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The Ringling Archives Serve as Temporary Home for Selby Gardens Rare Botanical Collection Contact Name: Virginia Harshman Contact Email: virginia.harshman@ringling.org Contact Phone Number: 941-359-5700 Sarasota, Florida- In preparation for the start of construction of a new library, the Selby Gardens is working with the Archives at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to find temporary housing for their collection of rare botanical books and prints. Selby’s collection, which consists of 500 volumes dating from the mid-1700s and 2500 prints that are over 100 years old, was created in the 1970s by the Selby Foundation. Highlights of the collection include a complete set of Curtis’ Botanical Magazines, starting with edition 1, published in 1787 and a rare copy of The Orchidaceae of Mexico and Guatemala, (1837-1843). Bruce Holst, the Selby’s vice president for Botany, said “We are very pleased to be collaborating with the Ringling Archives in housing and preserving this important collection during our construction. We anticipate moving the collection into our new Plant Science Center and Library in 2022.” Heidi Connor, Chief archivist at the Ringling, said" The Ringling Archives is not a well-known department at the Ringling, but it is an integral part of the Museum. The Archives holds the records of the Museum; Ringling Family papers; photograph collections; Circus Arts, Wild West Shows and allied arts collections; and manuscripts. We will be happy to assist visitors and researchers with the Selby Collection.” Visitors should make an appointment to view items in the archives and may fill out a request form at ringling.org/archives. Archivists are available Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. # # # About The Ringling The Ringling is a pre-eminent center for the arts, history and learning that is dedicated to bringing the past and contemporary culture to life through extraordinary visitor experiences. From its inception, The Ringling has joined the diverse visual traditions and theatrical spectacle of yesterday with the genre-defying global practitioners of today. A place of exploration, discovery and respite, The Ringling’s campus in Sarasota, Florida – which includes the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, an historic mansion, an 18th-century theater and bayfront gardens – is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As the State Art Museum of Florida and part of Florida State University, The Ringling fulfills an important educational mission. The Ringling offers formal and informal programs of study serving as a major resource for students, scholars, and lifelong learners of every age within the region, across the country and around the world. Media Contacts: The Ringling Virginia Harshman Public relations specialist 941-359-5700 x2803 Virginia.harshman@ringling.org