Small Collections

Robert FROST Collection

Sherlock HOLMES Collection

PANAMA CANAL Collection

Panama Canal Collection

The noted book collector Norman H. Strouse built this collection of books, manuscripts, newspapers and pamphlets, which he presented as a gift to the library. Of special interest are the manuscript materials, most of which date from the nineteenth century, and include presidential letters, authorizations and confidential reports.

California Authors Collection

James Phelan Collection

Founded through a bequest from San Francisco Mayor James D. Phelan in 1934, this collection numbers over 1,500 volumes. Books, manuscripts, typescripts, portraits and photographs of such writers as George Sterling, Ambrose Bierce, Gertrude Atherton, Frank Norris, Ina Coolbrith, and Edwin Markham are included, as well as first editions of the novels of Jack London and the George L. Gary Collection of Bret Harte. The collection also includes writers from the late twentieth century.