ANDERSON — A rare collection of children’s books appraised at over $1 million is being dedicated at Anderson University Friday.

The gift from Dr. James and Elizabeth York is expected to not only draw scholars to the university, but has the potential to open the door to new degree programs.

Celebrating the importance of the collection, a full-day festival is planned featuring authors, illustrators, and a rare-book expert.

“It’s hard to put into words the significance of this kind of gift to a school and a library our size,” said Janet Brewer, library director. “It literally is the kind of collection that could put the library on the map for scholars in this particular discipline of children’s literature.”

Brewer also noted that this kind of information resources offers a glimmer of hope for a master’s degree program to be developed in children’s literature.

The collection numbers approximately 10,000 books, many of them first edition copies. Authors and illustrators from the 18th and 19th centuries are well represented. Even most personal hand-carried works can be found in the stacks.

“There is a little self-published book by Beatrix Potter and it was what she had published herself so she could take it around to publishers to get their interest,” said Brewer. “That’s just kind of cool – to look at it and say: ‘She touched this’. She held it in her hand and she touched it.’”

Rob Hittel, a Fort Lauderdale book appraiser and dealer since 1974, is also enthused by rare items in the collection. A copy of “Uncle Remus, his Songs and Sayings” actually belonged to Frederic Remington, the late-1800s painter, illustrator and sculptor.

“What’s exciting to me about that book is the mere fact that Remington held that book, looked at it, used it, got something from it – I get chills when I think about it,” he said.

Hittel will speak at one of the afternoon sessions as part of the daylong festival. After providing a beginner’s guide to collecting, using the York collection as an example, he will answer questions about the hobby from the audience.

“I love her collection – it’s incredible in its depth,” he said with admiration. “Once she got hold of an author or illustrator that she liked, she wanted everything by them. That’s not done so much anymore, but that’s the way collectors used to collect. She was complete in all the fields that she dealt with.”

Enjoying learning

The Yorks have been longtime benefactors for Anderson University, providing resources for construction of York Seminary Village for ministerial students.

Elizabeth York’s parents, Rev. Harry and Henrietta Harp, were active in the Church of God. Their children established the Harp Endowed Memorial Fund, which provides a grant to a graduating seminary student who has made the most outstanding accomplishment in congregational ministries.