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List 02. Archival Collections Related to Artifacts of Play

 Record Group
Identifier: List 02
Collections within the archives that relate to playthings, collectors, traditional toy and game companies, and other materials that provide unique windows into the many facets of play.

Found in 135 Collections and/or Records:

Susan Sofia-McIntire papers

 Collection
Identifier: 122.5986
Abstract

The Susan Sofia-McIntire papers document the career of soft toy designer Susan Sofia [Susan Sofia-McIntire] including products developed for Hasbro, Mattel, Tyco and others. The majority of the materials are sewing patterns. The collection also includes notes, sketches, fabric swatches, design specifications, and digital files. The materials date from 1992 to 2022 with the bulk dating from 1992 to 2001

Dates: 1992-2022; Majority of material found within 1992-2001

Glynn family papers

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: 1986.glynn
Abstract

This collection documents the life of the Glynn family from Massachusetts, Al and Maxine. The materials are dated from 1923 to 1942 and consist of diaries, ephemera, and correspondence.

Dates: 1923-1942

Harwood Short Line Railroad papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 107.1069]
Identifier: 107.1069
Abstract

This collection documents Charles Sr. and Elizabeth Shook's creation of an O-gauge electric train layout in their Dobb's Ferry, New York home. The materials date from 1997 to 2007. The collection consists of newspaper clippings, articles, scrapbooks, a track template, and a DVD.

Dates: 1998-2007

Bob Weisman Rubik’s Cube collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 116.5022
Abstract

This collection contains materials relating to Rubik’s Cube from Bob Weisman, former Promotional Manager at Ideal Toy Corporation, during the height of the Rubik’s Cube craze. The bulk of the materials in this collection are from 1980 and 1981.

Dates: 1908; 1980 - 1984; Majority of material found within 1980 - 1981

Stephen K. Desroches papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2018.desroches
Abstract

The Stephen K. Desroches papers provide a unique perspective of male childhood in the 1980s and 1990s. Materials in this collection exhibit creative activities, including homemade books, sticker books, photo albums, scrapbooks, and correspondence to pen pals and holiday characters. Additional items in this collection document events attended by Desroches throughout his life. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1982 and 1992.

Dates: 1948 - 2020; Majority of material found within 1982 - 1992

Scrapbook of clippings on dolls

 Item — Box Individual Manuscripts
Identifier: 2018.scrap
Abstract

This scrapbook about dolls was made by an unidentified creator using magazine and newspaper clippings from 1939-1940 in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Topics cover antique shows, doll collectors, doll theft ("Sally Simmons"), dolls' clothing, portrait dolls, miniatures for dolls' houses, puppets, and more. Magazines clipped include Vogue, Life, and the Saturday Evening Post.

Dates: 1939 - 1940

Robert M. Johanns Bridge Robot design drawings

 Item — Box Individual Manuscripts
Identifier: 118.2166
Abstract

This file documents the creation of a "Bridge Robot" playing card tile sorting device designed by Robert M. Johanns (1897-1971), who resided in Rochester, New York and worked as an engineer for General Electric. These pages include notes, sketches, and detailed diagrams of the parts to his "Bridge Robot." Accompanying these documents is a provenance letter with biographical details on Johanns from his nephew, Paul Scheeler, dated 2018.

Dates: 1938

The Grant Rules for Mid-Eighteenth Century Warfare manuscript

 File — Box Individual Manuscripts
Identifier: 117.7827
Abstract

This typed manuscript was created by wargamer Charles Grant, likely in the 1960s. As the front of this document states, "The primary object of the Grant Rules for Mid-Eighteenth Century type wargames is to ensure that the players have a fast, realistic, and enjoyable game."

Dates: c. 1960s?

“All by Herself” and “All by Himself” clippings

 File — Box Individual Manuscripts
Identifier: 115.5303
Abstract

These clippings document publicity surrounding Kay Clark's cloth books "All by Herself" and "All by Himself," invented in the early 1950s to help teach children how to dress themselves. Along with the newspaper and magazine advertisement clippings, an article by a psychologist titled "What 'All by Herself' and 'All by Himself' Means To Your Child" (by Elizabeth Hurlock, PhD) is included.

Dates: 1950-1951

Film footage of 1939-1940 World’s Fair

 Item
Identifier: 118.10092
Abstract This digitized video footage of the Tribelhorn family's trip to the 1939-1940 World's Fair in New York in 1940 showcases the landmarks, pavilions, buildings, and activities at the World's Fair. (This footage was originally captured on 8mm film and digitized by the George Eastman Museum in 2018; there is no audio.) The total run time is 10 minutes. It is viewable on the museum's ...
Dates: 1940; 2018