Guide to the Sutro Library collection of Stanley S. Slotkin book leaves
Finding Aid Authors: Thai-Van Stanoff and Sutro Library Staff.
© Copyright 2024 Sutro Library, California State Library. All rights reserved.
2024-03-11
1630 Holloway Avenue
5th floor
San Francisco, CA, 94132-4030
URL: http://www.library.ca.gov/about/sutro_main.html
Email: sutro@library.ca.gov
Phone: 415-469-6100
Guide to the Sutro Library collection of Stanley S. Slotkin book leaves
Sutro Library, California State Library
Overview of the Collection
Collection Title: Sutro Library collection of Stanley S. Slotkin book leaves
Dates: 1582-1860 A.D.
Identification: M000089
Physical Description: 34.00
Language of Materials:
English
Hebrew
German
Latin
Spanish;Castilian
French
Arabic
Italian
Repository:
Sutro Library, California State Library
1630 Holloway Avenue
5th floor
San Francisco, CA, 94132-4030
URL: http://www.library.ca.gov/about/sutro_main.html
Email: sutro@library.ca.gov
Phone: 415-469-6100
Administrative History:
Stanley Slotkin, founder of the national chain Abbey Rents, Inc., which offers items for rent, was an amateur archeologist,
book collector, and philanthropist. Born in New York City to Russian immigrants, he was raised in Kansas City, Missouri and
moved to Los Angeles in the 1930s. He donated a large collection related to Charles Darwin to the University of Southern California.
He and his wife founded Abbey Rents in 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri.
He died in Beverly Hills in 1997.
Slotkin traveled around the world to collect facsimiles of title pages of rare books to which he attached pages from the actual
work. He also annotated the specimens in English in order to explain their contents and significance.
Administrative Information
Custodial History:
Each item was encapsulated in mylar and matted in acidic housing. Sutro Library staff disposed of the matting and housed the
encapsulated items in archival folders and housed the collection in an archival flat box.
Processing Information:
Each item was encapsulated in mylar and matted in acidic housing. Sutro Library staff disposed of the matting and housed the
encapsulated items in archival folders and housed the collection in an archival flat box.
Index created by student assistant Thai-Van Stanoff in Winter 2024.
Conditions Governing Use:
Property rights reside with the repository. Any applicable literary rights would reside with the creators of the documents
or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please email: sutro@library.ca.gov .
Conditions Governing Access:
This collection is open for research. Please page materials three business days in advance of your visit by email: sutro@library.ca.gov
.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of item], Sutro Library collection of Stanley S. Slotkin book leaves, 1582-1860, M000089, Sutro Library, California
State Library, San Francisco, Calif.
Arrangement of Materials:
This collection is arranged into one series with two sub-series. Each series is arranged chronologically:
Series 1: Slotkin book leaves, 1582-1860
Sub-series 1: Unframed Slotkin book leaves, 1582-1860 [32 items]
Sub-series 2: Framed Slotkin book leaves, 1609-1705 [2 items]
Scope and Contents
This collection includes book leaves and facsimiles of title pages from rare books collected by Stanley S. Slotkin. Most of
the leaves are from religious texts and are written in a variety of languages including Old English, Hebrew, German, Latin,
Greek, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Italian.
Series 1: Slotkin book leaves
1582-1860
Scope and Contents
This series consists of book leaves and facsimiles of title pages from rare books collected by Stanley S. Slotkin. There are
framed and unframed leaves. The leaves are written in a variety of languages including Latin, Greek, Arabic, French, Hebrew,
Spanish, and English.
Subseries 1: Unframed Slotkin book leaves
1582-1860
Physical Description:
Extent: 32 items
Scope and Contents
This sub-series consists of unframed Slotkin book leaves.
Box 1, Folder 1
Leaf from the Bible
1582 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Old English pp. 85-86 "This Bible was found in Oxford, England, by Stanley S. Slotkin in 1954. The Old English is
quaint and certainly different from our English today. What will it be in 2268? Christopher Barker was the most prolific printer
of his time, commissioned by the Queen. He turned out huge quantities of Bibles. This copy is the same as the Breeches Bible
with the corrections made." "From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles. Founder of Abbey Rents."
Box 1, Folder 2
Leaf from a Latin translation of the Old and New Testament
1593 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 101-102 "This book was found in Vienna in 1952 by Stanley S. Slotkin, Founder of Abbey Rents. The Title
Page was restored in the best possible fashion." "This Old and New Testament was printed in London and is a perfect translation
from Hebrew to Latin. From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles. Founder of Abbey Rents."
Box 1, Folder 3
Leaf from a Latin Bible
1600 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin "Original page from a Latin Bible, From the library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Chairman of the Board, Abbey Rents.
This Original Page Is Made of Rags and Can Be Washed and Starched; the Ink Will Not Run."
Box 1, Folder 4
Leaf from a French Bible
1604 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: French pp. 127-128 "French Bible, Old and New Testament. Printed in Brussels." "This French Bible was used in the
Catholic churches of France during a period when the church and the state had many problems. The Printer, Eugene-Henry Frick,
lived in Brussels. From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles--Founder of Abbey Rents."
Box 1, Folder 5
Leaf from a religious Greek book with Latin interpretation
1610 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Greek and Latin pp. 221-322 [misprint?] "Purchased in Nazareth, Israel, in 1950, along with a collection of Religious
books. From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert and Betty Wile." "A RELIGIOUS GREEK BOOK WITH LATIN
INTERPRETATION"
Box 1, Folder 6
Leaf from [unknown]
1628 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin "Printed in Venice. Title Page has been restored. From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of
Herbert and Betty Wile." "Beginning with the Ten Commandments, Ecclesiastical law finally developed into our civil laws. This
book answers many questions, arguments and interpretations of important legal problems before 1700."
Box 1, Folder 7
Leaf from [unknown]
1657 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Languages: Latin and Greek "From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles, Founder of Abbey Rents." "This book
of religious works in Latin and Greek was found in Greece by Stanley S. Slotkin. It contains many observations, dissertations
and commentaries and is worthwhile studying."
Box 1, Folder 8
Leaf from a book by Michael Ettmueller
1660 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 43-44 "Found in Rome, Italy by Stanley S. Slotkin. From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los
Angeles, Founder of Abbey Rents." "Doctor Professor Michael Ettmueller, was a distinguished philosopher and medical doctor
during the period of the middle sixteen hundreds. His specialty was pathology and he was a follower of Galen."
Box 1, Folder 9
Leaf from a Vulgate
1671 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin and German pp. 69-70 "Latin and German. Text and some leaves have Syriac column. From the Biblical Library
of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles, Founder of Abbey Rents." "The Vulgate translation is a Catholic interpretation of the
Old and New Testament with many observations and commentaries. Found in Jerusalem by Stanley S. Slotkin."
Box 1, Folder 10
Leaf from
Historia di Leopoldo Cesare
1674 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Italian pp. 573-574 "When translating this Italian book printed in 1674 in Vienna, Austria, we learn that Secular
History was beginning to be studied. The plate on the Title Page shows children playing the part of soldiers. Can this suggest
that the culture of that time was changing?" "From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert and Betty Wile."
Box 1, Folder 11
Leaf from a Roman Missale
1677 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. xxiii-xxiv "Found in Nazareth by Stanley S. Slotkin, Chairman of the Board, Abbey Rents"
Box 1, Folder 12
Leaf from a Roman Missale
1677 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 351-352 "Found in Nazareth by Stanley S. Slotkin, Chairman of the Board, Abbey Rents."
Box 1, Folder 13
Leaf from a Latin Bible commentary book
1678 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 683-684 "Printed in Frankfurt, Germany. From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert
and Betty Wile." "To fully understand religion and the Bible it is wise to read the commentaries. The observations and remarks
of men who lived long ago when they had time to think, in an era that permitted the student to concentrate, may have had an
affect on the opinions of today. There are many explanations, memoirs, historical narratives and personal experiences in this
book."
Box 1, Folder 14
Leaf from an early printing of ecclesiastical law
1678 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 53-54 "This book was found in Vienna in 1952 by Stanley S. Slotkin. The Title Page was restored in the
best possible fashion. The printing was done in Leipzig and Frankfurt, Germany." "This is an early printing of ecclesiastical
law - questions - answers and arguments and interpretations of important legal problems before 1700. From the Biblical Library
of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles Founder of Abbey Rents."
Box 1, Folder 15
Leaf from
The Works Of the Reverend and Learned John Lightfoot D.D.
1684 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: English "Printed in London, England. From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles, Founder of Abbey
Rents." "Reverend John Lightfoot was a very prolific writer and this is one of his many works. He wrote on all ecclesiastical
subjects, as you can see by the Title Page. He also had considerable ego; he even tried his hand at drawing maps."
Box 1, Folder 16
Leaves from a book by Dr. Johannis Schroeder
1693 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: German pp. 243 and 302 Includes two leaves. "From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin. Founder of Abbey Rents.
A division of Consolidated Foods." "Dr. Johannis Schroeder was an associate of Dr. Frederick Hoffmann, whose books on the
heart and geriatrics are famous and important even in medicine today. In this book Dr. Schroeder also uses the works of 16
different doctors who were prolific writers before 1700. These volumes have information on pharmaceutical drugs, plants, nature,
air and ecology."
Box 1, Folder 17
Leaf from a book pertaining to Thomas Aquinas
1695 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 635-636 "Printed in Antwerp. From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles, Founder of
Abbey Rents." "THOMAS AQUINAS was a Dominican monk who lived in Italy in the Thirteenth Century. Educated under Albert the
Great, Aquinas spent his adult life creating a comprehensive system of philosophy, theology and logic that has become the
foundation in history for man's intellectual and religious life. He is the most read Catholic scholar and probably wrote more
books than any other Catholic."
Box 1, Folder 18
Leaf from a German Catholic Bible
1701 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: German pp. 5-6 "A Catholic Bible Printed in Strasburg, Germany. Found in Nazareth by Stanley S. Slotkin, Chairman
of the Board, Abbey Rents. This Original Page Is Made of Rags and Can be Washed and Starched; the Ink Will Not Run."
Box 1, Folder 19
Leaf from a volume written by A. Lapide
1725 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 117-118 "The many volumes written by A. Lapide, cover various subjects of the church including Scriptures,
law, Prophets, and the old testament. Lapide spent his adult life writing his interpretations and his comments were important
to the members of his order as well as to the clergy all over the world. These books were found in Edinburgh, in 1955. From
the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert and Betty Wile."
Box 1, Folder 20
Leaf from a Bible commentary book
1734 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin and Greek pp. 381-382 "From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert and Betty Wile." "Commentary
on the Bible. This is a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or part of the Scriptures. It covers many different
subjects in the Old and New Testaments and many years of concentrated thought were used to finally produce this volume."
Box 1, Folder 21
Leaf from a book by Mr. Pierre Bayle
1737 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: French pp. 631-632 "Found in Paris, France in 1948. From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert
and Betty Wile." "Professor Mr. Pierre Bayle was the author of many books that were translated into many languages. This is
in his original French and he discusses theology and philosophy. The book refers to the Church frequently. It was written
for those who could afford to own a beautiful volume. The world famous sculptor and engraver who did the cover plate on the
title page was 'B. Picart.' He did all the plates for the famous 'Religious Ceremonies,' consisting of seven huge volumes;
every other page had two engraved plates."
Box 1, Folder 22
Leaf from
A Compleat History of the Holy Bible [Vol. II]
1740 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: English pp. 31-32 "These volumes are a compilation of many authors, Stackhouse, Howell Prideaux, Lancelot Andrews,
Robert Keith, Pawlet, Palmer, Stillingfleet, Ashley and Clark. The contents include the Old and New Testament plus just about
all the Religious information available up to 1740. From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert and Betty
Wile." "This very interesting English Religious work combines the labors and thoughts of England's most distinguished Religious
authors. The History of the Church in England is one of conflict and problems. It is worth while studying each page of these
books, which were found in Oxford, England."
Box 1, Folder 23
Leaf from a book by Fredrick Hoffman
1748 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 175-176 "MEDICAL BOOK BY FREDRICK HOFFMAN, Born 1660 - Died 1743. Printed in Geneva. His face is in the
medallion above. From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles, Founder of Abbey Rents." "Dr. Fredrick Hoffman
was a prolific writer; he wrote this comprehensive book covering almost the whole field of medicine. Dr. Hoffman was also
a professor and this book is devoted to the doctrines and principles of medicine, with clinical observations. He was particularly
interested in the study of the Thymus--he covered from Pathology to the virtue of the milk of an ass."
Box 1, Folder 24
Leaf from [unknown]
1750 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 297-298 "Printed in Ausburg and Innsbruck, Austria. From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los
Angeles, Founder of Abbey Rents." "A collection of critical religious explanations 'from outstanding authors, from various
figures of sacred script, from statements of most holy fathers, from moral doctrines, comparisons and most exquisite histories,
industriously brought together.'"
Box 1, Folder 25
Leaf from a book by H. Tournely
1752 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 129-130 "This Page has been restored. It was printed in Cologne, Germany. Found in London, in 1948, by
Stanley S. Slotkin, Founder of Abbey Rents." "To study the theology of the Bible is almost as important as the study of the
Bible itself. Great scholars digest every word and present their comments and interpretations. This book was written by H.
Tournely, a famous theologist. Research was done by many associates and scholars. It is a study of God and the relations between
God and the universe and the study of religious doctrines and all matters of Divinity."
Box 1, Folder 26
Leaf from a book pertaining to German religious work
1764 A.D
Scope and Contents
Language: German pp. 327-328 "From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles, Founder of Abbey Rents" "This
book was bought in 1966 in Budapest, Hungary from the Kultura Section of the Government by Stanaley S. Slotkin, founder of
Abbey Rents. It was probably removed from a religious organization before 1950 and was stored together with thousands of books
in the basement of an Army barracks. From the signature stamp at the top of the Title Page, it probably belonged to a Convent."
Box 1, Folder 27
Leaf from a book written by Laurentius Berti
1769 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin "Dr. Mr. Laurentius Berti, Florentinus Academy of Pisana. Book was found in Rome in 1952. From the Library
of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert and Betty Wile." "To Study the History of the Bible is almost as important
as the text. Great scholars digest every word and present their philosophy and interpreation [printed misspelling]. This book
was written by Laurentius Berti, a famous theologist and professor of history.
Box 1, Folder 28
Leaf from [unknown]
1769 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 725-726 "This book was found in Rome in 1956. From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of
Herbert and Betty Wile." "To understand the Bible, it is necessary to study the history of religion as well as the Church
structure. This book covers many problems as well as the expulsion of Martin Luther. From the Title Page, you can comprehend
the many subjects the author, a Doctor of Theology, felt he must cover in this book."
Box 1, Folder 29
Leaf from a book written by Andres Lopez Guerrero
1790 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Spanish pp. 649-650 "This Spanish book of the life of ancient and modern Saints was written by Andres Lopez Guerrero,
a Castillian who collaborated with Father Pedro de Ribadeneyra (de la companio de Jesus of Toledo). It is divided into four
(4) parts with provisions for dedicating each day to the recognition of a different Saint. This book was once in the Monastery
of the Compania de Jesus, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Found in Mallaga, Spain 1958." "From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith
in Memory of Herbert and Betty Wile"
Box 1, Folder 30
Leaf from a book pertaining to John the Baptist
1794 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Latin pp. 465-466 "Printed in Antwerp From the Library of Harold and Diane Keith in Memory of Herbert and Betty
Wile." "JOHN THE BAPTIST went as a young man into the desert and lived many years as a hermit. He then spent months travelling
through Judea, about the year 29 A.D., preaching to the Jews that the Son of God was about to appear among them. He pointed
out Jesus Christ to them and his disciples left him to follow Jesus. John was later arrested and beheaded for condemning the
sins of the king. Many books have been written about this famous man of history."
Box 1, Folder 31
Leaf from the Holy Bible
1796 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: English Page from "Chap. x." "From the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin, Los Angeles, Founder of Abbey Rents." "This
early American Bible, printed in Philadelphia, was actually copied from an English Bible printed in 1775 by his Majesty's
Printers, Charles Eyre and William Strahan. Found in London, 1954, by Stanley S. Slotkin."
Box 1, Folder 32
Leaf from a hand-lettered book in Arabic
1277 A.H. [1860 A.D.]
Scope and Contents
Language: Arabic "Contents of the Book Written by El Sharkaway Aly El Tahrir (God Bless him in his Tomb). The Writing of this
blessed copy was finished on Monday, Tha El keeda Elharam the year 1277 by Ahmed Ben Mohammed Sabee Al Aidi who belongs to
the Shaafi belief, God forgive him, his parents or the owner of this book, the reader, the writer and any person who prays
for him and for all Moslems. Blessings of God on our Prophet Mohammed, his family and his people. Amen." "This book deals
with the principles of Islam as interpreted by the Shaafi belief. It deals with any questions that might confront a Moslem
person in regards to BIRTH, COURTSHIP, MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, DEATH according to the Shaafi belief; moreover it discusses all
principles of Islam religion: FASTING, PRAYING, ZAAKA (giving money to the poor), HEJAH (visiting Mecca). Found in Egypt by
Stanley S. Slotkin, Chairman of the Board of Abbey Rents Co."
Subseries 2: Framed Slotkin book leaves
1609-1705
Physical Description:
Extent: 2 items
Scope and Contents
This sub-series consists of two framed Slotkin book leaves which can be found hanging in the Sutro Library reading room.
Box a, Item 33
Leaf from a Hebrew Bible
1609 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: Hebrew pp. 975 "The writing on the title leaf identifies this book as being from the Hebrew Bible, 5369 Hebrew Calendar.
Printed in Basel, Switzerland, 1609 A.D." "Found in Jerusalem by Stanley S. Slotkin, Founder of Abbey Rents"
Box a, Item 34
Leaf from the Holy Bible
1705 A.D.
Scope and Contents
Language: English pp. 175 "A Bible that covers all subjects of religious works, and was used by most Scotch families about
1725." "Found in Scotland by Stanley S. Slotkin Founder of Abbey Rents Co."