CA-463 Ex Libris Alethea Serpell
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Title in Caroline Armington’s etching record book: Ex Libris Alethea Serpell
Year: 1930
Number: 463
Size:
States: 1
Title on Print: Ex Libris; Alethea Serpell
Initials or Signature in Plate: C. ARMINGTON 1930 l.l.
Planned Edition: Not recorded
Total Number of Impressions: 325
Number in Pencil: Not numbered
Signature in Pencil: Caroline Armington
Dedication:
Caroline Armington’s etching record book contains the following notes for this print:
902 Westover Av., Norfolk, Va.
2 for Frank on old paper.
303 printed for Miss Serpell
20 extra all signed
Price in Caroline Armington’s etching record book: none.
Plate:
Collections:
Exhibitions:
Publications:
Comments:
Prints seem to be signed in pen.
Miss Alethea Serpell (1870–1935) was a prominent Virginia civic leader, historic preservationist, and collector. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, she was highly influential in early 20th-century historical societies and community organizations.
She served as the Vice President of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. In 1928, she originated and executed the plan to dedicate a historical tablet at the London docks to commemorate the departure of the ships that founded Virginia.
She was a prominent member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as the Regent of the Norfolk-based Great Bridge Chapter of the DAR from 1926 to 1928 and represented her chapter at national congresses. She also attained the rank of Virginia State DAR Regent. She gained admission to that society through the patriotic service of her great-grandfather, Captain Leonard Deakins.
She was the President of the Council of Assembly of Tidewater Virginia Women and was highly involved with the Norfolk Society of Arts.
Serpell was an avid collector of historical and religious documents. Her private library at 902 Westover Avenue in Norfolk contained rare pieces, including a fragmentary 15th-century Italian liturgical manuscript (an Antiphonarium), which was cataloged in the landmark Census of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the United States and Canada.