The Clements Library Graphics Division is excited to share three new finding aids that have been in the works for a long time. Combined, these three collections hold over 17,000 unique items and continue to grow with new items being added regularly!
General Ephemera Collection, 1700s-1900s
The General Ephemera Collection consists of approximately 14,500 items representing over fifty different genres of ephemeral material relating to numerous aspects of American history and culture. Ephemera and realia of all nature are present in the collection, including: paper advertisements (like trade cards and pamphlets); currency, stocks, and bonds; billheads and receipts; business, visiting, and dance cards; calendars; theatre and event programs; greeting cards, postcards, and stamps; crate, can, and cigar labels; and more.
Travel Ephemera Collection, ca. 1800s-2000
In the Travel Ephemera Collection, researchers will find a wide variety of ephemera documenting travel in the United States and across the world. Organized by location or modes of travel, the collection includes viewbooks, pamphlets, brochures, advertisements, maps, souvenirs, and more. The collection includes material from 48 states and 28 countries, plus items documenting travel by plane, bus, trolley, subway, ship, train, and car.
Games and Toys Collection, ca. 1800-1950
The Games and Toys Collection included card games, board games, puzzles, playing cards, and various other types of activity games dating from approximately 1800 to 1950. Major game publishers, who still dominate the market today, are well represented in the collection, including McLoughlin Bros., Milton Bradley & Co., and Parker Brothers. Many of the 100+ year old games and toys in the collection will be familiar as they are still popular today. Of note in the collection, is an early copy of “Mansions of Happiness,” the first board game produced in the United States.
