Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1670-1838 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
5 boxes (1 metre)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
A native of Melbourne, William Shelden moved to Canada in 1926. Although an engineer by trade, Shelden was also involved in amateur theatricals, and appeared in more than 25 TV dramas and has done many TV commercials. While a collector of antique glass, he is best known as a collector of Australian books.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Acquired from William Shelden, 1982.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection consists of Shelden's collected correspondence with book dealers, and notes and cards with bibliographical information about his collection. Among the documents of interest include a signed letter from Sir Joseph Banks and a photograph of Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as a volume of original drawings used to illustrate one of Dumont D'Urville's voyages.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Material may be requested in person at the Fisher Library Reference Desk, or in advance using our online stack retrieval request form: https://aeon.library.utoronto.ca
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English