Description
This collection consists of 30 late Victorian autograph albums.
Background
Autograph albums, also known as "charm" albums, "forget-me-not albums," or "memory books," were a popular pastime in America
during the second half of the nineteenth century. These albums were small blank books that were sometimes decorated with attractive
chromolithographs or engravings, or colored paper. Friends, acquaintances, school chums, and family would write brief sentimental
verses (often original) or wishes of remembrance to the owner of the album. The inscriber would often sign with a flourish
or draw or color a picture to make his or her entry unique and memorable. These albums were often also used to keep pressed
flowers, locks of hair, bits of ephemera, and photographs.
Restrictions
Some of these materials are in the public domain. However, the nature of historical archival and manuscript collections means
that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained
in the collection or their heirs. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections,
San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections
as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must
also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and
private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement
of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Availability
This collection is open for research.