Collection Guide
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Fowler (Robert) underground comics collection
M2090
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Robert Fowler underground comics collection
source:
Fowler, Robert
Identifier/Call Number: M2090
Physical Description:
65 Linear Feet
(127 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1968-2010
Date (bulk): 1970s-1990s
Abstract: Thousands of underground comics (aka comix), assembled by collector Robert Fowler.
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Collection consists of approximately 4000 underground comic books (also known as "comix"), mostly from the 1970s through the
1990s. Represented in the collection are thousands of authors. Roughly two-thirds of the collection is single issue comics,
with the other third made up of multi-issue series. Topics and genres reflected include politics, sexuality, hippies, drugs,
fantasy, erotica, and science fiction. Some might also be classified as graphic novels. Some are reprints, others are signed
copies, and a few are annotated lightly with notes and corrections. Most are in very good condition. Publishers include Rip
Off Press, Print Mint, Last Gasp, Fantagraphics, Kitchen Sink, and Drawn & Quarterly, as well as many others, including self-published
works and many obscure titles from Great Britain.
What follows is a very basic listing of titles, numbers, and dates. More specific information about holdings within the Fowler
collection can be found in his listings available here: https://purl.stanford.edu/wz738tf7419. With some exceptions, issues
are sorted according to his alphabetical scheme. Some series are grouped together despite varying issue titles, while others
were filed according to issue title. Additionally, some titles were filed by most distinctive title element (i.e. skipping
"Tales of..." or "Adventures of...").
[identification of item], Robert Fowler underground comics collection (M2090). Dept. of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization
to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction
beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/spc/using-collections/permission-publish
Robert Fowler grew up in Los Altos, California and began collecting comics while at the Claremont Colleges (1966-1970), beginning
with Zap Comix and the Young Lust series. Fowler started keeping a database of his comics collection between 1977-1980 while
working as a computer programmer at Byte Shop #12 in Pasadena. He collected most of his comics between 1980 and 1998, though
he continued to collect until 2014.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Robert Fowler, 2014.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Comic books, strips, etc. -- Periodicals.
Underground comic books, strips, etc.
Fowler, Robert