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Ellen K. Shaffer papers, 1905-1993.
Collection Number:
Collection Overview

Title:

Ellen K. Shaffer papers, 1905-1993

Creator/Contributor:

Shaffer, Ellen, 1904-1994, creator

Creator/Contributor:

Dawson's Book Shop

Creator/Contributor:

Silverado Museum

Creator/Contributor:

Free Library of Philadelphia

Abstract:

The Ellen K. Shaffer papers portray a chronology of Shaffer's life from her early childhood in Leadville, Colorado; college years in California; employment with Dawson's Book Shop; service in the Women's Air Corps; librarian position at the Free Library of Philadelphia; teaching assignments; published works; and as curator of the Silverado Museum in St. Helena, California. Of particular note are her numerous, descriptive letters sent to her family and Dawson's staff while traveling and during her military service. The collection includes documents, certificates, correspondence, writings, and photographs of Shaffer, her family, high school classmates, colleagues, and friends.

Date:

1905 (issued)

Subject:

n-us---
Women librarians -- United States
Booksellers and bookselling -- United States
Femmes bibliothécaires -- États-Unis
Booksellers and bookselling
Women librarians
United States
Shaffer, Ellen -- 1904-1994 -- Archives
Shaffer, Ellen -- 1904-1994

Note:

Collection processed at folder level in 2008.
Gift; Of Estate of Ellen Shaffer via Liz Baer; 2007.
Ellen Kate Shaffer was born on April 24, 1904 in the small mining town of Leadville, Colorado. Upon completing high school, she moved with her family to California. After attending library school and graduating from the University of California at Los Angeles, she worked as an antiquarian bookseller and buyer at Dawson's Book Shop for a period of twenty-five years, with two breaks. In 1944 to 1945, she joined the Women's Air Corps and served in Dutch New Guinea and the Philippines. Then in 1951, she spent eight months at the Mexico City College to study Spanish literature. From 1954 to 1970, Shaffer held the position of rare book librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia, then moved to St. Helena, California to become the curator of the Silverado Museum.
Prefered citation: Ellen K. Shaffer papers, BANC MSS 2008/255, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
In English.

Type:

Archives.

Physical Description:

print
2 cartons, 1 oversize folder (2.6 linear feet)

Language:

English

Origin:

California