The Clements Library’s gorgeous architecture designed by Detroit-based architect Albert Kahn has been the subject of many pieces of University of Michigan memorabilia over the years. The building has been depicted in many illustrations, photographs, and, as described here, a plate, tile, and place mat!
Wedgwood Plates
In the late 1920’s, following the creation of Harvard University fine china, the University of Michigan along with many other schools had Wedgwood plates created depicting famous scenes on campus. Twelve spots around the U-M campus were highlighted including the University Hospital, the Women’s League (now known simply as the League), the Michigan Union, and, of course, the William L. Clements Library.
In December of 1930, the plates were advertised in the Michigan Daily ad “Christmas Presents with a distinct Michigan character.” The sets of 12 plates could be purchased at the Alumni Association and the Alumni Memorial Hall for $15, or $20 for a “Collectors Sets.”
The “Christmas Presents with a distinct Michigan character,” including the plate depicting the Clements Library, were advertised in the Michigan Daily and sold at the Alumni Association building and the Alumni Memorial Hall. Michigan Daily Digital Archives, December 18, 1930 (vol. 41, iss. 69), via the Bentley Historical Library, the Michigan Daily, & the U-M Library.
Senior Ball Favors
Between the 1930s and 1950s, the University of Michigan hosted many dances for students, particularly the Junior and Senior students who could attend a “J-Hop” and the “Senior Ball.” The 1932 Senior Ball was arranged by multiple committees who brought Isham Jones’ band to perform at the dance held on May 27. The Dean’s office granted permission to women attendees to stay out past curfew, seeing as the dance started at 10 pm.
As women had strict curfews at the University of Michigan until 1962, permission had to be granted to allow women to attend the Senior Ball. Michigan Daily Digital Archives, May 26, 1932 (vol. 42, iss. 172), via the Bentley Historical Library, the Michigan Daily, & the U-M Library.
The day prior to the dance, the Michigan Daily ran a notice stating that ticket holders could present their stub at various places around campus to receive “favors.” While it’s not stated what these favors were exactly, we have a hunch that this tile depicting the Clements Library may have been one of them based on the inscription on the back tying it to the 1932 Senior Ball!
Gage Linen Shop
In the 1950s, graduates were encouraged to visit The Gage Linen Shop and purchase a set of four cloth place mats, matching napkins, and a center mat featuring fine architecture and memorable buildings on the University of Michigan campus. The place mat buildings included the William L. Clements Library, Angell Hall, Alumni Memorial Hall (now part of the U-M Museum of Art), and the Engineering Arch; the center mat showed the Burton Memorial Tower.
The mats came in 13 “decorator shades,” including baby blue. William L. Clements Library example courtesy Pat Ryckman and the late James R. “Jim” Ryckman (1934-2011), U-M alum and career biometrician for the U-M/DNR cooperative Institute for Fisheries Research.
In the 1950s, graduates were encouraged to visit The Gage Linen Shop and purchase a set of four cloth place mats, matching napkins, and a center mat featuring fine architecture and memorable buildings on the University of Michigan campus. The place mat buildings included the William L. Clements Library, Angell Hall, Alumni Memorial Hall (now part of the U-M Museum of Art), and the Engineering Arch; the center mat showed the Burton Memorial Tower.
Located at 11 Nickels Arcade from the late 1930s, The Gage Linen Shop was run by Elizabeth Mack née Gage (1892-1987) for 24 years before it closed its doors 1962.
“Attention Graduates!” In 1951, The Gage Linen Shop placed this ad in the University of Michigan’s Yearbook Michiganensian (p. 469), showing the mats in use, napkins folded over the eating utensils.
