University Libraries

Collection Guide

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Administrative Information

Access and Restrictions: This collection is open for research.

Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections Department.

Copyright:  Please read The University of Iowa Libraries' statement on "Property Rights, Copyright Law, and Permissions to Use Unpublished Materials"

Use of Collections:  The University of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use of Manuscripts Statement.

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Biographical Note

Thomas Henry Foster was born in Chicago on January 31, 1875. While he was still a child, his family moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where his father helped establish the Morrell Meat Packing Plant. After going to Parson's College for one year, T. H. as he was known, joined the family business. In 1897, he went to Boston to be assistant manager of the Morrell branch office there. While there, he married Mary Frances Bulger in 1898. After serving the company in New York, in 1901 he returned to Ottumwa to establish the canning department at Morrell, then a new venture. In 1909 he became manager of the Sioux Falls, S.D. plant. He returned to Ottumwa in 1912, and served in a variety of positions, including president of the company from 1921 -- 1944, when he retired. Foster died suddenly at his home on November 14, 1951.

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Scope and Contents

Foster was an avid collector of books and bookplates. The bookplates make up the first series of the collection. He collected many copies of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and also kept scrapbooks on Harriet Beecher Stowe. These scrapbooks make up the second series in this collection. Foster was also a writer and his manuscripts make up series three of this collection. Foster collected many volumes on Shakespeare and believed that Edward de Vere wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare. His manuscript for Skakespeare, Man of Mystery is a part of this colleciton. Clippings and other items make up the last series, Miscellaneous.

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Related Materials

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Beadles, Bibles & bibliophiles - MAIN Library Z1005 .F6
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America's most famous book; a dissertation on Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's cabin and Uncle Tom shows - SPECIAL COLLECTIONS x-Collection PS2954.U6 F6 
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS x-Collection PS2954.U6 F6 
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A businessman looks at books and literature : an address delivered at the State University of Iowa in Iowa City on January 18, 1945 - SPECIAL COLLECTIONS x-Collection Z239.P7 F63 

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The humanities in a world of uncertainties : sixty-sixth annual commencement address, Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa, June 3, 1945 - SPECIAL COLLECTIONS x-Collection Z239.P7 F65 

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Acquisition and Processing Information

These papers were given to the University of Iowa Libraries by the estate of Thomas Henry Foster in 1953.

Guide posted to Internet: July 2004

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Box Contents List

Series I: Bookplates (Click here for a complete list of the bookplates)

Box B1

Adams -- Furman

Box B2

Garland -- Correspondence and miscellaneous

Series II: Harriet Beeher Stowe scrapbooks

Box S1

Three scrapbooks

Series III: Manuscripts by Foster

Box M1

Shakespeare - Man of Mystery

Will Shakpur - His Work (earlier title for Shakespeare - Man of Mystery). First drafts

First draft. Reading copy

Galley prooffs

Publisher's copy

[The story of Foster's collecting]. Includes auction catalog, "The Distinguished Library of the Late Thomas Henry Foster," added at a later date.

Series VI: Miscellaneous

Continuing in box M1." 1 folder

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