Collection ID: LMC 1009
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Adomeit, Ruth E.
Abstract:
The Adomeit mss. II, 1950-1995, consists of the papers of Ruth Elizabeth Adomeit, 1910-1996, relating primarily to her collecting of miniature books and manuscripts.
Extent:
17 Boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Adomeit mss. II, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Ruth Elizabeth Adomeit, 1910-1996, was a miniature book collector and bibliographer. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and worked as a secretary and research assistant in engineering, and as an elementary school teacher until her retirement. Collecting miniature books was her lifetime passion, begun with gifts from her father while she was at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She edited Miniature Book Collector, a quarterly publication which consisted of eight issues, plus an index, from 1960 to 1962. Following the demise of this publication, she and other miniature book enthusiasts founded the Miniature Book Society, and Adomeit served as editor of the Society's newsletter for several years. Throughout this time and into the 1990s, she wrote several articles and spoke at various venues on miniature book collecting. In 1980, she completed a bibliography, Three Centuries of Thumb Bibles (New York: Garland Pub.), the standard reference work for these books.

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of the papers of Ruth Elizabeth Adomeit, 1910-1996, relating primarily to her collecting of miniature books and manuscripts. Included are correspondence, materials related to her bibliography of Thumb Bibles, her writings and lectures on miniature books, files relating to the Miniature Book Collector and to her association with the Miniature Book Society, card files containing descriptions of her collection, and card files given to her by d'Alté Welch that contain his research for a bibliography of English children's books. The travel series includes itineraries, travel lists, receipts, brochures, maps, and pamphlets.

Acquisition information:
Bequest: 1996
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series: I. Correspondence; II. Lectures/Writings; III. Business Papers; IV. Miniature Book Collector; V. Miniature Book Society; VI. Photographs; VII. Travel; VIII. Miscellaneous materials; IX. Notebooks.

I. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent. VII. Travel is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Adomeit mss. II, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu