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WORLD'S LARGEST LIBRARY OF DRAMA IS AT HARVARD

E. J. Wendell's Bequest Makes Theatre Collection Unrivalled by Any Other.

With the addition of the Wendell library, recently willed to the University by Evert Jansen Wendell '82, who died in France in August, 1917, the University Library now possesses the largest and most comprehensive collection of material relating to the history of the American and English stage, now in existence. The foundation of this collection was made by Robert G. Shaw '69, who is still acting as librarian of the Theatre Collection.

The Wendell bequest consists of 32,000 books and pamphlets dealing with the theatre, 100,000 play bills, 100,000 photographs of actors and actresses, 51,000 folios of sheet music and several hundred thousand prints and views dealing with the stage. There are approximately 500,000 items listed in the library acquired by the University, including much valuable non-dramatic material.

Portion of Wendell Library for Sale.

The portion of the Wendell library which was not taken by the University is being offered for sale under the auspices of the American Art Association. The proceeds will be given to the University.

Mr. Wendell's library includes many valuable collections besides the dramatic material. He formed special collections of Lincolnia, New York historical material, and matter pertaining to Napoleon. His library is considered by his executor and friend, Mr. John Anderson, Jr., to be one of the most unique and extensive private collections extant.

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University Has Two Million Books in All.

The main College Library, exclusive of the special department collections and the Law Library, now consists of 1,058,000 books and pamphlets. This is an increase of 81,000 volumes over 1918. The entire University Library, including all branches and collections, contains now in the neighborhood of 2,000,000 volumes.

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