The McCune Collection Presents the Fall 2011 Lecture Series
Sunday, September 11, 2:00 pm
PETER HANFF
Cyclone on the Prairies: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Arts & Crafts of Publishing in Chicago, 1900.
Noted Bay Area author, raconteur and Ozophile Peter Hanff discusses his recently published Cyclone on the Prairies: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Arts & Crafts of Publishing in Chicago, 1900. Issued as a limited edition by the Book Club of California; designed and printed by Peter Koch, the book explores the publishing history of The Wizard of Oz, as well as its enduring appeal to readers everywhere. Peter Hanff is deputy director of the Bancroft Library and an authority on rare books and special collections. He also is the former president of the International Wizard of Oz Club, a non-profit corporation that is considered one of the world's definitive sources of Oz-related material.
Sunday, October 23, 2:00 pm
LEONARD PITT
A Small Moment of Great Illumination – Searching for Valentine Greatrakes the Master Healer
Join Leonard Pitt as he unearths the life of this enigmatic 17th century Irish figure. Followed by thousands wherever he went, Greatrakes was known for curing everything from cancer to leprosy and leukemia by the laying on of hands. His healing powers caused one of the great controversies of the age and brought him under the scrutiny of many of the great minds of the time, including scientist Robert Boyle and poet Andrew Marvell, both of whom vouched for his talent. Leonard discovered Greatrakes in a footnote, was struck, and six months later was in Ireland embarking on an eight-year odyssey of a lifetime. From a stolen harp in Oakland to an Irish street corner with Jasper the grave digger, to the Marquis of Hertford at his English manor, follow Leonard in his pursuit of the Irish healer.
Sunday, November 20, 2:00 pm
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Treasures of the McCune
Join us for a delightful afternoon at the McCune as Chair Judith Hilburg conducts tours of the vault and visitors enjoy an unusual opportunity to explore the unique and rare holdings of this extraordinary collection. Henry Evans 2012 calendars and note cards available for holiday gift-giving; enjoy light refreshments and congenial chat with fellow bibliophiles and literary enthusiasts!
