James D. Phelan California Authors Collection

Founded through a bequest from San Francisco Mayor James D. Phelan in 1934, this collection numbers over 1,500 volumes. Books, manuscripts, typescripts, portraits and photographs of such writers as George Sterling, Ambrose Bierce, Gertrude Atherton, Frank Norris, Ina Coolbrith, and Edwin Markham are included, as well as first editions of the novels of Jack London. The George L. Gary Collection of Bret Harte is located here. The collection also includes late twentieth century writers.