University of Pennsylvania Libraries Presents LIFE IN BOXES: COMIC ART & ARTIFACTS

Business Wire, Oct 23, 2008

PHILADELPHIA -- While most ten-year-old boys were buying candy and baseball cards, Havertown native and University of Pennsylvania alumnus Steven Rothman was using his allowance to buy comic books. This early investment led to a life-long interest in comics, resulting in a recent donation to the Penn Libraries of 20,000 comic books and 5,000 graphic novels and related titles. A fraction of this mammoth collection comprises the exhibit Life in Boxes: Comic Art & Artifacts at the Kamin Gallery at the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center (3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104), on display from October 27 through March 22.

Bibliophile and book collector Steven Rothman is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a long-time member of the Council of the Friends of the Library at Penn and at Bryn Mawr College. "I am grateful to the University of Pennsylvania Rare Book and Manuscript Library," Rothman said, "for the opportunity to curate this exhibition. The project has allowed me to see just what can be started on a dime."

General Information:

The exhibition opens to the public on Monday, October 27, with a lecture by artist Charles Burns (in Meyerson Hall, 210 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104) and gallery remarks by Mr. Rothman (Kamin Gallery, address below).

Exhibition dates: October 27, 2008 - March 22, 2009.

Location: Kamin Gallery, first floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (photo ID required for admission to building; weekend visitors must make advance arrangements).