Nancy Drew graces the covers of books upon books tucked on shelves at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.
Now the popular fictional detective will adorn its walls, too.
The original illustration for the fifth volume of the Nancy Drew mystery stories will be unveiled today as the newest addition to the library's art collection.
The painted cover art used for The Secret at Shadow Ranch novel first published in 1931 is now part of the library's Robert L. and Posy Huebner Children's Illustration Collection at the Main Library downtown.
The book is one that Toledo's Millie Benson wrote under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene.
"Nancy Drew is probably one of the best known children's book series ever," said Nancy Eames, the library's youth services coordinator."The books Millie wrote have been read and reread. It's one of those books that gets passed down by generations."
Ms. Benson wrote 23 of the first 25 Nancy Drew mysteries.
A newspaper reporter, Ms. Benson started with the Toledo Times in 1944, then became a reporter for The Blade in 1975 when the Times ceased publication.
She died in 2002 at age 96.
The original cover of The Secret at Shadow Ranch depicts Nancy Drew riding a horse in a ranch setting.
"It's very distinctive," children's librarian Cindy Vanderbrink said. "The style is definitely Nancy Drew."
The illustration will be officially unveiled at a 1 p.m. celebration of the Huebner Children's Illustration Collection's fifth anniversary in the children's library.
The event also will include the unveiling of another cover of Bob Barner's Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar. Mr. Barner will give a presentation.
The library is calling the Nancy Drew original cover one of the most significant illustrations ever acquired.
The painting was purchased in March through an online auction by Swann Auction Gallery in New York. It sold for $9,500 and was purchased with donor funds.
A local history manager for the library came across the illustration in the winter and notified the library management.
They had previously looked for an original Nancy Drew cover, but learned that the artist, Russell H. Tandy, had a house fire in 1962 that was believed to have destroyed most of the artwork. He created 26 of the early covers for Nancy Drew.
"We gave up then, thinking there was no way," Ms. Eames said.
When they came across this cover, the library got permission to buy it with the private donor money for the Huebner collection.
It is the 130th piece in the Huebner collection that now includes 16 covers.
Most pieces in the collection have been purchased for $1,000 to $3,000, with some donated. This is the most expensive piece.
The painting will be on display until the end of the year when it will be sent to Oberlin College for restoration and preservation.
Some of the paint is flaking off the letters in the title and there is a small hole, but it is otherwise in fine condition.
"I think people will be impressed," Ms. Vanderbrink said. "They'll be excited about it."
Contact Meghan
Gilbert-Cunningham at:
mcunningham@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.
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