Ruth E. Adomeit
| Ruth E. Adomeit | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1910 |
| Died | 1996 |
| Nationality | German American |
| Occupation | miniature book author and editor; Miniature book collector |
| Known for | One of the worlds largest colleciton of miniature books |
Ruth E. Adomeit (January 30, 1910 – February 16, 1996[1]) was an American author, editor, collector of miniature books and philanthropist.
Adomeit was educated at Wellesley College, where she began her interest in miniature books after her father, George Adomeit, gave her two of the Kingsport Press's miniature books by Abraham Lincoln and Calvin Coolidge. She edited The Miniature Book Collector from 1960 to 1962, and was a leading member of the Miniature Book Society. She was also a naturalist with a keen interest in bats and was a "Founder’s Circle member" of Bat Conservation International.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Book collection
After her father sparked her interest in miniature books Ruth started a collection, that would be among the largest in the world. The books include miniature volumes by Abraham Lincoln and Calvin Coolidge, as well as miniature form record keeping of cuneiform tablets (2000 B.C.) to contemporary small press and artists' books, giving rise to the title, 4000 Years of Miniature Books.
[edit] Rare books
The collection includes many rare books such as "From Morn Till Eve", a miniature book that presents biblical quotations in a devotional form, with one phrase for each morning and evening of a month. The Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) had listed that "the only known copy as being in the collection of famed miniature book collector Ruth E. Adomeit"[3].
[edit] Works
- Three Centuries of Thumb Bibles: a Checklist; published by Garland in 1980. "It remains the standard reference book on the subject, essential to any scholar or collector in the field."[4]
Ruth wrote a foreword (one of three), that is actually a short essay in memory of Achille J. St. Onge (Worcester, MA; 1935-1977)[5], in "Duke Ellington Remembered. New York Notes"[6]for Whitney Balliett, published by Gold Stein Press in 1981.
[edit] Lilly Library
Adomeit left her collection of miniature books to Indiana University[7]. She also left historical papers, the "Ruth E. Adomeit papers, 1907-1958" concerning her father[8], and the "George G. Adomeit papers, 1880-1968"[9] to the Archives of American Art[10].
[edit] References
- ^ Library of Congress name authority file
- ^ IN TRIBUTE: Ruth E. Adomeit, Bats 15:1 (Spring 1997)
- ^ Rare book- Retrieved 2012-01-08
- ^ Indiana University quote; "Three Centuries of Thumb Bibles"- Retrieved 2012-01-08
- ^ University of Iowa miniature book collection- Retrieved 2012-01-08
- ^ Duke Ellington Remembered- Retrieved 2012-01-08
- ^ Bio for '4000 Years of Miniature Books', an exhibition at Indiana University's Lilly Library
- ^ Ruth E. Adomeit papers- Retrieved 2012-01-08
- ^ George G. Adomeit papers- Retrieved 2012-01-08
- ^ Archives of American Art- Retrieved 2012-01-08
[edit] External links
- Ruth E. Adomeit at Heifer International Foundation book of remembrance
- Works by or about Ruth E. Adomeit in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
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