Yeoman's in the Fork Blog

A few of you have heard the sad stories of years spent visiting Washington without a glimpse at the original book collection of Thomas Jefferson. Seems like an easy task, right??? Let me tell you folks, I have visited the National Archives and the Library of Congress several times over the past few years and the collection has eluded me. That is until this week! The remaining books from the actual collection of Thomas Jefferson are housed in the Library of Congress as I had always heard. They are up on the third floor and are the centerpiece to the entire Jefferson wing. The books from the original collection are now offset with other period pieces that serve as place fillers for the original books that still remain either missing or destroyed in the fires at the Library in the 19th century (there were two fires that consumed much of the library in the 1800's). Jefferson's personal books were purchased by Congress to rebuild the Library of Congress stock when it was burned by the British in the War of 1812. The books were nicely tucked away there until another fire that destroyed two thirds of them in 1851. The remnants are beautiful!

Hats off to the archivists, patrons and politicians who have seen fit to finally bring Jefferson's books into the light for us all to enjoy. We may not be able to hold them, but we can peruse them digitally and can view all of them close up under glass. The original collection sold by Jefferson to Congress in 1815 carried a retail price of $23,950. The collection consisted of 6,487 books on subjects such as "History," "Philosophy," "Reason," "Fine Arts," and "Imagination." Jefferson collected books across a vast spectrum of topics and languages. Unlike most collectors of books today, Jefferson selected his books for their practical applications. His library was a working tool in his mind. To see these books up close after years of searching and late arrivals to the Library of Congress was mind boggling. One can only imagine the man at work with the books that now rest right in front of your very eyes. This must sound a little corny to most, but to the book collector and treasure hunters out there, the Jefferson Library represents the best of what we are all about. Treasures lost and gained and now on display for all to enjoy as well as be entertained!

Photos weren't allowed, but check out the scans from the brochure as well as the links below: