Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/3n203z095

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Memorabilia Collection, 1782-2008 (bulk 1866-1997): Finding Aid

AC053

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Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA
Phone: 609-258-6345
Fax: 609-258-3385
mudd@princeton.edu
http://www.princeton.edu/~mudd

©2006 Princeton University Library

Summary Information

Collector:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.
Title and dates:
Memorabilia Collection, 1782-2008 (bulk 1866-1997)
Abstract:
This collection contains over 1,500 items including mugs, pipes, canes, banners, hatbands, pins, jewelry, and other material collected by many individuals that document reunions, sporting events, student traditions, and other aspects of University life.
Size:
Approximately 158 linear feet (99 boxes, 7 banner bags, and 45 unboxed items, 18 of which are currently located in the Class of 1935 Room in the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library).
Call number:
AC053
Location:
Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.
Princeton University Archives.
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA
Language(s) of material:
English.
Storage note:
This collection is stored onsite at the Mudd Manuscript Library.

History of the Memorabilia Collection

The span of items in the Princeton Memorabilia Collection is quite broad, encompassing everything from jewelry to trophies to hats to pieces of campus buildings, past and present. Reunion-related memorabilia constitutes a large portion of the collection in keeping with the widespread support that Princeton Reunions enjoy. While there are a few items from the 18th century, such as a silver button engraved with "V 1782," worn by Richard N. Venable '82 at his graduation, most of the items in the collection date from the second half of the 19th century to the present.

Items of note include: a piece of the banister from Reunion Hall; a part of the exterior wall of Marquand Chapel; pieces of Nassau Hall, including a bell clapper; hatbands, ties, pins, buttons, or other items from almost every twentieth-century reunion class; a complete set of 1930 Wedgwood plates depicting campus buildings; pieces of goalposts from various football games; Whig and Clio medals; carved walking canes from the 19th century; the discus Robert Garrett threw to win a gold medal at the first modern (1896) Olympics; and nineteenth century clay pipes from the origins of the Cannon Green exercises.

Description

The clothing group includes handkerchiefs, hatbands, and neckties. Dishware includes plates, mugs, beer cans, and bottles, as well as ashtrays, cigarette cases, and class day pipes. The grounds and building memorabilia contains pieces of buildings, keys, and bells. Sports is comprised of tickets, trophies, awards, and cups. (Some of the larger silver cups listed on the item list are stored in the vault. These are designated with a V in the box category.) Series E has medals, patches, and pins, ribbons. Series F includes stamps, pins, a plaque and an umbrella. Series Z includes jewelry, canes and fans. (Some of memorabilia items are on permanent display at Mudd Library and the location of these is noted in the box category.) Some items are stored in a box from a different series simply because of size limitations. For instance, a metal tobacco sign is stored in Series C, Sports and Awards, simply because it did not fit in any of the tobacco boxes.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by broad category as follows: 250th Commemoration Memorabilia; Awards; Clothing; Dishware; Grounds and Buildings; Banners, Pennants, etc.; Medals; Pins, Ribbons, etc.; Sports and Awards; Tobacco; and Miscellaneous. Within each grouping, materials are arranged by type of item, for the most part. For example, all mugs are placed together within the Dishware group, all pipes within the Tobacco Items, etc.

Access and Use

Access

Collection is open for research use.

Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Copyright is held by the Trustees of Princeton University.

Other Finding Aid(s)

In addition to these two lists, the information is contained in a database which can be keyword searched: http://www.princeton.edu/mudd/search/memory.html.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

The collection was donated by hundreds of individuals over the course of several decades and continues to grow each year as additional items are received. Many individual items are marked with accession numbers which provide donor information..

Processing and Other Information

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Christina Aragon in 1998, Matt Brady in 1997, Joseph Faber in 1997, Sue-Jean Kim in 1996, Bogachin Sahin in 1998 from 1996-1998. Finding aid written by Christina Aragon in 1996-1998, Matt Brady in 1997, Joseph Faber in 1997, Sue-Jean Kim in 1996, Bogachin Sahin in 1998.

Descriptive Rules Used

Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

Encoding

Machine-readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002 by Techbooks and Cristela García-Spitz on December 23, 2006.

Finding aid written in English.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Princeton Memorabilia Collection, Box and Folder Number; University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Subject Headings

These materials have been indexed in the Princeton University Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.

Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:

Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/3n203z095

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