July 23, 2014 Library of Congress Junior Fellows Display Collection Treasures

The Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Interns today presented more than 100 rare and unique items from 21 Library divisions. The display provides the opportunity for fellows to discuss the historic significance of the collection items they have researched, processed and—in some cases—unearthed during their 10-week internship. Examples include:

• A collection of Mayan “poison flasks” dating between 600-900 C.E. that contained physical evidence of tobacco in the ancient culture
• A rare 16th-century edition of “Mishneh Torah,” a code of Jewish law considered to be the magnum opus of prominent rabbi Moses Maimonides
• A rare 17th-century hand-illuminated Persian manuscript
• Examples of pulp fiction from the 1930s
• A letter from Winston Churchill’s daughter-in-law, Pamela Digby Churchill, to American diplomat W. Averell Harriman (her future spouse), describing the events of June 6, 1944 (termed D-Day), the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II
• A check from Marilyn Monroe to actor, director and acting teacher Lee Strasberg for $90, Aug. 10, 1955
• An audition sheet showing Al Pacino’s first audition for the Actors Studio, 1961
• Examples of popular comic book editions featuring Batman and the Green Lantern

Working under the direction of Library curators and specialists in various divisions, 40 Junior Fellows—selected from more than 900 applicants across the country—explored the institution’s unparalleled collections and resources. They were exposed to a broad spectrum of library work: copyright, preservation, reference, access, standards, information management and digital initiatives.

The Junior Fellows Program is made possible through the generosity of the late Mrs. Jefferson Patterson and the Knowledge Navigators Trust Fund, with additional support provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts. A lead gift from H. F. (Gerry) Lenfest, chairman of the Library’s James Madison Council private-sector advisory group, established the Knowledge Navigators Trust Fund with major support provided by members of the council.

Junior Fellows Program display artifacts will be on exhibit from Monday, July 28 to Aug. 16, in three display cases on the first floor of the Great Hall in the Thomas Jefferson Building.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs, publications and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov.