The Research Center of the Brandywine River Museum of Art has just received a donation of over 1,000 books to the collection.

A volunteer, Diane B. Packer, donated her collection of books, catalogs, and periodicals all relating to the collections of the museum.

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Mrs. Packer has been a volunteer at the Brandywine since the 1970s in various departments of the museum. Through her time spent here, she developed a passion for Howard Pyle as well as the other artists featured in the museum. She has donated up to 600 books throughout her career at the Brandywine and this is her last donation.

Many of the books Mrs. Packer donated were illustrated by women, which is a wonderful addition to the collection. Most of these are children’s books and fairytales dating back to the late 1800s. Some notable illustrators include Katharine Pyle, Howard Pyle’s sister. She illustrated many fairytales and was very popular during her time. Jessie Wilcox Smith is another prominent female illustrator seen in this donation.

The best aspect of the donation is the number of rare books, including books illustrated by artists who were not known to be Pyle students until this donation. The donation includes several books by each illustrator with some first editions. Overall, this is an incredible donation to the Research Center at the Brandywine River Museum of Art.

The Research Center is located on the second floor of the museum and is open to the public by appointment only; to make an appointment email [email protected] or call 610-388-8310. 

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