Wessen, Ernest James, 1887-1974

Ernest J. Wessen was an antiquarian book dealer whose particular interest lay in America. His catalog entitled "Midland Notes," represented a model of it's kind, combining scolarships and humor.

From the guide to the Ernest James Wessen Collection, 1961-1968, (Ohio University)

Ernest "Ernie" James Wessen (1887-1974) was a bibliographer and an antiquarian book dealer, proprietor of the Midland Rare Book Co. (Mansfield, Ohio). His particular interest lay in Americana and the company's series of dealer catalogs was known as Midland Notes.

Jacob Nathaniel Blanck (1906-1974) was the rare book editor of Publishers Weekly and Antiquarian Bookman (1936-1952), bibliographer in Americana at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (1939-1941), consultant on bibliography at the Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis (1942), and editor of the Bibliography of American Literature (BAL, 1943-1974). Blanck was a friend and colleague of Ernie Wessen.

From the description of Ernest James Wessen correspondence with Jacob Blanck, 1944-1973. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612788807

Bookdealer and book collector.

Born in Lewiston, Maine in 1887. Began collecting books at an early age, and became an antiquarian bookdealer. Published the catalog "Midland notes" in Mansfield, Ohio. These booksellers' catalogs are reputed to be among the best of their kind.

From the description of Ernest J. Wessen collection, 1961-1968. (Ohio University). WorldCat record id: 27235067

Ernest "Ernie" James Wessen (1887-1974) was a bibliographer and an antiquarian book dealer, proprietor of the Midland Rare Book Co. (Mansfield, Ohio) . His particular interest lay in Americana and the company's series of dealer catalogs was known as Midland Notes. He was married to Yetta Wessen and their daughter was Ruth Wessen Bunting (Mrs. John Bunting).

Jacob Nathaniel Blanck (1906-1974) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Selig and Mildred Rosenberg (Friedman) Blanck. He was married to Stella Ursula Balicer Blanck. He was the rare book editor of Publishers Weekly and Antiquarian Bookman (1936-1952), bibliographer in Americana at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (1939-1941), consultant on bibliography at the Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis (1942), and editor of the Bibliography of American Literature (BAL, 1943-1974). He also edited the third and fourth volumes of Merle Johnson's American First Editions (1936, 1942) and published four books, including two children's books. Blanck was a friend and colleague of Ernie Wessen.

From the guide to the Ernest James Wessen correspondence with Jacob Blanck, 1944-1973., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)