cable Car written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton. Published in 1952, Maybelle the Cable Car tells the story of the 1947 fight to save the cable cars in San Francisco.

Virginia Lee Burton (1909-1968), also known by her married name Virginia Demetrios, was an artist, author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote and illustrated seven children's books, including The Little House (1943), which won the Caldecott Medal. She was born in Newton Centre, Massachusetts where she lived until she was about eight when her family moved to California, first to San Diego, then to Carmel-by-the-Sea the next year. When she was sixteen, she was sent to live in Sonora, California.

3 pamphlet boxes, 1 oversize folder (3 linear feet)

Original artwork and photographs are fragile and may not be photocopied.

Collection is open for research and is available for use during Book Arts & Special Collections hours.