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Mellini (Peter)
M1838
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Peter Mellini Vanity Fair caricature collection
source:
Mellini, Peter
Identifier/Call Number: M1838
Physical Description:
4.21 Linear Feet
1 manuscript box, 1 flat box
Date (inclusive): 1870-1957
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36-48 hours in advance. For more
information on paging collections, see the department's website: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/spc.html.
Abstract: This collection contains lithorgraphic caricature and character portratis from the English weekly Vanity Fair and 850 slides
of various caricatures, dating from the late nineteenth century to mid-twentieth century. It also contains three printed caricatures
by Robert Searle from PUNCH.
Open for research. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
The Mellini Vanity Fair Collection comprises lithograph caricatures and character portraits from the English weekly "Vanity
Fair," along with subsequent reproductions, three printed caricatures in the "Vanity Fair" style by Ronald Searle from "Punch,"
and a collection of 892 photographic slides of the "Vanity Fair" images and the exhibits showcasing them.
This collection was given by Peter Mellini to Stanford University, Special Collections in November 2010.
[identification of item], Peter Mellini Vanity Fair caricature collection, M1838. Dept. of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
This collection was donated by Professor Peter Mellini, Professor Modern European History, Sonoma State University, retired.
Mellini co-authored the book, In ‘Vanity Fair’. This collection consists of lithographic caricatures and character portraits
from the English turn-of-the-century society magazine Vanity Fair as well as three Ronald Searle prints from PUNCH.
Vanity Fair magazine was created by Thomas Gibson Bowles and featured celebrities from all walks of life. Immortalized by
artists like “Ape”, “Spy”, and Max Beerbohm, these caricatures have been called “more like the person they depict than the
persons themselves.” From 1869 to 1914 each issue of Vanity Fair featured a color print of a prominent individual. At first
these comic portraits were a popular novelty; then they became an English institution. They set a style, were a landmark in
the development of mass color lithography, and constitute a unique visual record of the Victorian and Edwardian era. In many
cases the Vanity Fair cartoon created the public’s image of a celebrity. In all, nearly 2400 cartoons were published in Vanity
Fair.
This collection consists of lithographic caricatures and character portraits and three printed caricatures from PUNCH. In
addition to the prints, there are 850 slides of caricature images.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Caricatures.
Vanity fair (London, England : 1868).
Mellini, Peter