In our Collection of Printed Books and Periodicals, you will find more than 100,000 volumes and about 20,000 rare American and European imprints, most focused on the documentation of decorative arts and design and the material culture of everyday life in America from the 17th through the early 20th centuries.
The holdings of rare books are especially strong in architecture and design books, travel narratives, American painting and graphics, children’s books, descriptions of craft techniques, women’s magazines, the literature of domestic economy and etiquette, periodicals that promote or describe lifestyles, and city directories and guidebooks. A significant portion of the rare book collection offers insights into the European influences on American taste and design. Trade catalogs from American and British manufacturers and retailers provide an invaluable record of product designs, technological developments, and marketing strategies.
The collection also offers current periodicals, as well as auction and exhibition catalogues