Noted Chicago Book Collectors

Abel E. Berland's bookplate.

Abel Berland, Rev. Comerford O’Malley, C.M. and John J. Mack with a gift to the Abel Berland Scholarship Fund, 1973.

Alumnus and trustee, Abel Berland, began his connection with DePaul University in the 1930s when he was accepted to DePaul’s College of Law after denied admission elsewhere, due to quotas on Jewish students. When his family ran short of tuition money, DePaul aided his financial needs. Once established in a highly successful career, Berland pursued his love of books by collecting fine editions of masterpieces and classics. He never forgot how DePaul helped him earn the privilege of collecting his rare library. As a member of the Board of Trustees, Berland was an early and influential supporter of the creation of a Special Collections Department at DePaul University. 

Map of Jerusalem from Zuallart, Jean. Il deuotissimo viaggio di Gierusalemme : fatto, e descritto in sei libri / dal signor Giouanni Zuallardo, Caualiere del Santiss. Sepolcro di N.S. l’anno MDLXXXVI ; aggiontiui i disegni in rame di varij luoghi di terra S. & altri paesi. Di nuouo ristampato, e corretto. In Roma: Appresso Domenico Basa, MDXCV [1595]. SpCR. 910.4 Z93d1595.  Gift of Pierce Butler.

Pierce Butler served as the Rare Book Curator for the Newberry Library’s John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing from 1916-1919 and as a professor in the Graduate Library School at the University of Chicago from 1931-1951. Fluent in seven languages, Butler traveled extensively to procure rare books for institutions, as well as his own library. Bulter's exact relationship with DePaul University Libraries is unclear. However, Rev. Redmond Burke, C.S.V., DePaul Library Director (1948-1967), had a wide ranging interest in building special collections at DePaul and was known for his collegiality amongst other collectors and institutions.