Catherine "Kate" Weller commonplace book

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

This collection has been minimally processed and is open for research.

Terms of access:

The Library believes that all or nearly all material in this collection is likely to be in the public domain, free of copyright restrictions. Visit our Permissions and Publishing page for more information about use of Special Collections materials. The library can provide copyright information upon request, but users are responsible for making their own determination about lawful use of collections materials. NoC-US: No Copyright - United States: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Preferred citation:

MSS 16946, Catherine Weller commonplace book, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Summary

Extent:
0.03 Cubic Feet 1 folder (letter)
Creator:
Weller, Catherine "Kate"
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

MSS 16946, Catherine Weller commonplace book, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains a commonplace book created by Catherine "Kate" Weller of Surrey, England. The book, dated between 1833 and 1835, includes 154 pages with sixty-four handwritten entries, ten watercolors, six other drawings, and a few ephemera items. It also has what may be a self-portrait of the author. Weller's title page is dated March 10, 1833 and the first entry is dated September 20, 1835 under the heading "My Album". The book has typical entries of commonplace books of the time, such as passages from Samuel Johnson, Oliver Goldsmith, and aphorisms like Thomas Jefferson's "Ten rules to live by." Weller provided much of the text; however, there is at least five other writers, including a man identified only as "THD" commenting on bachelorhood and love. Weller's drawings capture in full-color detail, with many scenes featuring birds, florals, butterflies, a cottage, and a woman.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased from Langdon Manor by the Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia on 29 June 2023.
Physical description:
Fair. The spine perished and was replaced with paper tape; boards with heavy edgewear; textblock nearly fully detached with gatherings detached from textblock. Paper otherwise good
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard