2011
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Cover of Pulpatoon: Pilgrimage by Joel Priddy(2002)
AdHouse Books
Richmond, Virginia .
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
January through May 2012
AdHouse Books is a “boutique publishing juggernaut” based in Richmond, Virginia. Created by Chris Pitzer in 2002, AdHouse made its debut in the independent comics’ scene with Pulpatoon: Pilgrimage by Joel Priddy. That comic novel was well-received and won the 2002 Small Press Expo Ignatz Award for Outstanding Debut, the 2002 Ninth Art Lighthouse Award for Debut Book, and was nominated for the 2003 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Novel. Tthe AdHouse Books mentioned here and others by the publiser are all housed in Special Collections and Archives' Comic Arts Collection
AdHouse has published a variety of unique titles including Salamander Dream by Hope Larson, And There You Are by Ronnie del Camen, Lone Pine by Jed McGowan, Barbra in the Sky with Neil Diamonds by Joshua Cotter, and Duncan the Wonder Dog by Adam Hines. AdHouse has also released themed anthologies such as Project: Telstar, The Ancient Book of Myth and War, and The Ancient Book of Sex and Science.
In 2004, AdHouse Books expanded with titles in the traditional comic book format (Skyscrapers of the Midwest, Johnny Hiro, Mort Grimm, Zig Zag, and Pope Hats, for example). The following year, AdHouse began printing art books, most notably James Jean’s Process Recess, which won the Eisner for publication design in 2008. Additionally, AdHouse Books distributes titles from NoBrow Press, Koyama Press, and comic artist Scott Morse’s Red Window imprint. AdHouse’s commitment to editing, publishing, and distributing quality over quantity is one of the reasons it has won and been nominated for several awards in the comics industry and for publication design.
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The architectonic structure of Arch (2010) not only pays homage to famous female architects but was also created by a group of ten women artists.
Book Art from Scripps College Press
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
October 2011 - March 2012
The Scripps College Press was founded in 1941in Claremont, California. In 1986, Kitty Maryatt, director of the press, created a program for art students to collaborate on book art projects. Since then, participants of the Typography and Book Arts class have produced two letterpress books each year. The works generated by the students focus on experimentation with text and language. The exhibit shows several examples of their work - all part of VCU Libraries Book Art Collection.
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Holiday Pop-Up Books
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
December 2011 - February 2012
On display are the following titles - part of Special Collections and Archives large collection of pop-up books.
Winter’s Tale: An Original Pop-Up Journey. Robert Sabuda. 2005.
The Twelve Days of Christmas. Robert Sabuda. 1996.
The Night Before Christmas. Robert Sabuda. 2002.
A Kwanzaa Celebration Pop-Up Book. By Nancy Williams and Robert Sabuda. 1995.
Hanukkah! Sara Freeland and Sue Clark. 1991.
The Story of the First Christmas. Ruth Sanderson. 1994.
The Silent Night Advent Calendar. 1997.
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Burglers, Gamblers, Bootleggers, Safe Men, Prostitutes, & Dope Fiends:
Crime in Richmond, Virginia in the 1940s
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
September 2011 - May 2012
This exhibit explores crime in Richmond in the 1940s using the papers of FBI agent John E. Lawler which are housed in Special Collections and Archives. The exhibit is available online with much more information. The site includes information on known criminals in the Richmond area, murder and prostitution in Richmond, a guide to the Lawler Papers, and links to relevant sites.
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Two cigarette card albums produced
by the Allen and Ginter Co., ca. 1890.
Lewis Ginter and the Allen and Ginter
Tobacco Company of Richmond
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
October 2011 - February 2011
This exhibit includes materials housed in Special Collections and Archives that relate to the life and work of Richmond's Lewis Ginter (1824-1897), tobacco magnate and philanthropist. The exhibit was created to coincide with the Oct. 18, 2011 book talk and signing in Special Collections and Archives by Brian Burns on his new biography of Ginter.
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No. 6A: The Performance Art Issue. Edited by Jon Hendricks. Published Winter 1968-1969.
Aspen - the "Magazine in a Box"
Reading Room, Special Collections and Archives,
James Branch Cabell Library
October 2011 - February 2011
Aspen, the “Magazine in a Box,” is a multimedia arts publication that ran from 1965-1971. Founded by editor Phyllis Johnson, Aspen was an innovative conception for its time and became the first three-dimensional magazine. Each issue came in a customized container filled with a wide array of materials from the leading American and European artists.
Special Collections and Archives holds nine out of ten issues in the Book Art Collection.
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The Zombie Project
is one of several comic books featured in the Zombie exhibit.
Zombies in Comic Books
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
October 2011 - February 2011
zombie, n.
Pronunciation: 'zombi
Forms: Also zombi and with capital initial.
Etymology: Of W. African origin; compare Kongo nzambi god, zumbi fetish.
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Going Bananas for Mail Art
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
October 2011 - February 2011
Anna Banana (b. 1940), formerly Anne Lee Long, is a visual and performance artist from Canada. Her obsession with bananas as art motifs encouraged her to legally change her name to Anna Banana in 1985. Since the 1970s, she has been a major innovator of mail art. Many of the pieces in this exhibit highlight materials from The Anna Banana Collection (1975-2007), which include publications, promotional ads, and a large array of stamps designed by the artist herself.
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Images from Love and Rockets
Hispanic Heritage Month
Featuring the Los Bros Hernandez.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
September through December 2011
VCU Libraries is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting a special exhibit on the work of the Los Bros Hernandez. This exhibit features comic books and other work by Gilbert, Jamie, and to a lesser extent Mario Hernandez. The brothers self-published the first issue of their comic book series, Love and Rockets in 1981. The series was picked up by Fantagraphics Books, publisher of the Comics Journal in 1982, and became a major force in alternative comics.
Love and Rockets includes several long-running serial narratives, such as Gilbert Hernadez' Palomar stories and Jaime Hernandez' Hoppers 13. The brothers have distinctly different styles and seldom collaborate on a single work. As a side-by-side publication of the brothers' work, Love and Rockets is a provocative mix of Latin barrio life, punk rock culture, and magic realism. The series discontinued in 1996 but resumed publication in various incarnations over the years. Gilbert and Jamie also write comics and graphic novels independently. These works are also featured in the display and are part of the library's Comic Arts collection.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a month long observance (September 15 - Oct. 15) when America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Latin Caribbean.
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Hecatombe 9-11. Maria G. Pisano. 2007.
Hecatombe 9-11 is Pisano’s artistic response to the 9-11 attacks in New York. The structure of the book symbolically represents the Twin Towers. The inside of the book incorporates the names of the victims with their corresponding age, photographs taken by the artist, poetry, and details of the attacks. The book is part of VCU Libraries' Book Art collection.
Commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of 9-11
August 2011 - November 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
James Branch Cabell Library's Special Collections and Archives is memorializing the Tenth Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with an exhibit displaying 9-11 related materials from three major collections - Comic Arts, Book Art, and university archives. One exhibit case displays eight comic book volumes where artists responded to the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. It includes Heroes, produced by Marvel Comics, a book of sixty-four full-page illustrations paying tribute to those who attempted to save lives on 9-11. Another exhibit case displays three large pieces from the library's Book Art collection - they include Hecatombe 9-11 by Maria G. Pisano,. 2007, Manhattan Unfurled by Matteo Pericoli, 2001, and Lost Horizons by VCU alum Scott McCarney, 2003. The final two exhibit cases use primarily published materials by VCU and Richmond media focusing on the local reaction to 9-11 ten years ago.
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Armed Forces in Comics
May 2011 - November 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
During World War II, the comics industry developed a genre in which the super heroes were replaced with real life heroes. Many war related comics continue to be published - including those involving WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Several notable artists are featured in this exhibit but two collections stand out - items from the William E. Blake Collection of True Life 1940s Era Comics serve as an intriguing glimpse into the political climate and values of the time and materials from the PS Magazine Collection [comics on preventive maintenance, 1951-1972] reveal one of the first major efforts to use comics as an educational tool plus they were drawn by noted comic artist Will Eisner.
This exhibit is part of VCU Libraries' recognition to honor U.S.
service members during May's National Military Appreciation Month.
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VCU Rams
March 2011 - November 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Special Collections & Archives at the James Branch Cabell Library is displaying Rams memorabilia in the exhibit area on the fourth floor. Among the memorabilia are photographs, flyers, and pennants from decades past documenting both the history of the Rams and the evolution of their image. Also among the memorabilia are items celebrating the success of the Rams in the 2011 NCAA Basketball Championship.
Special Collection & Archives is accepting donations of Rams memorabilia from the recent championship. Items such as tickets, flyers, posters, t-shirts, pennants, cheer gear, and photographs, almost anything that will help document the season, are particularly desired. If you have items that you would be interested in donating, please bring them to Special Collections & Archives on the fourth floor of James Branch Cabell Library from Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. For questions or suggestions, please contact Special Collection & Archives at (804) 828-1108.
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[Stories Behind Bars (2010)]
Women’s Studio Workshop
April 2011 – November 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
The Women’s Studio Workshop (WSW) is a non-profit organization located in Rosendale, New York. Founded in 1974, WSW is the largest publisher of hand printed, hand bound artists’ books in the country. They have specialized studios in printmaking, papermaking, photography, letterpress printing, and ceramics. Their programs are centered on the artistic process and often informed by feminist values. VCU Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives is a repository for WSW with over 170 books from their collection.
The six works highlighted in this exhibit place an emphasis on the power of words, language, and storytelling. For example, Ten Woodcuts by Zarina (1991) is a series of prints inspired by Urdu Proverbs. Stories Behind Bars (2010) are stories told by inmates of American prisons. How to Eat Your Enemy (2006) questions the American perception of terrorism by juxtaposing text from a 14th-century crusader manuscript with images from the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
For more examples of book art by the Women's Studio Workshop visit Special Collections and Archives.
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Music Anthologies and the Comic Arts
February 2011 - October 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Although the publication of musically inspired anthologies and biographies may seem like a current trend, the connection between comic art and music is not a new development. This exhibit showcases many old and new publications, including fanzines, magazines, comic books, and longer works. Among the many alternative titles held by Special Collections and Archives are the fanzine PUNK, created by comic artist John Holmstrom in 1976, and a nearly complete collection of Rolling Stone from 1971 until the late 1990s.
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A certificate Davi Det received from artist
Anna Banana, 1972.
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A postcard from Davi Det's collection,
sent to him from artist Sol LeWitt, 1974.
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David Det Hompson
February 2011 - October 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Davi Det Hompson was the pen name for David E. Thompson (1939-1996), a Richmond artist best known for creating mail art, book art, and text-based paintings inspired by the Dada and Fluxus movements. Beginning in the 1970s he taught in the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1978, he was one of the founders of 1708 East Main Street Gallery. Thompson also made major contributions to Special Collections and Archives at the James Branch Cabell Library. Not only did he serve on a committee to establish the Book Arts Collection in 1979, he donated an assortment of book art, mail art, and archival materials. This exhibit showcases selections of his own work and examples of mail art he received from nationally renowned artists. His papers are housed in Special Collections and Archives. |
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Richmond Dairy Building, 201 West Marshall Street
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Maggie Walker House, 110 1/2 Leigh Street
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Images from The Jackson Ward Historic District published in 1978.
January 2011 - October 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Over 50 images of buildings are included in this exhibit. Donated by the city in 2008, they were originally used in The Jackson Ward Historic District published in 1978. The images were taken by John Zehmer and the text was provided by Richmond architectural historian Robert P. Winthrop.
An online version of the book was created by VCU Libraries in 2008. It can be found here: http://dig.library.vcu.edu/
The online collection presents the entire book as originally published, page by page. VCU Libraries also digitized each of the original photographic prints used, scanned from the mock-up boards used in the preparation of the book for printing. Each photograph is presented with the accompanying text from the original book, with additional information about the architectural style and features of the building depicted. |
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Romance Comics: Love, Angst, and the Female Reader
February 2011 - August 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Romance comics emerged as a popular genre for adults in the late 1940s and 1950s because publishers wanted to appeal to a female audience. Overflowing with hearts - even those that are broken and on the mend - this exhibit showcases many covers and previews of the often melodramatic and retrospectively humorous storytelling.
Special Collections and Archives has a small collection of romance comics primarily from the 1960s and 1970s in addition to research materials about the genre. |
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2010
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Holidays Past – Ukrop’s, Miller & Rhoads,
and Reynolds’s Metals Co.
November 2010 - February 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
A grocery store, a retail department store, and a firm that sells aluminum foil. They were all long time Richmond companies that had strong cultural and economic ties to the city. They are all gone now - either out of business (Ukrop's and Miller & Rhoads) or have left Richmond (Reynold's). This exhibit spotlighted some unusual artifacts from these companies - including Holiday Aluminum Wrap from the Reynold's Co., gift boxes from Miller and Rhoads, and a variety of ephemera from Ukrop's.
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Charles Vess
August 2010 – January 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Charles Vess (b. 1951) is a VCU alum and respected fantasy art and comic-book illustrator. He’s won several awards, including Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards for his work on The Book of Ballads and Sagas, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, and Jeff Smith’s Rose.
Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Vess earned a BFA in Printmaking at VCU in 1974 prior to moving to New York City with former VCU student and artist Michael Wm. Kaluta. Vess currently lives in Abdingdon, Virginia where he runs Green Man Press Studio. In 2007, he began donating his working library to VCU Libraries' Special Collections and Archives.
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Spiral-Bound: Top Secret Summer by Aaron Renier, published in 2005.
For All Ages
May 2010 – January 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Comic art is often difficult to classify based on age group. You can’t judge the maturity of a story by its art. This exhibit showcases many of the comic books and graphic novels that may appear to appeal to a younger audience, but in actuality, they can be enjoyed by everyone. The graphic novels displayed come from a variety of genres, including fantasy, funny animal, and biography. |
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Out of RVA
August 2010 – April 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Richmond and the VCU campus has always been a hub of artistic creativity and production in Virginia. This exhibit highlights some of the comic artists who have lived, worked, and/or attended school in the area. These artists include Michael Wm. Kaluta, Wiley Miller, Bill Nelson, Phil Trumbo, Charles Vess, Mark Waid, and Mike Weiringo. A few of these artists contributed to Fan Free Funnies, a three-issue supplement to The Commonwealth Times in the early 1970s. In addition to the artists, two local publishers are highlighted as well as issue number three of the comic book Local that takes place in Richmond.
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A Sandman convention sketch by Charles Vess.
Neil Gaiman
August 2010 – January 2011
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) is a science fiction and fantasy writer whose works spans several forms of writing, such as short stories, novels, comic books, audio theater, and screenplays. His most recognizable works include American Gods, The Sandman, Stardust, and Coraline. He’s greatly influenced by other science fiction and fantasy writers he read as a teenager including the work of James Branch Cabell. Gaiman has also worked closely with VCU alum and artist Charles Vess on several projects.
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B-11226: fifty years of silence, Eugene Kellner's story
by Tatana Kellner
Women's Studio Workshop
September 2010 - April 2011.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
Items from the Women’s Studio Workshop (WSW) - Founded in 1974, WSW is the largest publisher of hand printed, hand bound artists’ books in the country. They have specialized studios in printmaking, papermaking, photography, letterpress printing, and ceramics. Their programs are centered on the artistic process and often informed by feminist values. VCU’s Special Collections and Archives is a repository for WSW with about 170 books from their collection.
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VISIONAIRE issue #39, Play
VISIONAIRE
September 2010 - April 2011.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
VISIONAIRE is an art and fashion multi-format serial produced three times a year since 1991. Collaboration between various artists, designers, and celebrities is a key component of the series. Each issue is created with a unique theme and format. Special Collections and Archives houses six of these limited edition issues at VCU Libraries: Solar (no. 56), Surprise (no. 55), Sound (no. 53), Dreams (no. 43), Play (no. 39), and Love (no. 38).
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George E. Hoffer
Automobile Catalog Collection
November 2010 - May 2011.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
The automobile catalogs presented in this exhibit are from the George E. Hoffer Automobile Catalog Collection which is housed in Special Collections and Archives. The collection contains over 1000 catalogs and was compiled by Dr. George E. Hoffer, Emeritus Professor of economics at VCU. Dr. Hoffer began teaching at VCU in 1970 and has focused his professional research for the last 33 years on the automobile industry.
Dr. Hoffer began collecting automobile catalogs in 1960 from local Richmond area car dealers. Most of the catalogs in the collection come from the annual car shows in Detroit. The collection documents over 40 years of automotive history and advertising of both domestic and foreign car manufactures.
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Artifacts of Richmond Professional Institute
November 2010 - May 2011.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
On display are a number of student annuals, posters, RPI cafeteria tray, and other ephemera and school artifacts produced in the 1950s and 1960s by Richmond Professional Institute which merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become Virginia Commonwealth University in 1968. |
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2009
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Robert Crumb
September 2009 - January 2010.
James Branch Cabell Library,
4th Floor Exhibit Area This exhibit on Robert Crumb, the founding father of underground comics, coincides with the Tuesday, October 27th event of "Genesis: A Conversation with R. Crumb and Françoise Mouly" to be held at the Carpenter Center, Richmond CenterStage.
For more information about the event click HERE.
The exhibit consists of a small portion of the many books, journals, comic books, and other materials featuring Crumb's work housed in Special Collections and Archives. A second exhibit highlights the work of Art Spiegelman, the comics artist and editor, best known for his Pulitzer Prize winning comic book memoir, Maus, A Survivor's Tale (1987). He is married to Françoise Mouly, the New Yorker art editor, who will be interviewing Crumb at the Carpenter Center.
Buster Brown from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 1, 1906.
A third exhibit using materials from the library's extensive Comic Arts collection focuses on "Early 20th Century Newspaper Strips" featuring Popeye, Li'l Abner, Little Nemo, and a full page of the Buster Brown newspaper strip from the April 1, 1906 issue of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Books on other newspaper strips are also shown as are several reference books on the topic. These early newspaper comic strips were highly influential on artists like Crumb and Spiegleman.
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VCU Libraries' 2,000,000th Volume is Marvel Comics "Amazing Spider-Man, #583" featuring Barack Obama. The comic book highlights the historic election of the 44th President; VCU's proud tradition of diversity; and the national stature of VCU's Comic Arts Collection.
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VCU Libraries' 2,000,000th Volume Celebration
and a look back at the 1,000,000 Volume.
October 2009 - January 2010.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
Two exhibit cases display materials associated with VCU Libraries' 2,000,000th Volume which was celebrated on Oct. 2nd, 2009 and its 1,000,000th volume celebration that took place in 1993. More information about the 2009 event is available here and here.
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Hispanic Heritage Month
James Branch Cabell Library,
4th Floor Exhibit Area
Hispanic Heritage Month is a month long observance (September 15 - Oct. 15) when America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Latin Caribbean. VCU Libraries is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting a special exhibit on resources in our collections relating to Hispanic history and culture. On display are a sample of the many books, films, and music recordings the library houses on Latin American society.
Also on display are two of the first Spanish language newspapers to be published in Virginia. Complete runs of the newspapers El Eco de Virginia and El Sol were donated to VCU Libraries in 2006. The issues were microfilmed and added to the Virginia State Newspaper Project. The newspapers can be accessed in the library's Special Collections and Archives department or on microfilm on the third floor of the library.
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The mastheads for
El Eco de Virginia and El Sol - Full runs of each newspaper were donated to VCU Libraries in 2006.
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Pop-Up Books by Robert Sabuda
April 2009 - December 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library,
4th Floor Exhibit Area
Robert Sabuda (b. 1965) is a pop-up book artist and children’s book illustrator. He specializes in paper engineering, or three-dimensional projects involving paper. Originally from Michigan, he moved to New York to study art at Pratt University. He currently works in New York City with studio partner and illustrator Matthew Reinhart. Sabuda’s pop-up books are all hand assembled by a small team of artists.
On display are 12 examples of Robert Sabuda’s pop-up books from the Betty Tisinger Collection. These pop-up books were recently donated to Special Collections and Archives by Betty Tisinger, a retired VCU professor from the department of Art Education in the School of the Arts.
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Alice in Wonderland (2003) by Lewis Carroll (Author - the original Book was published in 1865), and Robert Sabuda (Illustrator).
Special Collections and Archives
houses a large collection of Pop- Up Books.
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Charles W. Smith
(1893-1987)
and Richmond Magazine
Special Collections and Archives,
James Branch Cabell Library.
April 2009 - October 2009.
On display in the lobby of
Special Collections and Archives
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The April 1929 issue of Richmond Magazine featured a color linoleum block printing by Charles W. Smith (1893-1987) of the headquarters of the National Pepsi-Cola Corporation, 1224 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA. The 1920s era building housed the fledgling Pepsi-Cola company from 1923 until 1931.
The building at 1224 W. Broad Street would later house the Jack Thompson Furniture company. In 1998 it was demolished by VCU to make way for its Sports Medicine Building which opened in July of 2001.
This exhibit features eight issues of Richmond Magazine, published monthly by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce from 1914 through 1933, with cover illustrations by Virginia artist and educator Charles W. Smith (1893-1987). His covers were color linoleum block printings featuring Richmond buildings. Eight of his cover illustrations are featured in this exhibit. Smith was a graduate of the Corcoran Art School and of Yale’s School of Fine Art. After teaching at the University of Virginia and in New York, Smith moved to Richmond to work for the printing firm Whittet & Shepperson. In 1927 he was the first professional artist to be hired by the Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health (later Richmond Professional Institute and now VCU) to teach art. This occurred a year before a full time art program was developed by Theresa Pollak (1899-2002). Smith became chair of the art department at Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont in 1936. In 1947 until his retirement in 1963 he taught art and chaired the art department at the University of Virginia. He died in Charlottesville in 1987.
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Hardcover image of The award wining "Watchmen" Graphic Novel by Alan Moore (Author) and Dave Gibbons (Illustrator).
The film version was released in March 2009.
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The Extraordinary Alan Moore
Special Collections and Archives,
James Branch Cabell Library.
March 2009 - September 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
Alan Moore (1953-) is highlighted in this exhibit. The British writer is most famous for his influential graphic novels including Watchmen, V for Vendetta,
From Hell, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The exhibit uses comic books, graphic novels, and other materials by or about Alan Moore from the library's Comic Arts Collection housed in Special Collections and Archives.
Learn more about the writer from the Alan Moore Fan Site or by visiting Special Collections and Archives and reading the extensive collection of works held by the library.
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Islamic Minature Paintings
March 2009 - December 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries Miniature Portraits in the Islamic World were produced - they were intimate, colorful, and intricately detailed paintings that depicted the pleasures of courtly life. The paintings also served as historical documents because they recorded important events in the lives of rulers. Calligraphy frequently accompanied miniature portraits, especially in albums depicting famous epics. The height of each portrait ranged from four inches to one foot.
The books in this exhibit are part of a collection of art books collected by Dr. Jane Gaston Mahler (1906- ), a former art history professor at VCU. The Art History Department donated the extensive book collection to Cabell Library in the 1970s. Much of the collection is housed in Special Collections and Archives. Dr. Mahler was co-author of History of World Art (1949), an early survey text on art history. Her area of specialization, however, was the art of Asia.
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Leaf from a copy of 'Assemblies' of Hariri which shows two figures seated. Syrian, 1237.
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Richmond's Mary Johnston shown here in This 1901 photograph taken shortly after the success of her second novel, To Have and To Hold.
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The Life and Works of Mary Johnston (1870-1936)
Special Collections and Archives,
James Branch Cabell Library.
March 2009 - December 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
In addition to showcasing her many novels, this exhibit includes resources about the life of Richmond's Mary Johnston (1870-1936), a successful writer who played an active part in the suffrage movement in Virginia.
Three of Johnston's books were adapted to film. Audrey was made into a silent film of the same name in 1916 and her blockbuster work To Have and to Hold was made into a silent film in 1918 and again in 1922. Pioneers of the Old South was adapted to film in 1923 under the title Jamestown.
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Slavery and Reconstruction in Richmond, Virginia
Special Collections and Archives,
James Branch Cabell Library.
February 2009 - June 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
This exhibit coincided with VCU Libraries' Black History Month Lecture entitled "The Physical Presence of Slavery in Richmond, Virginia."
The event, held February 10, 2009, was a panel discussion and featured Dr. Jeffrey Ruggles, curator of prints and photographs at the Virginia Historical Society, Dr. Maureen G. Elgersman Lee, executive director of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center, and Delegate Delores McQuinn who has been a leader in the Richmond Slave Trail Commission.
The exhibit incorporates digital reproductions of many 19th century Richmond prints housed in Special Collections and Archives. The image above is of a Richmond slave auction published in the Illustrated London News, September 27, 1856.
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Photography and Typography Annuals
housed in Special Collections and Archives
March 2009 - September 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Two exhibit cases illustrate just some of the many art annuals housed in Special Collections and Archives.
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Black History Month - Feb. 2009
Jan. 2009 - June 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Our annual exhibit focusing on Black History Month includes a variety of materials on African American History including works published by or about Oliver W. Harrington (1912-1995) who is considered one of the greatest African American cartoonists.
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"Incredible Mr. Poe: Edgar Allan Poe in the Comics" - image of the cover of the exhibition catalog of the exhibit at the Poe Museum in Richmond.
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Bicentennial of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
Special Collections and Archives,
James Branch Cabell Library.
January 2009 - December 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area.
This exhibit is a celebration of the work of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) who was born 200 years ago on January 19, 1809. Born in Boston, Poe grew up in Richmond. The exhibit showcases a variety of materials related to Poe held by Special Collections and Archives including books by and about the writer. The exhibit includes color reproductions from the Southern Literary Messenger published in Richmond.
Poe wrote and edited for the magazine from 1835 to 1837. Special Collections and Archives holds a large run of original copies of the Messenger. |
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2008
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Front piece to the edition of the Cole Hoppus 1736 edition of
Andrea Palladio’s architecture, in four books.
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Rare editions of works by the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) held by Special Collections and Archives,
James Branch Cabell Library.
November 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
and Special Collections and Archives.
The exhibit was created to corresponded with the 16th Annual VCU Symposium on Architectural History and the Decorative Arts which celebrated the 500th anniversary of Palladio’s birth. Part I of this exhibit is located in the 4th Floor Exhibit Area and includes books and related materials on the influence of Palladio in Virginia and in the United States. Part II is located in the Reading Room in Special Collections and Archives and includes various editions of works by Palladio held in Special Collections and Archives . |
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Tatana Kellner's fifty years of silence,Published in 1992.
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Artist Books from the Women's Studio Workshop. November 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Two display cases in the fourth floor corridor feature several artists' books produced from the Women's Studio Workshop, located in Rosendale, New York. Special Collections and Archives is a repository for the Women's Studio Workshop,the largest publisher of hand printed and hand bound artists' books in the United States. Click here to learn more about the VCU Book Art Collection.
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James Branch Cabell Library, ca. 1971 - showing images of houses on Park Ave - all demolished.
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VCU 40th Anniversary Exhibit
October 2008 - March 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
VCU celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008. The University was established in 1968 when the Medical College of Virginia merged with the Richmond Professional Institute. The exhibit includes several blown up photograph images of the Monroe Park Campus from the last 40 years and documents pertaining to VCU's inception.
Visit Historic VCU for information and over 200 historic images of the University's history.
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Cover of Edward gorey's The Gashlycrumb Tinies: or, After the Outing
Published in 1963.
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Published works by artist and illustrator Edward Gorey (1925-2000).
November 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Special Collections and Archives houses one of the largest collections of American artist Edward Gorey's (1925-2000) books - over 50 titles and growing. Gorey's illustrations and stories are noted for their often macabre themes. For instance, in The Gashlycrumb Tinies (1963) Gorey tells the tale of 26 children (each representing a letter of the alphabet) and their untimely demise in rhyming didactic couplets - "E is for Ernest who choked on a peach. F is for Franny sucked dry by a leech."
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Tarzan of the Apes
August 2008 - January 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
This exhibit on Tarzan features comic books, rare books, movie stills, and various reference materials collected by Special Collections and Archives.
The official Tarzan site is Here.
Visit our Comic Arts Collection home page for more information about our comic book collection.
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Cover of DC Magazine's AUG 1973 comic book Tarzan - one of nearly 30,000 comic books held by Special Collections and Archives.
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Hispanic Heritage Month
September 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
In celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), Special Collections and Archives staff have chosen a number of materials from its collections that illustrate contributions from the Latino community to American and Virginia history and culture. These materials include two examples from our collection of local newspapers El Sol and El Eco de Virginia published in Spanish by and for Virginia Latinos. Another display drawn from the Comic Arts Collection features the works of the Hernandez brothers, graphic artists known for their collaboration on the alternative comic, Love & Rockets.
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Gay & Lesbian Collection,
Special Collections and Archives
October 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
In conjunction with the release and book signing reception for the book, Lesbian and Gay Richmond, by Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch, Special Collections and Archives mounted a display of Gay and Lesbian - related materials drawn from several collections housed in the department. Many of the materials featured were included as images in the book. The book is available from Arcadia Publishing.
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Lesbian and Gay Richmond (2008) by Alex Lorch and beth Marschak
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Manga Comic Book Collection,
Special Collections and Archives
October 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Manga is the Japanese word for comics. It is used in the English-speaking world as a generic term for all comic books and graphic novels that were originally published in Japan. However, Manga is often considered an artistic and storytelling style that can also encompass non-Japanese works.
Special Collections and Archives holds 800 manga graphic novels and 200 manga comic book titles.
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Cover of Akira, vol. 1., published in 2000, was considered a breakthrough in the manga form for its original artwork and story line.
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Richmond Zine Collection,
Special Collections and Archives
October 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
This exhibit focuses on the Richmond Zine Collection held in Special Collections and Archives. The department has nearly 100 Richmond titles of zines produced from the 1980s through today.
![Richmond Poets Agains the War! Vol. I, Issue I [2002]](images/zinetwo.jpg)
Richmond Poets Against the War!
vol.I., Issue I [2002] |
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Will Eisner Award Collection,
Special Collections and Archives
October 2008 - February 2009.
James Branch Cabell Library, 4th Floor Exhibit Area
Will Eisner (1917-2005), an acclaimed comics writer and artist,
revolutionized the world of comic books twice - first with the 1939 comic
The Spirit, a gritty, adult-themed newspaper comics insert, and again in
1978 with one of the first modern graphic novels, A Contract with God,
and other Tenement Stories. In between he and his company, American
Visuals Corporation, showed that comics could be used as popular
educational tools with such works as Comics and Sequential Art and the
U.S. Army Publication, PS Magazine.
In 1988, the comics community created the Will Eisner Comic Industry
Awards because of Eisner’s contribution to the appreciation and study of
comics. James Branch Cabell Library’s Special Collections and Archives
has been the repository for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards
Archives since 2005.
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Eisner Award winners along with the actual Eisner Award.
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