Skip to main content

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 132 Collections and/or Records:

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

Stefanie Eskander papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 118.8603
Abstract

The Stefanie Eskander papers are a compilation of concept sketches, presentation drawings, and other artwork for dolls, toys, and games created by Eskander for various toy companies. The bulk of the materials are from the 1990s.

Dates: 1986 - 2018; Majority of material found in 1990s

Paul Reiche III papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 118.2627
Abstract

The Paul Reiche III papers are a compilation of game design concepts and related documentation for both tabletop role-playing games and video games. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1983 and 1996, though some materials are undated.

Dates: 1979 - 2018; Majority of material found within 1983 - 1996

William J. Hoyt Dungeons and Dragons collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2017.hoyt
Abstract

The William J. Hoyt Dungeons & Dragons collection is a compilation of scans, photographs, and digital files documenting Hoyt’s personal involvement with Dungeons and Dragons and other role-playing games. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1966 and 1979.

Dates: 1965 - 2017; Majority of material found within 1966 - 1979

Tom Hogeman Dungeons & Dragons collection

 File — Box Individual Manuscripts
Identifier: 117.3744
Abstract

The Tom Hogeman Dungeons & Dragons collection contains hand-drawn maps and character sheets generated during gameplay of Dungeons & Dragons by Tom Hogeman [likely during the 1980s]. Also part of this folder are reference materials for the game.

Dates: c. 1980s