Title page of scrapbook with Harvard University Library bookplate

This bookplate indicates that the scrapbook was donated to the library by Edward L. Pierce in June 1893; it is not known who assembled the scrapbook, although it was presumanly either Pierce or the younger Sumner.

Plan for the arrangement of the catalogue of the University Library, [1817 January]

Six-page handwritten draft of an organization plan for the catalogue of the Harvard University Library.

Plan for the arrangement of the catalogue of the University Library (printed), 1817 January

Printed broadside containing an organization plan for the catalogue of the Harvard University Library.

IV. Sheet music of Father Abbey's Will dedicated to the Graduates of Harvard University, 1850

Sheet music for Father Abbey's Will published in Boston by Oliver Ditson.

Lists of books in the Harvard College Library, undated

This folder contains six leaves with undated book and shelf lists.

A summary of remarks made by William C. Lane, Librarian of Harvard University, published in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, December 1909

Lane addressed the Massachusetts Historical Society about the recent discovery of foundations walls, likely from Goffe College, made during the Boston Elevated Railway's excavations in Harvard Square for the subway on Massachusetts Avenue.

"A Catalogue of books given to Harvard College Library," undated

Lists books donated by a Dr. Chauncy, Mr. Pemberton, Joseph Green, William W. Kitwell(?), Mr. Sec[retar]y Oliver, William Greenleaf, Moses Gill, Mr. Bradstreet, Dr. Isaac Foster, Brigadier General Royall, Nicholas Sever, M.(?) Condy, Mr. Dolbear, Rev. Mr. Harris, Mr. Browne, Stephen Greenleaf, Thomas Cushing, Mr. Orne, Mr. Agar, Mr. Marion, Mr. Fleet, Mr. Davies, Mr. Barrett, Dr. Grant, and possibly others. Entries include author, title, volume number, and occasionally format.

A collection of the most approved pieces of music from various authors: transcribed while member of Harvard University, from July 1789 to July 1793

John Pierce kept this journal while he was a student at Harvard College. It consists of manuscript musical scores with annotations indicating the occasions at which the music was performed. These occasions included commencements, public exhibitions and Dudleian lectures. A note indicates that one anthem was prepared by Samuel Holyoke at Pierce's request, to be performed at Pierce's class commencement exercises, held on July 13, 1793. Several annotations were made in May 1794, the year following Pierce's graduation. There is a table of contents on the last page.

Harvard Library bookplate collection, 1764-1960

This collection contains samples of bookplate labels that were pasted into books held in the libraries of Harvard University, dating from 1764 to 1960. The collection includes bookplates arranged chronologically and bookplates of the Harvard College Library and departmental libraries arranged alphabetically. The collection also contains correspondence related to bookplates, dating from 1918 to 1921, and a list of printed seals used in Harvard College Library. Some of the bookplates include handwritten inscriptions, while others are blank. There are six 18th century bookplates with inscriptions documenting gifts and bequests made following the 1764 fire that destroyed the bulk of Harvard's Library from Marblehead, Massachusetts, minister John Barnard (1681-1770; Harvard AB 1700); New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth (1696-1770; Harvard AB 1715); Portsmouth, New Hampshire, merchant Thomas Wibird (1706-1765; Harvard AB 1728); and merchant Thomas Lee (died 1787) of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Valedictory poem delivered in the Chapel of Harvard University on the 21 June 1796: in the presence of the President Proffers & Tutors & the four classes of understudents at the request of the class who completed their college studies on that day

Handwritten draft of the Charles P. Sumner’s valedictory poem to the Harvard class of 1796, in a 19th century hardcover binding beginning “The youth by adverse fortune forced to roam…”. The poem mentions John Russell, a member of the Class of 1796 who died in November 1795. The copy includes edits and struck-out words.