Carl H. Pforzheimer Library acquisition records

1918-1986

Carl H. Pforzheimer (1879-1957) began collecting books while in his early teens. In the second, third and fourth decades of the 20th century, he assembled one of the most distinguished rare book and manuscript libraries of English and American literature, including important milestones in intellectual progress. His library included the contents of the catalog The Carl H. Pforzheimer Library: English Literature, 1475-1700 (1940), now at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, Austin, Texas, and the collection relating to Shelley and his circle now at the New York Public Library. The library, continued after his death by the Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation, also included rare continental incunables and 16th century books, various 18th-century landmarks of English literature, examples of fine printing, and original artwork used as book illustration. Collection consists of book acquisition records of the library of Carl H. Pforzheimer. Included are invoices and purchase memoranda and acquisition lists concerning items in the Carl H. Pforzheimer Shelley and his Circle Collection (which was transferred to The New York Public Library) as well as other works purchased for the Pforzheimer library.