The Preston Player Collection

An outstanding gathering of rare books, maps and prints pertaining to the early history of the Mississippi River were compiled by Preston Player.

Upon Player's death, in the 1930s the collection came to Knox College. It is a remarkable complement to the Finley Collection and brings the era of early exploration into focus.

The Player Collection centers on the discovery, history, commerce and culture of the Mississippi River from De Soto to Mark Twain. Maps dating as early as 1694 and lithographs of cities that border the river are unique elements of the collection. Around thirty Currier and Ives prints of the river, paddle wheel steamboats and town views are also included in the collection.

Map of the United States, taken from Baird's View of the Valley of the Mississippi, 1834.