Robert Davis
From the Winter's Palace to the "People's Palace": NYPL and the Libraries of the Tsars

Friday, December 8, 2006
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Series Title:  Reflections of the Culture: Fashions, Styles, and Trends

South Court Auditorium, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788 (directions)

Bookplate of the Winter Palace Library of Emperor Nicholas II.

This illustrated lecture recounts the fascinating story of how the Library acquired its remarkable Slavic holdings—a collection of more than half a million titles, ranging from the fourteenth century to the present. Particular attention is devoted to Library contacts with the Russian Imperial family during the nineteenth century, the Soviet-era sale of thousands of rare and often unique volumes from the libraries of the Tsars during the 1920s and 30s, and notable benefactions and purchases of more recent years.

Cost:  Free

Program Information:
Celeste Bartos Education Center
These programs are free and open to the public, and are presented in the Library's South Court (enter from Astor Hall). Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rooms will be opened 10 minutes prior to the class beginning. For questions, send an e-mail to SouthCourt@nypl.org or call (212) 930-9284.