Dr. Frank Piskor and the SLU Libraries
I would like to provide a perspective on Frank Piskor and his contributions to the SLU Libraries. When I first started at St. Lawrence I became acquainted with Frank, when he simply showed up in the Library Office one day with a parcel of books to give to the Library for the Rare Book Collection. Theresa O'Reilly introduced us and he quickly explained his interest in Robert Frost and the ongoing collecting he was doing for the Frost Collection. I soon began to think of Frank as the Robert Frost Bibliographer for the Owen D. Young Library! In those days (the late 90's), Frank would provide a gift at least once a year; and come by to chat with Theresa and I about his latest acquisition. Of course, when we did the renovation in 98/99 we were happy to relocate all of our rare books and special collections into the Anne and Frank Piskor Rare Book Reading Room. Frank was a very active member of the FODYLL Board and made possible some very special acquisitions over the last ten years. He was always able to make things happen for the Library, including, of course, initiating the conversation that lead to the endowment for FODYLL acquisitions that is, and will be, a long term benefit to the libraries and university. Late this fall, we had another FODYLL Board meeting which Frank attended, and he was happy to suggest that we continue to publish the FODYLL Bulletin in print, and not go electronic--as I had suggested.
Frank Piskor was a multifaceted man with many community interests and commitments, so I was able to witness just a part of his good work in our various communities. But it certainly makes me proud to be associated with a college that his a man like Frank Piskor as a well-regarded emeritus President. He presence will continue to be felt for a very long time inside the walls of the Owen D. Young Library, as well as in the community at large.
Bart Harloe, University Librarian, 3/10/06
Highlighted Gifts from Frank P. Piskor to Special Collections, SLU Libraries
Collections
- The Frank P Piskor collection of Robert Frost Over 450 books and manuscripts by and about one of America ’s most famous poets
- The Frank P. Piskor collection of Edwin Arlington Robinson Over 75 books and manuscripts.
- Marianne Moore Collection 28 books and manuscripts of this American Poet. Images from Moore's correspondence: Here & Here
- John DePol Collection Christmas cards, menus, announcements, prints, illustrated books and other engraved materials done by American wood engraver John DePol between the years of 1947 and 1993 along with some biographical material about DePol and some correspondence between him and Dr. Piskor
A Sampling of Titles:
- Kelmscott Chaucer Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Kelmscott Press, 1896 PR1850 1896 1980. Gift of Frank & Anne Piskor and George & Mildred Calder
- Pennyroyal Caxton Bible The Holy Bible : containing all the books of the Old and New Testaments. North Hatfield , MA : Pennyroyal Caxton Press, 1999 BS185 1999 .N67 "Gift of Frank P. Piskor in memory of Anne Calder Piskor"
- Virgil. Virgile les Géorgiques. /ill. by Aristide Maillol. Paris : P. Gonin, 1950. PA6809.G4 D45 1950. 2 volume set limited to 700 copies issued in slip cases. Gift of Frank P. Piskor in 1985
- Newman, John Henry. Apologia Pro Vita Sua. London : Longmans…, 1864. BX4705.N5 A3 1864b
- Forshaw, Joseph M. Kingfishers and related birds. NY: Lansdowne, 1983-1995. QL696.C7 F67 1983 6 volume edition limited to 1000 copies; signed by the author and by the illustrator.
