Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- John and Jane Adams Autograph Album Collection
- Dates:
- 1851-1933, bulk 1860-1890
- Creators:
- Adams Autograph Album Collection
- Extent:
- 1.67 Linear Feet
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of item, folder title, box number, John and Jane Adams Autograph Album Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection consists of 30 late Victorian autograph albums.
The albums in this collection (except one) all belonged to young ladies. Some have only a few entries; the majority have many pages filled out. The albums belonged to girls in numerous locations across the United States. Some albums have entries from a discrete group of people ("Normal Institute Class"), though most are made up of a variety of friends and family. Often it is apparent that the owner later filled in details about the signer, such as "Died cholera, 1866" in Hattie Churchill's album.
- Biographical / historical:
-
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.
- Acquisition information:
- John and Jane Adams
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged in alphabetical order by last name. Where possible, geographic location(s) have been noted, along with date span of entries. There are four albums at the end of the collection that lack the last names of their owners. There is one blank autograph book at the end of the collection.
- Accruals:
-
9999-143
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2020-11-04 10:52:27 -0800 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
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.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of item, folder title, box number, John and Jane Adams Autograph Album Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
Library and Information Access5500 Campanile DriveSan Diego, CA 92182-8050, US
- Contact:
- (619) 594-6791