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Records on Robert B. Honeyman Gifts to Lehigh University Library

 Collection
Identifier: SC MS 0116

Scope and Contents

Records on Robert B. Honeyman Gifts to Lehigh University Library (1924-1978) contain items relating to Honeyman’s collection of rare books and manuscripts and his gift of part of that collection to his alma mater Lehigh University. These records include correspondence, primarily with Lehigh librarians Howard Seavoy Leach and James D. Mack, inventory and appraisal lists, and receipts for purchases from international antiquarian book dealers.

Dates

  • Creation: 1924-1978

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Robert Brodhead Honeyman (1897-1987) graduated from Lehigh University in 1920 as a metallurgical engineer and began collecting rare books soon after his graduation. In 1955, Honeyman and his wife Marian Stewart Honeyman gave Lehigh University an extensive collection of American and British literature thereby establishing the Honeyman Collection. Howard Seavoy Leach (1887-1948) was Head Librarian at Lehigh University from 1924 to 1948 and caretaker of Honeyman’s first gifts of individual rare books in the 1920s and 1930s. James D. Mack (1916-2001) assumed the role of Head Librarian and curator of the collection in 1948. He facilitated the acquisition of the Honeyman Collection and many subsequent gifts.

Extent

1.6 Linear Feet (3 Boxes)

Abstract

Records on Robert B. Honeyman Gifts to Lehigh University Library (1924-1978) contain items relating to Honeyman’s collection of rare books and manuscripts and his gift of part of that collection to his alma mater Lehigh University. These records include correspondence, primarily with Lehigh librarians Howard Seavoy Leach and James D. Mack, inventory and appraisal lists, and receipts for purchases from international antiquarian book dealers.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into 3 series

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Robert B. Honeyman

Related Materials

Charles Russ Richards. [Correspondence]. A collection of letters written mostly between the president of Lehigh University, Charles Russ Richards, and the librarian, Howard Seavoy Leach, on all aspects of library business (1924-1935) SC MS 009 Mack, James Decker. The Lehigh University Library 1877-1977. [Bethlehem, Pa.: Lehigh University] 1976. Honeyman, Robert B. Vertical file on his donations to Lehigh University Library, 1963. SC LVF H772 (two folders) Mack, James D. Vertical file that contains biographical information and documents related on his career as the Director of Lehigh University Library, board directors of the International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL) and member of the Grolier Club. SC LVF M153 Sotheby Parke Bernet & Co. The Honeyman Collection of Scientific Books and Manuscripts, The Property of Sotheby Parke Bernet & Co., 7 volumes, 1978-1981 (017 S7168ho)

Title
Records on Robert B. Honeyman Gifts to Lehigh University Library SC MS 0116
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Heather L. Burychka
Date
2006-11-10
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)