Dr. Donald H. Cresswell, an esteemed historian and co-owner of the Philadelphia Print Shop, passed away on June 19 at the age of 84 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was under the compassionate care of Crossroads Hospice at the time of his passing.
Cresswell, alongside Christopher Lane, operated the Philadelphia Print Shop initially from 1982 to 1987 at 8405 Germantown Avenue before relocating to 8441 Germantown Avenue, where it remained until its purchase and subsequent relocation in 2020.
In addition to his work at the print shop, Cresswell gained recognition as an appraiser on the PBS series ‘Antiques Roadshow.’ He authored a number of scholarly books and articles, and had a significant career as a university librarian and visiting lecturer.
Nancy H. Nitzberg, Cresswell’s wife, shared her final moments with him: “The last thing I said to Don was, ‘Will you think about all the places we have been and all the happy times in your life?’ and he responded, ‘Yes.’ Then we held hands for a few days. The medical staff assured me that Don could hear me, even if he did not respond.”
Nitzberg, who holds a master’s degree in library service from Columbia University, has run a successful bookbinding business named Book-Care for the past 33 years. She and Cresswell first crossed paths in 1990 at an antiquarian book fair in Center City.
Reflecting on her first impressions of Cresswell, Nitzberg remarked on his gentlemanly demeanor and friendly personality, noting, “He was highly intelligent and well-educated without being aloof or status-conscious. He was warmly welcomed by my extended family due to his friendliness and interest in others, not to mention much fun to be around. In fact, he was the Chestnut Hill Santa Claus one year and loved being in that role!”
Cresswell’s childhood in Washington D.C. profoundly influenced his career path. Born to a father who worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Cresswell often rode his bicycle with friends to the National Mall to admire the country’s significant landmarks. Nitzberg explained that this environment sparked his enduring interest in American history: “It was part of his oxygen. Washington, D.C., was his childhood playground.”
After earning a doctoral degree in American History and American Studies from George Washington University, Cresswell returned to Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. Here, he transitioned from a student, where he graduated with a degree in English Literature, to becoming the library director. In addition to his role as director, Cresswell taught an advanced course in American Intellectual History for three years and worked as a rare-books librarian at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Following his time in North Carolina, Cresswell moved to Philadelphia to work as a catalog editor for a book and print firm. He provided appraisals and consultations for clients, which ultimately led him to partner with Lane in establishing the Philadelphia Print Shop, focusing on historic prints and antique maps. Together, they traversed the country showcasing their pieces at antique shows and gained recognition as professional appraisers on ‘Antiques Roadshow.’
The partnership between Cresswell and Lane flourished for over three decades before amicably parting ways in 2014, when Lane relocated to Denver to manage Philadelphia Print Shop West.
Lane fondly remembered Cresswell, stating, “Don was a real gentleman, a very kind person. I was very lucky to be partners with him for over 30 years. Neither of us had run a business when we started PPS in 1982. Don was a great partner. We planned to sign a partnership agreement in the beginning, but did not get around to it for over a year. We never had any major disagreement and both believed in running the shop in an honest and academic manner. As I said, I was very lucky.”
In a 2019 interview, marking his retirement, Cresswell expressed what he cherished most about his work: “My favorite thing has been conversing with the intelligent people who shop here. I have also had the wonderful experience of having many fine, hardworking, and loyal staff members over the years.”
The Philadelphia Print Shop was sold in 2020 to David Mackey, a commercial real estate broker, who relocated it to 209 W. Lancaster Ave. in Wayne. Mackey recognized the shop’s esteemed reputation, stating, “The Philadelphia Print Shop has earned a national and distinguished reputation for its extensive collection of fine prints and historical maps. When it closed, I saw an opportunity to combine the business with my hobby and passion for collecting and selling antique maps.”
Throughout his career, Cresswell made noteworthy contributions to the field of history through his publications. His early work includes a 1975 book, “The American Revolution in Drawings and Prints: A Checklist of 1765-1790 Graphics in the Library of Congress,” as well as a major reference book issued by the Library of Congress on prints, maps, and drawings from the American Revolution period. In collaboration with Lane and Carolyn R. Cades, he co-authored “The A to Z of Antique Prints & Maps” in 2002.
Beyond his book publications, Cresswell wrote numerous papers and book reviews, delivered public addresses at conferences, and served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania in its Historic Preservation program. Additionally, he co-authored “Prints of Philadelphia…Featuring the Wohl Collection” in 1990, further solidifying his reputation in the field.
Cresswell and Nitzberg, who also held the position of director of Library Services at Gratz College from 2014 to 2018, had no children together. In a final act of generosity, Cresswell donated his body to the Humanity Gifts Registry of Pennsylvania, with the intention of helping educate medical students in Philadelphia.
In lieu of flowers, Cresswell requested that donations be made in his name to The Library Company of Philadelphia, where he was an active shareholder.
For more information about the Philadelphia Print Shop, interested parties can visit philaprintshop.com.
Len Lear can be contacted at [email protected].
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