Mr. Puffer served as a librarian at the University of Delaware beginning in 1964. During his time at UD, he helped build the library's collections, including some of its most important collections of rare books and manuscripts in Special Collections. During a period of growth in the library, he also was involved in the adoption of technology to acquisitions, cataloging and circulation. After a 28 year career, he retired from UD in 1992. 

Following his retirement, Mr. Puffer became an antiquarian bookseller. His firm, The Book Room, was based in Newark, Delaware, and specialized in 19th and 20th century American history, culture and life. When he retired from bookselling in 2010, he generously donated his personal collection as well as the remaining stock of the Book Room to the University of Delaware Library, where it is being cataloged as the Nathaniel H. Puffer Collection. 

That collection of more than 1,000 titles includes books published by the 19th century firm of Dick & Fitzgerald, etiquette books, ephemera, trade catalogs, directories, Americana and Delawareana, books related to education, domestic life, illustration, almanacs, gazetteers and more. Items from his collection have been exhibited at the Grolier Club in New York City, the Brandywine River Museum and Morris Library.

Among his many interests as a collector were pop-up and moveable books, or books with paper elements within the pages that may be manipulated by the reader. His collection of 400 pop-up books, now housed in Special Collections, was highlighted in an exhibition on the first floor of the Morris Library in 2022.

Colleagues remember

Some of Mr. Puffer’s colleagues shared their reflections.

Timothy Murray, retired head of Special Collections:

“Nat Puffer served as a librarian at the University of Delaware from 1964 until his retirement in 1992. For much of this period, Nat was involved in building the library's collections which, under his stewardship, evolved into an important research library. Nat played a pivotal role in developing the library's renowned Special Collections and over the years acquired some of its most important collections of rare books and manuscripts. 

"Following his retirement from the University of Delaware, Nat launched a second career as an antiquarian bookseller and when he left bookselling donated his extensive rare book and ephemera collection to Delaware's Special Collections where it serves as an important resource for students, faculty and scholars. Nat should also be heralded for his role as one of the founders in 1977 of the Delaware Bibliophiles, which continues to support book enthusiasts and collectors in Delaware and the surrounding region.  I had the pleasure of working with Nat towards the end of his  career at the University of Delaware and valued him as a dedicated, generous colleague and mentor.”

Judy Hamm, retired assistant director of library initiatives:

“Nat was very dedicated to the UD Library and building its collection. He was integral in helping to attain membership for the library in the Association of Research Libraries. Members of the University of Delaware Library Associates held him in high esteem. He was missed by many when he retired.”