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Ephemera collection

 

The AIATSIS Library’s ephemera collection consists of a variety of print and non-print materials which are often associated with a particular event, such as an exhibition, performance, dinner, course or seminar, public gathering. Most categories are subject based but some are based on the format of the item regardless of any subject content, for example textiles.

 Art exhibition invitation cards

 

 

 

Badges

The print items in the collection are listed in the index under broad subject categories with individual items listed alphabetically in most cases by organization and sometimes by title. Non-print items are listed by format.

Occasionally multiple copies of an item may be found under more than one category, for example bookmarks produced by AIATSIS. A separate subject category has been reserved for Torres Strait islands material.

 

 

History of the AIATSIS Library Ephemera Collection

 

The emphasis of the AIATSIS Ephemera collection was historically on paper-based ephemera. The Ephemera Collection began in the 1970s when information flyers and brochures being sent to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies [AIAS) as it was then known then, were forwarded on to the Library by AIAS staff. Additionally AIAS researchers donated items they had collected on research field trips.

 

 

T-shirts and badges

Over time various non paper items such as T-shirts, tea towels, caps and badges have been donated and these, too, have been added to the ephemera collection. The badge collection is an interesting aspect of the Ephemera collection and, along with the T-shirts, are two non-paper areas in which the collection is growing.

 

 

In 2002 the AIATSIS Library actively sought the donation of invitations to openings of Indigenous art exhibitions from art galleries around the country. Indigenous performing arts groups were also approached for promotional material for performances. The invitation to art exhibitions section of the Ephemera Collection now makes up the majority of the Collection. A few of the earlier rare print ephemera are catalogued individually on the Library catalogue Mura as rare pamphlets.

 

 

Bookmarks and postcards

Donations to the collection are always welcomed. Items particularly sought are leaflets, badges or T-shirts expressing political or social concerns, invitations to art exhibitions, performance or cultural festival fliers, brochures, badges or T-shirts documenting the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

 

Accessing the Ephemera collection

All items in the collection are housed in the Closed Access Stack. To view a particular item submit a request card detailing information about the item from the index.

 

Click here to download Ephemera Index (PDF 1.08MB)

  

 

 

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