Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University
@masonspeccoll.bsky.social
- Official archives of @georgemasonu.bsky.social 📦🎓
- Providing access to diverse collections and rare books 📚
- Come see us in Fenwick Library!
https://linktr.ee/masonspeccoll
- Providing access to diverse collections and rare books 📚
- Come see us in Fenwick Library!
https://linktr.ee/masonspeccoll
Do you remember reading Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” in school? This gorgeous 1884 edition, illustrated by Gustave Doré, is part of our rare books collection. Our copy is also signed by its previous owners from 1885.
From: PS2609 .A1 1884
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #theraven
From: PS2609 .A1 1884
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #theraven
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Do you remember reading Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” in school? This gorgeous 1884 edition, illustrated by Gustave Doré, is part of our rare books collection. Our copy is also signed by its previous owners from 1885.
From: PS2609 .A1 1884
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #theraven
From: PS2609 .A1 1884
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #theraven
It’s almost Thanksgiving, so today we’re highlighting C. Albert Scholin’s arrangement for “Sing to the Lord of Harvest by Joseph Haydn, subtitled “Anthem for Thanksgiving or General Use” and based on an 1866 song written by John S.B. Monsell.
📸 C0155
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0155
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
November 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
It’s almost Thanksgiving, so today we’re highlighting C. Albert Scholin’s arrangement for “Sing to the Lord of Harvest by Joseph Haydn, subtitled “Anthem for Thanksgiving or General Use” and based on an 1866 song written by John S.B. Monsell.
📸 C0155
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0155
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
Our latest #Vault217 blog preview includes an exciting personal papers collection that is now available for use in the Special Collections Research Center. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11641
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
November 7, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Our latest #Vault217 blog preview includes an exciting personal papers collection that is now available for use in the Special Collections Research Center. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11641
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
Happy Halloween! In 1985, the trees were changing and the residents of Reston were getting ready to do their annual trick-or-treating. This newspaper shows some of the costumes, recipes, and advertisements of the time.
From: C0001
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #halloween #reston
From: C0001
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #halloween #reston
October 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Happy Halloween! In 1985, the trees were changing and the residents of Reston were getting ready to do their annual trick-or-treating. This newspaper shows some of the costumes, recipes, and advertisements of the time.
From: C0001
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #halloween #reston
From: C0001
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #halloween #reston
Happy almost Halloween 🎃 Today we’re featuring this playbill from the 1988 Broadway production of the musical 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦. Based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel and now a cult classic, the musical is infamous for being one of Broadway’s biggest flops.
📸 C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
October 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Happy almost Halloween 🎃 Today we’re featuring this playbill from the 1988 Broadway production of the musical 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦. Based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel and now a cult classic, the musical is infamous for being one of Broadway’s biggest flops.
📸 C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
Take a look at our latest #Vault217 blog post, where we highlight a part of our rare books collection: Cassell, Petter and Galpin’s Works of Shakespeare, illustrated by H.C. Selous.
Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11693
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog #shakespeare
Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11693
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog #shakespeare
October 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Take a look at our latest #Vault217 blog post, where we highlight a part of our rare books collection: Cassell, Petter and Galpin’s Works of Shakespeare, illustrated by H.C. Selous.
Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11693
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog #shakespeare
Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11693
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog #shakespeare
Our latest #Vault217 blog, another post in our Archives Neighbors series, highlights our June visit to the Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11645
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
October 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Our latest #Vault217 blog, another post in our Archives Neighbors series, highlights our June visit to the Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11645
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
Join SCRC & Mason Libraries for 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘒𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 an Appalachian Trail Archives 100th anniversary event on Monday, October 6th from 6PM-8PM. Follow the link to register and learn more: www.masonexhibitions.org/events/atc-o...
📸 C0336
#fromthearchives
📸 C0336
#fromthearchives
October 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Join SCRC & Mason Libraries for 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘒𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 an Appalachian Trail Archives 100th anniversary event on Monday, October 6th from 6PM-8PM. Follow the link to register and learn more: www.masonexhibitions.org/events/atc-o...
📸 C0336
#fromthearchives
📸 C0336
#fromthearchives
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month so today we’re featuring modern dancer and choreographer José Limón, known for his Limón technique based on large emotive movements, developed with his Limón Dance Company.
📸 Mary Lavigne programs collection, C0417.
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 Mary Lavigne programs collection, C0417.
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
September 25, 2025 at 2:35 PM
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month so today we’re featuring modern dancer and choreographer José Limón, known for his Limón technique based on large emotive movements, developed with his Limón Dance Company.
📸 Mary Lavigne programs collection, C0417.
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 Mary Lavigne programs collection, C0417.
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
“Jim Lee's X-men” and “Gil Kane's the Amazing Spider-Man” are artist editions, which showcase scans of the original art, including edits. The pages are scaled to match the original size.
From: PN6728 .X2 L33 2020 & PN6728 .S6 K36 2012
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #comics #marvel
From: PN6728 .X2 L33 2020 & PN6728 .S6 K36 2012
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #comics #marvel
September 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
“Jim Lee's X-men” and “Gil Kane's the Amazing Spider-Man” are artist editions, which showcase scans of the original art, including edits. The pages are scaled to match the original size.
From: PN6728 .X2 L33 2020 & PN6728 .S6 K36 2012
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #comics #marvel
From: PN6728 .X2 L33 2020 & PN6728 .S6 K36 2012
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #comics #marvel
This past Monday was Labor Day, so this week seemed like a good time to highlight this working draft of Stephen Schwartz’s musical 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 sent to the one and only Zelda Fichandler.
📸 From the currently in process Zelda Fichandler papers, C0010
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 From the currently in process Zelda Fichandler papers, C0010
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
September 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This past Monday was Labor Day, so this week seemed like a good time to highlight this working draft of Stephen Schwartz’s musical 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 sent to the one and only Zelda Fichandler.
📸 From the currently in process Zelda Fichandler papers, C0010
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 From the currently in process Zelda Fichandler papers, C0010
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
Martin Sedlazek held a 30-year tenure with NASA. His collection includes educational publications (“Aboard the Space Shuttle,” 1980) and a manual for the Apollo Program, which landed us on the moon in 1969.
From: C0293, Box 6, folders 6 & 9
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #NASA
From: C0293, Box 6, folders 6 & 9
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #NASA
September 2, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Martin Sedlazek held a 30-year tenure with NASA. His collection includes educational publications (“Aboard the Space Shuttle,” 1980) and a manual for the Apollo Program, which landed us on the moon in 1969.
From: C0293, Box 6, folders 6 & 9
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #NASA
From: C0293, Box 6, folders 6 & 9
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #NASA
Costume and set designer Robert Davison’s work spanned a range of performance genres including opera, ballet, plays, and musicals. These four original costume designs are selected from a personal scrapbook. Which is your outfit of choice?
📸C0513
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸C0513
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
August 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Costume and set designer Robert Davison’s work spanned a range of performance genres including opera, ballet, plays, and musicals. These four original costume designs are selected from a personal scrapbook. Which is your outfit of choice?
📸C0513
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸C0513
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
“Morris’s British Birds” (1851) has beautiful illustrations. Benjamin Fawcett etched these drawings into wood, which were later colored in on paper. This is called “woodblock printing.” There are six volumes in total.
From: QL690 .G7 M85 1851 v.1-3
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections
From: QL690 .G7 M85 1851 v.1-3
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections
August 19, 2025 at 2:55 PM
“Morris’s British Birds” (1851) has beautiful illustrations. Benjamin Fawcett etched these drawings into wood, which were later colored in on paper. This is called “woodblock printing.” There are six volumes in total.
From: QL690 .G7 M85 1851 v.1-3
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections
From: QL690 .G7 M85 1851 v.1-3
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections
Our latest #Vault217 blog, another post in our Archives Neighbors series, highlights our March visit to the newly remodeled Folger Shakespeare Library. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11609
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
August 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Our latest #Vault217 blog, another post in our Archives Neighbors series, highlights our March visit to the newly remodeled Folger Shakespeare Library. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11609
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
Printed in 1949, this copy of George Orwell's 1984 is a first edition. It was originally published in London by Secker & Warburg. First editions are prized for their history, scarcity, and monetary value.
From: PR6029 .R8 N5 1949
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #georgeorwell
From: PR6029 .R8 N5 1949
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #georgeorwell
August 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Printed in 1949, this copy of George Orwell's 1984 is a first edition. It was originally published in London by Secker & Warburg. First editions are prized for their history, scarcity, and monetary value.
From: PR6029 .R8 N5 1949
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #georgeorwell
From: PR6029 .R8 N5 1949
#rarebookcorner #archives #specialcollections #georgeorwell
Our latest #Vault217 blog preview includes University Archives, a 19th century medical reports, and more, all of which are now available for use in the Special Collections Research Center. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11577
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
August 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Our latest #Vault217 blog preview includes University Archives, a 19th century medical reports, and more, all of which are now available for use in the Special Collections Research Center. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11577
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
Today we’re highlighting this 1975 libretto for the Hirson and Schwartz musical 𝘗𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯, which features images from German and Australian productions and presents the show without an intermission as performed in the original Broadway run.
📸 ML50.S417 P5
#rarebooks #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 ML50.S417 P5
#rarebooks #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
July 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Today we’re highlighting this 1975 libretto for the Hirson and Schwartz musical 𝘗𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯, which features images from German and Australian productions and presents the show without an intermission as performed in the original Broadway run.
📸 ML50.S417 P5
#rarebooks #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 ML50.S417 P5
#rarebooks #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
Dated between 1492 and 1493, “The Nuremberg Chronicle” by Hartmann Schedel showed the history of the Christian world. Approximately 531 years old, this leaf is one of the oldest items housed in the Special Collections stacks.
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #woodcut #incunabula
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #woodcut #incunabula
July 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Dated between 1492 and 1493, “The Nuremberg Chronicle” by Hartmann Schedel showed the history of the Christian world. Approximately 531 years old, this leaf is one of the oldest items housed in the Special Collections stacks.
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #woodcut #incunabula
#fromthearchives #archives #specialcollections #woodcut #incunabula
Today we’re highlighting Mr. “Born on the 4th of July” George M. Cohan with this souvenir program of the 1968-1969 stage musical 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘔! starring Joel Grey. Aside from a 1971 television adaptation 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘔! has yet to receive a formal revival.
📸 C0182
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0182
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
July 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Today we’re highlighting Mr. “Born on the 4th of July” George M. Cohan with this souvenir program of the 1968-1969 stage musical 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘔! starring Joel Grey. Aside from a 1971 television adaptation 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘔! has yet to receive a formal revival.
📸 C0182
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0182
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
Our latest #Vault217 blog previews University Archives, Civil War ballads, WWII code-breaking, and architectural plans. All are now available for use in the Special Collections Research Center. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11547
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
July 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Our latest #Vault217 blog previews University Archives, Civil War ballads, WWII code-breaking, and architectural plans. All are now available for use in the Special Collections Research Center. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11547
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
Our latest #Vault217 blog highlights visits SCRC received in February and April from staff of the Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg and the Virginia Room, part of the Fairfax County Library. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11470
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
June 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Our latest #Vault217 blog highlights visits SCRC received in February and April from staff of the Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg and the Virginia Room, part of the Fairfax County Library. Follow the link to learn more: vault217.gmu.edu?p=11470
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
#archives #specialcollections #archivesblog
Did you grow up watching Tom and Jerry? We have something for you! These 1953 animation stills are from the short “Johann Mouse.” You can see where the animators cut out Jerry so they could move him for each frame.
From: C0477
#archives #specialcollections #animation #tomandjerry
From: C0477
#archives #specialcollections #animation #tomandjerry
June 16, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Did you grow up watching Tom and Jerry? We have something for you! These 1953 animation stills are from the short “Johann Mouse.” You can see where the animators cut out Jerry so they could move him for each frame.
From: C0477
#archives #specialcollections #animation #tomandjerry
From: C0477
#archives #specialcollections #animation #tomandjerry
Today we’re wishing a belated Happy Birthday to the one and only Judy Garland. Born on June 10, 1922, and best known as Dorothy in 1939’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘻, today we’re highlighting her long-running concerts at Broadway’s Palace Theatre.
📸 C0182, C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0182, C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
June 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Today we’re wishing a belated Happy Birthday to the one and only Judy Garland. Born on June 10, 1922, and best known as Dorothy in 1939’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘻, today we’re highlighting her long-running concerts at Broadway’s Palace Theatre.
📸 C0182, C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
📸 C0182, C0184
#archives #specialcollections #TheatreThursday
Happy Pride! “Queer Power,” a minicomic from the Latvian series “mini-kuš!” speaks on the meaning of LGBTQIA+ relationships. Other comics in the series can be found in our “International art publishing collection.”
From: C0517
#archives #specialcollections #zines #pridemonth #minicomics
From: C0517
#archives #specialcollections #zines #pridemonth #minicomics
June 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Happy Pride! “Queer Power,” a minicomic from the Latvian series “mini-kuš!” speaks on the meaning of LGBTQIA+ relationships. Other comics in the series can be found in our “International art publishing collection.”
From: C0517
#archives #specialcollections #zines #pridemonth #minicomics
From: C0517
#archives #specialcollections #zines #pridemonth #minicomics