HISTORY: Donated in 1985 by long-time member of the St. Louis Mercantile Library, Wray Brown, this collection reflects the donor's personal collecting interest in the turn-of-the-century novelist, Oppenheim, and in the lush, romantic settings with which this author usually filled his pages. Attached to the collection is a significant sub-collection of the writings by and about Sir Richard Burton, the explorer and orientalist, and the adventurer, Giovanni Casanova.

SCOPE: One of the largest collections of the writings of Oppenheim, the holdings cover the author's entire literary career. Included are original book reviews, extra illustrations, magazines, and other papers and clippings on Oppenheim and his books, helping to form a comprehensive collection on an author who was widely read by turn-of-the-century Mercantile Library members, and to capture the bygone literary tastes of a particularly American readership.

HOLDINGS: Approximately 300 volumes, plus manuscript material, periodical notices, newspaper clippings, etc.

ACCESS: Currently housed as a discrete special collection, Special Collection M-110 monographs have been cataloged and a marked and annotated bibliography available on site. Manucripts portions remain uncatalogued. Portions of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned, or photographed subject to condition.

Please note: This collection is only partially processed and access is currently restricted.

As collections are processed, their inventory information is added to the web-site.