Book Returns to Columbia Library After 178 Years
6 September 1950. "Enos M. Johnson (left) of Brooklyn, hands rare volume over to Dr. Richard H. Logsdon, associate director of the Columbia University Libraries. The book, entitled "A System of Natural Philosophy," was drawn from the shelves of the old King's College library in 1772 -- a dozen years before King's College became Columbia. It was recently discovered by Mr. Johnston as he rummaged through the attic at the home of his aunt, Miss Susan Ruggles of Binghamton, N.Y. The scholar who borrowed the book was Robert Harpur, one-time librarian of King's College and tutor of Alexander Hamilton. It was not regarded as "overdue" at the University library, which was fortunate in view of the fact that a considerable fine would have been in order. The fine, calculated at the rate of five cents per day, would have totaled $3,248.50. Dr. Logsdon expressed the Library's gratitude for the return of the volume. 'The Library is especially happy to have this historic volume come back into its possession,' said Dr. Logsdon. 'We are most grateful to Mr. Johnston. The book, spanning virtually all of Columbia's life through nearly two centuries of American history, will serves as an interesting item for exhibition in Columbia's coming Bicentennial celebration in 1954." (from: press release attached to image)
Historical Photograph Collection;Box 138;Folder 7 (Administration-Provost-Libraries, Kings College)
Image of interview of Mr. Link (at right) in the Oral History Research Office
Historical Photograph Collection;Box 138;Folder 8 (Administration - Provost - Libraries, Oral History Research Office)
Image of a man listening to a recorded oral history on a record in the Oral History Research Office.
Woman listening to an oral history tape and transcribing the interview.
View of one portion of the book conveyor system from behind the Alma Mater statue on Low Plaza. Between August 20 and September 19, 1934 student workers and professional movers moved books from their original home in Low Library to their new home in South Hall (Butler Library).
Historical Photograph Collection;Box 138;Folder 9 (Administration - Provost - Libraries, Butler Transfer of Books from Low)
Image of student workers moving boxes from book chutes onto book carts at the foot of stairs to Low Plaza. Between August 20 and September 19, 1934 student workers and professional movers moved books from their original home in Low Library to their new home in South Hall (Butler Library).
31 August 1934. Boxes of books loaded onto the book chute next to the Alma Mater on their way across campus. Between August 20 and September 19, 1934 student workers and professional movers moved books from their original home in Low Library to their new home in South Hall (Butler Library).
View of the temporary book elevator constructed alongside Low Memorial Library as seen on 31 August 1934. Between August 20 and September 19, 1934 student workers and professional movers moved books from their original home in Low Library to their new home in South Hall (Butler Library).
31 August 1934. Student workers unloading books from book elevator outside of Low Memorial Library. Between August 20 and September 19, 1934 student workers and professional movers moved books from their original home in Low Library to their new home in South Hall (Butler Library).
Two scholars (one of whom is Professor John Day) looking at papyrus with magnifying glass in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
Historical Photograph Collection;Box 138;Folder 11 (Administration - Provost - Libraries, Butler, Rare book and Manuscript)
A student working with some of the rare publications dealing with the Russian Revolutionary Movement, purchased by Columbia University from funds granted by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Historical Photograph Collection;Box 138;Folder 11(Administration - Provost - Libraries, Butler, Rare Book and Manuscript)
Patron viewing a display of rare books in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
"Theodore Shabad, assistant editor of the Gazetteer, checks data on source which include a Communist atlas published in 1950, and the China Postal Guide in both Chinese and English editions. "
Historical Photograph Collection; Box 129; Folder 2 (Academics - Affiliated Institutions - Columbia University Press)
Table of Columbia University Press books written by Columbia Faculty, May 1951.
Professor Tyndall and Dwight Miner at the publication party for the Columbia Encyclopedia.
CMC (Columbia Movie Club?) members editing film, ca. 1947.
"Students pore over a display of "Banned Books of All Ages" in Butler Library at Columbia University which is observing its 200th anniversary throughout 1954."
Historical Photograph Collection; Box 149; Folder 2 (Bicentennial - Exhibits - Columbia University, New York, 1954)
Woman looking at bulletin board containing examples of the media coverage for Columbia University's Bicentennial in 1954.
Historical Photograph Collection; MS 149; Folder 2 (Bicentennial - Exhibits - Columbia University, New York, 1954)
Exhibit of French Universities at Butler Library
Image of (L to R) Pierre Douzelot, President Grayson Kirk, Jean Sarrailk, and Henri Bonnet examining a part of the exhibit of French Universities at Butler Library, 18 October 1954.
"Students discuss one of the panels in Columbia University's Bicentennial Exhibit entitled 'A Man's Right to Knowledge and the Free Use Thereof." A funereal design surrounds a photograph showing the damaged front of the office of La Prensa, the opposition newspaper in Buenos Aires, Argentina, closed by order of Juan Peron, January 26, 1951. The quotation from John Locke reads: '...if what (a man) holds be, as he gives out, well fenced with evidence, and he sees it to be true, what need he fear to put it to the proof?...He whose assent goes beyond his evidence owes this excess of his adherence only to prejudice, and does, in effect, own it....declaring thereby that it is not evidence he seeks but the quiet enjoyment of the opinion he is fond of...'"