Ferdinand J. Dreer autograph collection [Box 216, letter to Robert Dale Owen from Mary Shelley, Dec 30, 1830 & Nov 9 1828]

Ferdinand J. Dreer autograph collection [Box 216, letter to Robert Dale Owen from Mary Shelley, Dec 30, 1830 & Nov 9 1828]

Ferdinand Julian Dreer’s chief hobby was collecting autographs. He started with two documents and over time he was able to amass more than 15,000 items from some of the world’s most prominent and intriguing public figures. Owing to this interest, Dreer became acquainted with many people in the world of arts and letters, politics, education, clergy, business, and international affairs. As he was aware of such a collection’s potential impact on scholarship and society, Dreer donated all of his holdings to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, with which he had been associated for many years as the institution’s vice president.

Dreer, Ferdinand J. 1812-1902. (Creator)

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

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