the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which materials the Chinese Embassy has presented became known as the Strαtemeyer to the university in recent years. Syndicate. This corps of writers produced such memorable series as the Rover Boys, Several books written in the 1600s were Tom Swift, Bobbsey Twins, Hardy Boys, donated to Texas A&M. The volumes donated and Nancy Drew. included a first folio printing in three volumes of The History o f the Rebellion and Civil Wars Two hundred Chinese language books in England, Begun in the Year 1641 by Edward were donated to the University of South Hyde, earl of Clarendon, and a first edition of Carolina from the Embassy of the People’s The Life o f the Earl o f Clarendon. Hyde was an Republic of China. The materials will support eyewitness to the events he recorded. His the university’s programs for students in books are considered the “most valuable of all business, sciences, liberal arts, languages, the contemporary accounts” of the English and literature. This is the second group of civil war. ■

FOCUS ON COLLECTIONS

he University of Illinois at Urbana- lished between 1880-1984. The majority of Champaign (UIUC) Communications Li­ these advertisements appeared in newspapers, T brary owns two advertising collections that magazines, and trade journals. are a rich resource of information on prod­ The collections are unique in that they con­ ucts advertised by numerous advertising agen­ sist of advertisements from a variety of prod­ cies. The D’Arcy Collection is a collection of uct and service categories including medicine, almost one million original advertisements automobiles, electronics, agriculture, clothing, published betw een 1890 and 1980. The Wood­ food and beverages, household and personal ward Collection of Advertising is a collection products, and technology. of four million original advertisements pub- The collections represent primary research materials valuable to students, researchers, and educators in advertising, history, cultural studies, women’s studies, and media stud­ ies. Their value extends far beyond a record of the history of advertising. The collections are a visual archive of the progression and development of technology, and the val­ ues, lifestyles, and material culture of Americans. Interest in the collection has originated from UIUC students and faculty, researchers from other institutions, private corporations and businesses, as well as individuals inter­ ested in the collection for personal use. Re­ quests for information can vary from spe­ cific advertisements or brands to more gen­ eral requests for items or subject material. The Communications Library and the Col­ lege of Communications Library have high­ lighted selected ads from these collections in an exhibit available on the Web at: http:// www.library.uiuc.edu/adexhibit.— Lisa An ad from the D'Arcy Advertising Collection, a collection at the University Romero, acting communications librarian, of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University o f Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Communications Library. [email protected]. ■

38 / C&RL News ■ January 1999 C&RL News ■ January 1999 / 39