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RARE BOOK DEPARTMENT TO DISPLAY VAST BEATRIX POTTER COLLECTION IN NEW EXHIBITION, “THE CHARMING LITTLE BUNNY: COLLECTING BEATRIX POTTER AT THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA”
PHILADELPHIA, June 22, 2011 -- The Rare Book Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Library will open a new exhibition centered on beloved children’s author Beatrix Potter on June 27th. Running through October 14th, “The Charming Little Bunny: Collecting Beatrix Potter at the Free Library of Philadelphia” will feature items from the department’s Potter collection, which is the largest outside of Great Britain.
The exhibition will feature original manuscripts and first editions of many Potter classics—including the privately printed edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, of which only 450 copies were ever produced. Potter’s original artwork and letters will also be on display.
“As the Free Library of Hidden Gems, we are proud of the treasures housed in our collections,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia. “For many generations, Beatrix Potter's sweetly illustrated tales have delighted children and adults alike. We feel privileged to display material that will bring back such fond memories and encourage visitors to enjoy these jewels of children’s literature.”
The Rare Book Department is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. While the public may visit at any time during those hours, a guided tour of the department’s collection is available at 11:00 a.m. every day. There will be special hours on Saturday, July 16th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Potter exhibition. For more information about "The Charming Little Bunny" or the Rare Book Department, please call 215-686-5416 or email erefrbd@freelibrary.org.
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The Free Library of Philadelphia system consists of 49 branches, three regional libraries, the Parkway Central Library, and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. With more than 6 million visits annually, the Free Library is one of the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia.
06/22/2011
Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850