From the Archives: Staff Favorites
Ever wondered what treasures lie in the archives of ºÃÉ«µ¼º½?
The ºÃÉ«µ¼º½ Special Collections and Archives are home to innumerable interesting objects—from rare books and unique art to student theses and mysterious photographs. The Archives staff gave us a peek into the files and boxes, and let us know some of their favorite special items.
Tracy Drake, Director of Special Collections and Archives
Chosen item: The Liberator magazine, the Rare Books Collection, 1918-1924
What is it? A socialist magazine first published in the spring of 1918, focused on worker’s rights and women’s rights, promoting socialism as an alternative to capitalism. The publication was founded by labor activist, writer, and socialist Max Eastman, and his sister, feminist lawyer Crystal Eastman.
Why did you choose it? “The magazine had a staff of talented writers and artists that included Black writers and women artists. What I find most interesting about the magazine is Claude McKay, who was a famous Jamaican-born poet and writer. He first published his most famous poem of the Harlem Renaissance, ‘If We Must Die,’ in the The Liberator, and it then went on to be republished in other publications. The art and illustrations in the magazine show a period of great strife and turmoil, but also hope.”
Chosen item: First edition of Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston, the Rare Books Collection, 1942
What is it? A first edition of American author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston’s autobiography.
Why did you choose it? “Zora Neale Hurston is my favorite author and I just love seeing the first edition about her life on the shelves of our library. I love her so much that I named my first and only child Zora. I am also fascinated by all she accomplished in her life not only as a writer, but also as an anthropologist, and her dedication to understanding the lives of Black people in the South and Black Southern culture.”
Reed Womack-Hoffman, Special Collections and Instruction Librarian
Item: Metamorphosis: forms 1-5 by M. Prull, the Artists Books Collection, 2022
What is it? A book with images resembling x-rays of bones with sections painted over in gold leaf that responds to changes the artist has noticed while on testosterone for hormone replacement therapy.
Why did you choose it? “The Citra-Solv process used to print these is labor intensive and imperfect, and inevitably leaves gaps and holes in the image, which Prull fills with gold leaf. To him, this reflects the imperfect nature of being.
This is one of my favorite items because as someone who is currently on testosterone and identifies as a trans-masculine person, this is a piece of art I really resonate with and see myself in. There is such a beauty in the layered images and the stark contrast between the gold leaf and the images in black and white. The way that the subtle changes in the images of the body are layered over each other and represented on the page is very visceral to me. The gold leaf applied on the pictures reminds me of kintsugi in ceramics and does a great job of highlighting the beauty in imperfections.”
Item: “Toilet Paper Introduction” by Amiri Baraka, the Philip Whalen Collection, 1950s
What is it? An introduction typed on toilet paper between Amiri Baraka (born LeRoi Jones) and Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso.
Why did you choose it? “This introduction between poets is very open, honest, and even harkens back to the material it’s presented on: ‘I’m writing on this kind of paper because I think I am shit. So are we all etc…I am a poet. Yes, I will say it on toilet paper, too.’
I really enjoy this item because it is truly unlike anything I’ve seen before, and something I wouldn’t have ever thought existed. Finding this in the archive led me to do some research on the wild career and life of Amiri Baraka, as well as other poets from around his time, and also made me think about the preservation of toilet paper, which is something I had never thought about prior. This introduction also really highlighted the curious nature and artistic choices of poets and artists, which I don’t think I understand any better, but I do have a greater appreciation for.”
Jean McRoberts, Digital Archives Specialist
Item: Guerilla Girls’s poster portfolio, Artists Books Collection, 1985-99
What is it? A collection of posters from a group of feminist artists with the goal of fighting sexism and racism within the art world.
Why did you choose it? “Each piece serves as a visually striking reminder of the ongoing fight for equity, making the portfolio not just art, but a powerful tool for education and advocacy. I like the Guerilla Girls’ posters because they are both thought provoking and pleasing to the eye as a work of art.”
Laura Johnson ’25, History, Archives Student Assistant
Item: “Field Guide to ºÃÉ«µ¼º½ Clothing,” ºÃÉ«µ¼º½ Scrapbook Collection, 2006
What is it? A scrapbook made by a student in 2006 that categorizes all the different ‘species’ of Reed students by their clothing. Some of the types of students they write about include ‘The Hipsters,’ ‘Scrounger,’ and ‘Conspicuously Over-dressed Student.’
Why did you choose it? “This scrapbook is one of my favorite things in the archives because it’s a fun way to look at Reed’s past culture, and see how it has stayed the same and changed over time.”
Marissa Cooper ’26, Neuroscience, Archives Student Assistant
Item: Stereoscopic Atlas of Human Anatomy, Rare Books Collection, 1952-63
What is it? Anatomic viewfinder slides showing the working systems of the body.
Why did you choose it? “These are a great way to understand many working systems of the body all the while being entertained by a nostalgic instrument. They have a creepy nature to them as well considering the anatomical models appear to be cadavers. The quality of the slides are great as well. It has a 3D nature that makes you wonder why viewfinders aren’t being used in classes. They’re educational! They’re interactive! They’re fun!”