New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-15

THE GORDON L. FORD COLLECTION A
VALUABLE ADDITION TO THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The Ford collection was presented to the New
York Public Library by Paul Leicester and Worth
ington Chauncey Ford memorial OF their
father, Gordon L. Ford. 1t Is estimated 10 contain
about thirty thousand volumes seventy thousand
pamphlets and large number OF maps and prints.
aggregating ono hundred thousand pieces. In -
dton. Paul l.. Ford has since given to the library
collection OF sixty-one letters between John
Davenport John Winthrop and others. dating
1888 93. and interesting collection OF maps plans.
etc. relating to real estate In New-York City and
it, vicinity between 100 and 1850.
Tho special value and interest OF the printed
books In the Ford collection lies in the remarkable
number of works in certain specaltes OF book
production. The personal tastes. predictions and
studies OF father and sons aided doubt by
facilities offered by personal Friendships brought
into being library which may DO roughly divided
into half a dozen interesting groups OF books on
special subjects. Even one knowing nothing OF tho
collection would be led. by knowledge OF the lit
erary labors OF Paul Leicester Ford. to look pri-
narily for completeness In American history. and.
indeed. that section Of the library Is perhaps its
most noteworthy feature.
MASSES OF FACTS FOR THE HISTORIAN.
In the contemporary pamphlet literature Of pre-
Revolutionary and Revolutionary times It Is espe-
cially rich. and there is also much OF this kind OF
material for history" relating 70 the formation
and adoption Of the CONSTITUTIONAL fact on most
OF the political questions occupying the public mind
from. say. 1880 to 1880 All such material for his
tory. which is thought hardly worth keeping when
published. proves OF great value In the future. In
addition to these important contributions 10 the
political history Of this country there are The
Journals OF Congress" which form a noteworthy
and practically complete set OF first editions Of all
issues 0hcludng the folio OF l77s). most OF them In
original boards. and uncut. Supplementing this by
what was already In the Lenox the New-York
Public Library now has probably as good a collec-
ton OF the printed journals can be found.
The history OF the Civil War Is represented by
more or less familiar works Qncludng such Pc
crarties Albert u. Richardson's Field, Dun
geon and Escape" in Germany. and by a number
OF regmental histories and biographies. Tho last
named. especially. show that the speedy crop 81
publications on the Spanish American War WAS not
so strange a phenomenon FOR some OF these mono
graphs on individuals were published early
1852 and dealt with New England boys Who died In
the beginning Of the
The local history Qncluding sermons addresses
and lectures before various local Institutions as
we'll the more formal historical treatlses) is
worthy Of mention Biographies OF Americans are
also many In number, and include lives OF out OF
the way individuals. Christian memorials pamphlet
monographs prompted by personal or family prid.
Congressional obituary addresses. etc. Then there
the collections relating to particular Individuals
Mason Locke Weems. Washington. Franklin, JET
ferson. Goblet and Paine. The effort Of Mr.. Ford