Center for Archival Collections

Autograph Albums: Parlor Entertainment

Autograph albums were popular throughout the nineteenth century. Special books like those at left were designed specifically for the purpose.  Blank papers of different colors were bound together, often with engravings of beautiful scenery or art scattered throughout.  Each person who was invited to sign was expected to write more than a simple signature.  Inspirational verses were especially prized.  The sample page below includes calligraphy flourishes in the shape of a bird.  Guests were invited to read through the signatures and verses very much the way they were asked to view the photograph albums, a very proper form of Victorian parlor entertainment.

The red plush autograph album, at left, is also typical of the binding of photograph albums and scrapbooks of the late Victorian era.

Photograph Albums: All Sizes and Shapes

At left, a photograph album typical of the late 19th century, showing die-cut openings which allowed the card stock-mounted photographs to be held securely in place.  Many albums allowed for four photographs on a page and often had a separate table of contents.  Above, a tiny album holding only the "gem" size tintypes.  Cameras could be adapted to create a grid of as many as sixteen images of a single pose.  After the images were developed, the metal sheet would be cut down to the appropriate size and the photograph could be shared among many friends and family.

Scrapbooks: Documenting History

Many organizations maintain scrapbook collections to document their activities in the community.  At left is a sample page from the Wood County Red Cross Collection (MS 410) showing the devastation following a spring tornado in the 1950s.

Scrapbooks kept by members of the armed forces document their time in service and provide us an intimate look at their wartime experiences.  Annie Laurie Turnbull Panning (MS 241) served in Europe during the Second World War, while Josephine Suter Kronfield (MMS 364) was a member of the WAVES, stateside, working on aircraft.

Scrapbooks: Personal Memories

Above, a page from the Gladys Gangwer Perry scrapbook (MMS 509) highlights student activities at Bowling Green State University during 1915.  Over the years, many students have kept scrapbooks of their time at BGSU.  Other scrapbooks from Normal College days include May Lambert's (MMS 329) and Martha Harvey Parquette's (MMS 1681).  

At left, the Ruth King scrapbook (MS 267 Joan Brisbin Wills Collection) records special memories of a young woman during high school and nurse's training in Toledo.

Below, a typical scrapbook page shows the challenge of gathering together a wide variety of paper material into a single book.  A tri-fold postcard shares the page with business cards, a paper napkin, a photograph, and small greeting cards.

Photograph Formats

Looking carefully, the portraits of a woman and a child can be seen in the cufflinks at right.
These date from about 1910. Donated by Michael Poock.

The even blue tone on the photograph at left tells us that this is a cyanotype. Related to the blueprint process, the cyanotype was popular among engineers and amateur photographers, who enjoyed making prints in their home darkrooms.  This photograph was found in the Guitteau scrapbooks (MS 16).