Special Collections. Purdue University Special Collections

Scope and Contents The collection consists of the script is for "The Comedy of the Dead" (La Comedia de los Muertos), written by José Cid Pérez and transcribed into English by John P. Dyson.  There is an inscription inside the front cover from Perez to Professor Robert Lowe.

Abstract The Ancient and Medieval Manuscript Leaves collection contains leaves from Breviaries, Books of Hours, Antiphonaries, Bibles, an Anthology of Persian Poetry, Byzantine Music Notation, and a papyrus fragment.  The collection demonstrates a variety of medieval texts and artistic styles.  This particular collection is an excellent teaching tool for many classes in the humanities.

Abstract Illuminated manuscript [Book of Hours] on vellum, in Latin and French. Most likely created in northern France (Paris), circa 1470. This diminutive Book of Hours comprises: a Calendar (fol. 1r); Gospel Readings (fol. 13r); Obsecro te (fol. 18r); O intemerata with the title "Orison devote a la vierge me" (fol. 22r); the Hours of the Virgin, with Matins (fol. 25r), Lauds (fol. 34v), Prime (fol. 44v), Terce (fol. 49v), Sext (fol. 53v), Nones (fol. 57v), Vespers (fol. 61v) and Compline (fol. 69v);...

Scope and Contents The Collection of Midwestern Maps (1825-1925; 7 linear feet) documents roads, counties, and geography of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Illinois. It features several pocket maps, including one attached to the inside cover of a small travel booklet. Some maps note territory status of current states, such as Michigan. Not all counties are represented on all maps. One map is written in French.

Scope and Contents The Collection of Virginia Poullard Dupalais Twigg, Lucy Way Sistare Say, and Charles Alexandre Lesueur Works of Art (circa 1800-1846; 43 items) contains twenty-six pencil, pastel, charcoal and watercolor sketches on paper by Charles Lesueur and seventeen pencil and watercolor sketches attributed to Virginia Dupalais Twigg, Lesueur's niece and pupil who lived with him in New Harmony, or Lucy Sistare Say, a fellow artist teaching at New Harmony. Many of the sketches document life in New Harmony,...

Scope and Contents Illuminated manuscript on vellum, Gregory the Great, Homilies on Ezekiel, in Latin, North-Eastern Germany, Huysburg Abbey, near Halberstadt, 1466. This is one of the key texts of Western monasticism. Manuscript is in a later (19th century) leather binding by W. Pratt, tooled with floral panels and chevrons. The manuscript includes a range of codicological features such as glossing, parchment repair, a scribal colophon, decorated initials, an organized rubrication system, and clear pricking....

Scope and Contents The William Henry Harrison collection contains materials related to William Henry Harrison, his presidential campaign in 1840, and the Battle of Tippecanoe.  Materials include campaign songsheets, campaign ribbon, political document, newspaper clipping, and commemorative plate.

Scope and Contents The Heath Family Papers document the business dealings and transactions of one of Lafayette's early prominent families.

Abstract Early 16th-century manuscript hymnal, in Latin [Germany]: NP, ND (circa 1500s). Quarto (6 6/8 X 8 6/8 X 1"). Unpaginated. [96] leaves (ms from leaf 3 to leaf 91). Written in Germany, possibly in the area of Fulda, whose patron saints are Simplicius, Faustinus, and their sister Beatrix. The manuscript later passed to the Benedictine monastery of Amorbach, whose 17th or 18th-century ex-libris is on the upper margin on f.4. The manuscript...

Scope and Contents The Indiana Authors Letter Collection contains letters from some of the state's most successful authors. The collection encompasses the "Golden Age of Indiana Literature," a time period in which Hoosier authors achieved both national prominence and popular acclaim. Indiana writers in the late 19th and early 20th century catered to readers who preferred writing that idealized traditional values or offered escape from an ever-changing world. A 1947 study found that Hoosier authors ranked second...

Scope and Contents Materials relate to the Office of State Technical Services (Indiana State Technical Services), the State Technical Services Act, and the Indiana Educational Services Foundation. Please see PDF Finding Aid for collection inventory.

Scope and Contents The Indiana Engineering Society Records (1913-1937, 0.5 cubic feet) document the correspondence, activities and conferences of the Indiana Engineering Society. Highlighting individual members and other regional engineering societies, the collection shows the Indiana Engineering Society's involvement with the community. Although the records span the years of 1913 to 1937, the majority of the records cover from 1927 to 1937. Types of materials include: correspondence, meeting minutes, by-laws,...

Scope and Contents The Indiana Poetry Society papers is a collection of manuscript poems and letters by members of the Indiana Poetry Society, as gathered by the society president and founder, Eletha Mae Taylor, along with some of her personal papers. Among the personal papers is a composition book containing notations on the study of poetry and literature and spelling/vocabulary lists, music scores, poetry, newspaper clippings and correspondence.

Scope and Contents Postcards relating to Indiana scenes and history, collected by the Knowles family.

Scope and Contents The New Harmony collection contains materials from and information related to the New Harmony community in Southern Indiana and the family of Robert Owen, one of its leaders. The collection includes correspondence, newspapers, illustrations, maps, pamphlets, and historical research about New Harmony.

Scope and Contents The collection contains correspondence written to and from Thomas Perry, Chief/Consulting Engineer for the Jasper Wood Products Company, along with quotes and estimates for components of the prefabricated houses. There are reports from testing of the same components, along with timecards from the business. The collection also contains newsclippings from the 1930's relating to the housing industry. There are a few unrelated newsclippings from 1978 and 1980 and a company catalog from MacBeath...

Abstract The Rare Book Leaves collection contains leaves from Buddhist scriptures, Golden Legend, Sidonia the Sorceress, Nuremberg Chronicle, Codex de Tortis, and an illustrated version of Wordsworth’s poem Daffodils. The collection demonstrates a variety of printing styles and paper. This particular collection is an excellent teaching tool...

Scope and Contents The Red Crown Mini-Museum history and post card documents the chronological history of the museum. The collection consists of an 8 ½" x 11" sheet of paper detailing the chronological history, along with three copies of a picture post card of the Red Crown Mini-Museum.

Scope and Contents The Vater Family scrapbooks compiled by Septimus Vater and Williamson Dunn Vater primarily contain newspaper clippings related to Indiana politics and elections as well as obituaries and sports analysis from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Scope and Contents The John Wendling photograph collection contains photographs and postcards from the international and domestic travels of John Wendling. He took pictures of several places in South America as well as the United States.

Scope and Contents The World War I flyers collection contains an assortment of World War I flyers and advertisements encouraging citizens to buy government bonds and help support the military during the War.