Duane and Eunice Bietz Collection, 1866-2016
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- Location of this collection:
-
4881 Taylor CirCollegedale, TN 37315, USA
- Preferred citation:
- Item description, McKee Library: Mark Twain Publications; Duane and Eunice Bietz Collection, Series #, box #, and folder #, McKee Library Special Collections at Southern Adventist University, Collegedale
Collection description
Summary
- Abstract:
- This collection consists of journals, magazines, newsletters, and newspapers that either contain stories or articles by Mark Twain or analysis and description of his work. The collection also contains Twain-related items such as catalogs, posters and calendars, as well as letters written by Twain.
- Extent:
- 7 Linear Feet and 8 boxes, 3 oversized boxes, 7 linear feet
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
- Item description, McKee Library: Mark Twain Publications; Duane and Eunice Bietz Collection, Series #, box #, and folder #, McKee Library Special Collections at Southern Adventist University, Collegedale
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Dr. Duane Bietz' love of books was developed at a young age. He would accompany his father, a minister, on frequent trips to the library, where he would spend his time poring over books on history and theology.
Bietz decided to collect old books when he enrolled in medical school. Since his area of expertise was cardiac surgery, he decided to collect old cardiac surgical books, but found that there weren't any significant old surgical books. Cardiac surgery was such a new specialty that journals were the venue to report results of surgical procedures. Bietz then started to read books about book collecting, and came across a book written by a Mark Twain collector. This book, coupled with Bietz' love for Twain's stories, influenced his decision to start collecting Twain books and other memorabilia.
Dr. Bietz and his wife Eunice Bietz have collected Mark Twain books and related items throughout the world. In 2010, they graciously donated their collection of books, artifacts, letters, and Twain-related publications to McKee Library, Southern Adventist University.
- Processing information:
Materials have been rearranged from their original order. Staples were removed from materials as needed, and folded items were flattened. Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes.