2002-2023
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
The Ticknor Society records are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
This collection includes digital material that can only be accessed onsite at the MHS library.
Abstract
This collection consists of the records of the Ticknor Society, a Boston-area organization of book collectors, booksellers, librarians, historians, archivists, conservators, printers, publishers, writers, and all lovers and readers of books.
Historical Sketch
The Ticknor Society, founded in 2002, is an organization of book collectors, booksellers, librarians, historians, archivists, conservators, printers, publishers, writers, and all lovers and readers of books. The society is dedicated to the enjoyment, promotion, and support of books and book culture.
The society is named for George Ticknor (1791-1871) and his daughter Anna Eliot Ticknor (1823-1896). George Ticknor was a prominent Boston collector, scholar, and library supporter. His collection of Spanish literature is at the Boston Public Library. Anna Eliot Ticknor was an early member of the Massachusetts Library Commission (founded in 1890, the first state library commission in the United States) and an active promoter of literacy for all. Both father and daughter were instrumental in making books widely accessible in Massachusetts.
Members of the Ticknor Society gather approximately six to eight times a year to socialize with friends and colleagues, listen to and present papers, share information and research, take workshops, and spread good cheer. Programs include lectures, collectors' roundtables, visits to exhibitions and private collections, behind-the-scenes tours of area libraries, and workshops. There is an annual meeting with a featured speaker.
Membership in the Ticknor Society is open to anyone who loves and appreciates books. The society is a member of the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies (FABS), an organization of similar book-loving societies throughout the United States. Membership in the Ticknor Society includes FABS privileges, such as the FABS newsletter, published twice a year, and invitations to the annual Bibliophilic Tour and Symposium and other FABS events.
Collection Description
The Ticknor Society records consist of material summarizing all activities of the society; administrative and legal records, including founding documents and society meeting minutes; publicity records, including documentation of the official website; financial records; records documenting specific events or society-sponsored activities; and realia.
Processing Information
This collection has been minimally processed, and the guide may be revised in the future. Additions are expected.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Shannon Struble on behalf of the Ticknor Society, June 2023.
Restrictions on Access
The Ticknor Society records are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
This collection includes digital material that can only be accessed onsite at the MHS library.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. General records, 2002-2023
By-laws
Elections
Board correspondence and meeting minutes, 2002-2003
Board meeting at MHS, 21 May 2003
Board meetings, 2004-2006
Board correspondence and meeting minutes, 2007
Board meetings, 2011-2023
Board list and information
Publicity and website
Newsletter/web links
Ticknor Society history (general)
II. Financial records, 2005-2014
Treasurer annual reports
Tax-exempt certificate
Non-profit status
Bank statements and receipts
Expenses and statements, 2005-2007
Income tax returns, 2007-2009
Expenses and statements, 2008-2010
Income tax return, 2010
Donations to General Fund, FY10
Expenses and statements, 2011
Income tax return, 2011
Donations to General Fund, FY11
Expenses and statements, 2012
Income tax return, 2012
Donations to General Fund, FY12
Expenses and statements, 2013
Income tax return, 2013
Donations to General Fund, 2013
Expenses and statements, 2014
Income tax return, 2014
Donations to General Fund, 2014
Correspondence re: wire fraud
III. Events, 2002-2019
Compiled lists of events
Possible event - digitization
Events, 2002-2004
Book Fair - "Premium," 2004
Events, 2005-2006
Book Fair - Collectors' Roundtable, 18 November 2006
Events, 2007-2008
Events lists, 2009
Events, 2009
Events lists, 2010-2011
BPL - Civil War map exhibit tour, 18 October 2011
Events, 2011-2013
Collectors' Roundtable, 16 November 2013
"Caring for Your Collection," 27 January 2014
Events, 2014-2015
Collectors' Roundtable, 29 October 2016
Events, 2016-2019
FABS 2012
Previous FABS meetings
Planning Committee meetings
Planning
Prospectus (planning)
Planning Committee, 8 March 2012
FABS, 6-10 June 2012
Symposium - planning
Symposium - speakers
Symposium - speakers confirmed
Budgets
General support
Sponsorship opportunities
Sheraton
Godine collection tour
Attendees
Dinner
Name badges
Designers
Booksellers Showcase
Program booklet - planning
Program booklet - advertising, etc.
Mock-up program booklet
Program booklet - final
10th anniversary keepsake
Oversize poster, 8 June 2012
Stored onsite at Ms. N-2662.Movable Book Symposium, 2016
Promotional signs/posters
Book Fair, 2005-2006
Book Fair, 2008-2012
MARIAB, May 2013
Book Fair, 2013-2014
Library history seminar - Simmons College, 2015
Book Fair, 2015-2016
Book Fair - extra signs
Book Fair - background information on Ticknor Society
Fabric samples, stencils, and images for quilt
Ticknor Collecting Prize entries
IV. Membership, 2006-2013
FABS
Membership lists
Membership brochures, 2006-2009
Membership brochures - Book Fair, 2009-2010
Palm card, ca. 2012
Membership brochures, 2013
Membership forms, including Book Fair, 2009-2010
Membership forms and renewals, 2011
Membership forms and brochures
V. Publications, 2012-2022
The Ticknor Society 2002-2012: A Tenth Anniversary Keepsake, 2012
Keepsake solicitations, 2012
The Enemies of Books, by William Blades, 2014
Curiosities of the Ticknor Society: Contributions from Members, 2014-2015, 2015
"The Best Bibliograph I Have Met With": George Ticknor Visits Monticello, 1815, edited by Jeremy B. Dibbell (2016 keepsake)
Anna Eliot Ticknor & The Society to Encourage Studies at Home, by Marie Oedel and Cheryl Mariolis (2018 keepsake)
2019 keepsake
2020 keepsake
2022 keepsake
Miscellaneous advertising
"Ticknor Society - Bailey files"
FABS with Ticknor blurbs
Miscellaneous printed material
VI. Realia, 2009
Ticknor Society book darts
Two origami balls made by Cynthia Fields-Belanger at the Boston Book Fair, 2009
Printing block made by Annie Silverman for Ticknor Society program, 11 February 2009, with print on fabric
VII. Digital and audiovisual material, 2002-2023Digital Content
This series consists of material created by the Ticknor Society and donated to the MHS on digital media. The series contains a video of the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies (FABS) 2012 symposium, digital photographs of events, meeting minutes, newsletters, calendars, emails, and other material.
"Symposium on Boston and the Book Arts," 9 June 2012
DVD, running time: 02:51:40.Untitled media, 2017-2023
Flash drive, 1,336 files (17.1 GB)."Ticknor Society," 2002-2009
CD-RW, 557 files (16.6 MB)."Ticknor Society - Bailey Files," 2002-2007
CD-R, 197 files (25.3 MB).Preferred Citation
Ticknor Society records, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.