At the New York Public Library

[barrysloate]

I was going to put this in the Lounge section, but I have a specific question about a tobacco card collection so I am posting here.

Yesterday was a glorious New York summer day, and my wife and I found ourselves at the New York Public Library. I hadn't been there in awhile but I always remember the great room on the third floor with the rows of glass display cases. Over the years I recall seeing, among other things, their T206 collection including a Wagner. Now it is just a reading room with everyone sitting at tables using wi-fi, and that's a big disappointment.

But here's the point of this story: there was a temporary exhibit downstairs with all kinds of printed matter, including some really neat British cigarette cards from the Arents Collection. I've never heard of it before, but while walking on the third floor I saw a room called the Arents Collection. Now if it has its own room, it must be pretty important, not to mention huge.

Has anyone heard of it? What do you know about the collection?