Book, Writing, and Photographic Artifacts collection, circa 1840-2000

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Summary

Abstract:
The collection, created primarily as a teaching collection, consists of materials meant to be actively used to illustrate the history and techniques of various writing and print systems across the globe, including reproductions, souvenirs, and original specimens of printing and writing tools and instruments, as well as various formats of book and manuscript binding. The collection also includes examples of various photographic prints meant to demonstrate historical photographic processes. Materials in the collection were collected by Special Collections staff to aid with instruction on the history of the book and various writing, print, and photographic technologies and processes.
Extent:
13.02 linear feet (12 boxes)
Language:
The collection is mainly in English , with some artifacts also containing writing in other scripts.
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [date if possible]. Book, Writing, and Photographic Artifacts collection (MS 417). Special Collections & University Archives, University of California, Riverside.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection, created primarily as a teaching collection, consists of materials meant to be actively used to illustrate the history and techniques of various writing and print systems across the globe, including reproductions, souvenirs, and original specimens of printing and writing tools and instruments, as well as various formats of book and manuscript binding. The collection also includes examples of various photographic prints meant to demonstrate historical photographic processes.

Materials in the collection were collected by Special Collections staff to aid with instruction on the history of the book and various writing, print, and photographic technologies and processes.

Items in the collection include early writing artifacts such as a cuneiform tablet, various seals, a wax tablet and samples of paper, papyrus and vellum; book formats such as a scroll, palm leaf manuscript, bamboo book, and printed books; and various printing techniques including moveable type, woodblocks, and various types of printing plates. The collection also includes two cased daguerreotypes.

Acquisition information:
The collection was created by Special Collections staff over time through a variety of sources, some with unknown provenance.
Processing information:

Processed by Jessica Geiser, Collections Management Librarian, and Robin M. Katz, Primary Source Literary Librarian, 2018.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into the following five series as follows:

  • Series 1. Writing and printing surfaces, undated
  • Series 2. Writing technologies, undated
  • Series 3. Book formats, undated
  • Series 4. Printing technologies, undated
  • Series 5. Photographic processes, circa 1840-1860
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright Unknown: Some material in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [date if possible]. Book, Writing, and Photographic Artifacts collection (MS 417). Special Collections & University Archives, University of California, Riverside.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Riverside - Special Collections and University Archives
P.O. Box 5900
Riverside, CA 92517-5900, US
Contact:
(951) 827-3233
specialcollections@ucr.edu
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