Agricultural Technology Manuals Collection, 1850-1991

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Summary

Creators:
University of California, Davis. Library
Abstract:
Manuals created by manufacturers to assist in the operation, maintenance, repair, or restoration of agricultural machinery.
Extent:
74 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Agricultural Technology Manuals Collection, O-011, Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

For this collection, a manual is defined as an illustrated handbook used to assemble, operate, repair, or restore machinery. It may include parts books if the parts are depicted together functionally. Except where noted, all manuals are originals, not facsimiles or reprints. The collection is limited to farm machinery (from a simple garden plow to power farming machines) and some construction machinery (primarily road construction). It does not include automobiles, urban vehicles (i.e., milk trucks, delivery trucks, fire engines), or houseware (i.e., sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, radios).

The collection is not limited by geography or by date. Though items date from 1865 to 1982, the bulk of the collection covers U.S. manufacturers from 1930 to 1960.

Biographical / historical:

The Agricultural Technology Manuals Collection began as a series in the F. Hal Higgins Collection. In 1927 F. Hal Higgins began collecting materials relating to the history of combines and tractors. Over time the collection expanded to include materials describing farm implements, farm commodities, and equipment for logging, earthmoving and construction.

The Library, University of California, Davis acquired Higgins' collection in 1959. Regular patron use of the collection indicated a strong interest in the manuals for tractors and other farm machinery. In order to better serve patrons, Library staff shelved the manuals together as they were found in the collection. This arrangement also made it easier to acquire new titles. In 1983, the manuals that had been accumulated in the F. Hal Higgins collection were removed from the collection and organized as the Agricultural Technology Manuals Collection.

Acquisition information:
Original materials acquired from F. Hal Higgins, 1959.
Accruals:

Newly acquired manuals are regularly added to the Agricultural Technology Manuals Collection. Manuals have come from donations from the National Agricultural Library, UCD Antique Mechanics Club, local farm equipment dealers, and private collectors.

Physical location:
Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All applicable copyrights for the collection are protected under chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code. Requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California as the owner of the physical items. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Agricultural Technology Manuals Collection, O-011, Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
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