Annie E. Moore Collection

The special project of Professor Annie E. Moore, who offered courses for teachers of kindergarten and primary grades at Teachers College from 1910 to 1931, was the enhancement of the Library’s historical collections of illustrated books for children.

Recognizing the significance of illustrations for children’s literature, and perceiving the continuing need for students and researchers to have access to notable illustrations, Moore began systematically to collect books with some of the best illustrations. Upon retirement, she donated a fund to the Library for the continued purchase of illustrated children’s books and, from her home in California, provided consultation to the librarians in the selection of choice items.

While nineteenth-century titles selected by Moore for their illustrations have been integrated into the Historical Collection, about 150 twentieth-century books have been maintained as a distinct Annie E. Moore Collection. Such books as Edward Lear’s Complete Nonsense Book(1912), illustrated by the author, and E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web (1952), illustrated by Garth Williams, give insight into how the conceptual and technological developments of the graphic arts contributed to the visual and emotional as well as literary education of 2Oth century youth.

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Introduction   Darton Collection   Historical Collection   Annie E. Moore Collection   Twentieth Century Retrospective Collection   Contemporary Collection   Related Collections