Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Unknown James Fenimore Cooper: A Letter Explaining Why He Petitioned to Have His Name Changed.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05258.02 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Newspaper Date: October 1890 Pagination: 1 clipping in 2 pieces ; 21 x 5.5 cm. Order a Copy

Newspaper article that details a letter written by Cooper that was found in which Cooper petitions to add Fenimore to his name. Prints Cooper's letter in full. Date added in pencil at a later time.

Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

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