Arranged Series of Ephemera

While most ephemera can be found by searching HOLLIS or HOLLIS for Archival Discovery, some collections of ephemera are arranged but not described. Library staff must physically consult these "arranged series" to determine if the item you are searching for is included in a particular series. Because they are organized in very specific ways (some by production title, others by personal or organizational names, others by venue and date) you will need to provide staff with the information specific to the arrangement of any given series.

In addition to instructions and tips for placing requests, this page provides lists of the series in two formats:

  • Lists of series that tend to yield results for the majority of projects. These are broken out into how the series are arranged (production title, personal name, organization name, and venue).
  • A complete list of the series.

The lists indicate whether or not the series has a finding aid describing its contents. When this is the case, or if the collection is only one box, you can place your requests from the finding aid or HOLLIS record as usual. Instructions on requesting material from those series without finding aids are found below.

Placing Requests

In order to request that staff search a series:

  • Consult the lists below. If you want to know more information about a series, clicking on the series name will direct you to its HOLLIS catalog record.
  • To request a box from a series, open the HOLLIS record, scroll to the Access Options section, and click on "Request to Scan or Visit." Log in to your HOLLIS Special Request account. If you don't already have an account, register before placing your requests.
  • After logging into your account, enter the required information.
    • Most series have been more fully cataloged. If this is the case, you will find a link to the catalog record and can request the specific box you want through HOLLIS or HOLLIS for Archival Discovery.
    • If a series has no finding aid and consists of more than one box you will need to enter a search term for stacks staff to check:
      • If a series is listed under production title, personal name, organization name, or venue, enter that information.
      • For series from the complete list of arranged series, enter the information asked for on that list.
      • Please note that staff will not search for material in an arranged series until you are physically present in the Houghton Library Reading Room.

Tips for Searching the Arranged Series

The arranged series of ephemera hold a wealth of information, but because they aren't fully cataloged it can be difficult to fully exploit them. Here are a few tips:

  • Information on productions can also be found by searching for associated people, organizations and venues - and vice versa.
Example: Portrait prints of David Garrick as Hamlet may be in an arranged series of portraits filed under Garrick, or in scene prints filed under Hamlet. Playbills may be filed in the series of London playbills, or in playbills under Garrick's name.
  • Subjects covered in specialized arranged series (e.g. photographs of dance or Shakespeare productions) can often be found in more general series (e.g. Theatrical scene photographs, ca. 1860-2010).
Example: Photographs of Shakespeare productions might be found in the series specific to Shakespeare productions, or in the more general scene photograph series.
  • It may be necessary to use secondary sources to discover the connections between productions, people, organizations, and venues.
  • Need additional help? Contact a librarian to ask a question or make an appointment.

Frequently Consulted Series Arranged by Production Title

Frequently Consulted Series Arranged by Personal Name

Newspaper Clippings
Series Name
Clippings on persons in the theater, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Clippings on dance, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Photographs
Series Name
Theatrical portrait photographs, ca. 1860-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Cabinet photographs of men, ca. 1866-1929 (see finding aid for contents)
Cabinet photographs of women, ca. 1866-1929 (see finding aid for contents)
Cartes-de-visite photographs of men, ca. 1854-1879 (see finding aid for contents)
Cartes-de-visite photographs of women, ca. 1854-1879 (see finding aid for contents)
Dance portraits, ca. 1860-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Prints (Visual Works)
Series Name
Theatrical portrait prints (visual works), ca. 1700-1900 (see finding aid for contents)
Theatrical portrait prints (visual works) of men, ca. 1700-1900 (see finding aid for contents)
Theatrical portrait prints (visual works) of women, ca. 1700-1900 (see finding aid for contents)
Dance portrait prints (visual works), ca. 1700-1900 (see finding aid for contents)
Playbills and Programs
Series Name
Playbills and programs concerning male "stars", ca. 1700-1930 (see finding aid for contents)
Playbills and programs concerning female "stars", ca. 1767-1962 (see finding aid for contents)
Programs by name, ca. 1930-2011 (see finding aid for contents)
Souvenir programs by name, ca. 1800-2011 (see finding aid for contents)
Sheet Music
Series Name
Sheet music about personalities: men, ca. 1800-2000 (see finding aid for contents)
Sheet music about personalities: women, ca. 1800-2000 (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection of sheet music, circa 1800-2000 (see finding aid for contents)
Sheet music about personalities: dance portraits, ca. 1800-2000 (see finding aid for contents)
Sheet music about personalities: authors, ca. 1800-2000 (see finding aid for contents)
Sheet music by composer, ca. 1800-2000 (see finding aid for contents)
Sheet music by author, ca. 1800-2000 (see HOLLIS record for contents)

Frequently Consulted Series Arranged by Organizational Name

Frequently Consulted Series Arranged by Venue

Newspaper Clippings
Series Name
Clippings on London theaters, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Clippings on Boston theaters, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Clippings on New York theaters, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Clippings on theaters in the United States, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Clippings on "foreign" theaters, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on opera, ca. 1800-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Photographs
Series Name
Harvard Theatre Collection photographic postcards of theaters in the United States, ca. 1870-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection photographic postcards of foreign theaters, ca. 1870-2010 (see finding aid for contents)
Prints (Visual Works)
Series Name
Harvard Theatre Collection on London theaters, 1616-1967, (bulk 1751-1875) (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection on New York theaters, 1822-1962, (bulk 1856-1900) (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection on Boston theaters, 1850-1972 (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection on United States theaters, 1793-1969 (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection on British theaters, circa 1600-1900, (bulk 1820-1890) (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection on Paris theaters, 1745-1945 (see finding aid for contents)
Harvard Theatre Collection on international theaters, 1662-1900 (see finding aid for contents)
Playbills and Programs
Series Name
Playbills and programs from London theaters, ca. 1777-1978 (see finding aid for contents)
Playbills and programs from New York City theaters, ca. 1800-1930 (see finding aid for contents)
Playbills and programs from Boston theaters, 1775-1988 (see finding aid for contents)
Playbills and programs from theaters in the United States, ca. 1800-1930 (see finding aid for partial list of contents)
Playbills and programs from theaters in Great Britain, ca. 1700-1930 (see finding aid for contents)
Playbills and programs from "international" theaters, ca. 1700-1930 (see finding aid for contents)
Souvenir programs by name, ca. 1800-2011 (see finding aid for contents)

 

Complete List of Arranged Series

Newspaper Clippings
Series Information to Enter in Volume/Box/Folder/Item
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on dance, ca. 1800-2010
See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on film, ca. 1900-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on Shakespeare productions, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on Shakespeare subjects, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on theatrical organizations, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on theater-related subjects, circa 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on opera, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on London theaters, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on Boston theaters, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on New York theaters, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on theaters in the United States, ca. 1800-2010
See finding aid for contents.
Harvard Theatre Collection of clippings on "foreign" theaters, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents.
Clippings on theatrical productions, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents. Include Production title in request.
Clippings on persons in the theater, ca. 1800-2010 See finding aid for contents. Include personal name in request.
Photographs
Series Information to Enter in Volume/Box/Folder/Item
Theatrical cabinet photographs of men, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents.
Theatrical cabinet photographs of women, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents.
Theatrical cabinet photographs of groups of performers, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection Cabinet photographs of European operetta performers, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of men with dwarfism, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of women with dwarfism, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of men in "freak shows", circa 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of women in "freak shows", ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection unidentified cabinet photographs, ca. 1866-1929 No information needed
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of popular entertainment, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of scenes, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of Gilbert and Sullivan productions, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cabinet photographs of Shakespeare productions, ca. 1866-1929 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection photographic portrait postcards, circa 1870-2010 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection photographic postcards of groups and scenes, ca. 1870-2010 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection photographic postcards of theaters in the United States, ca. 1870-2010 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection photographic postcards of foreign theaters, ca. 1870-2010 See finding aid for contents
Harvard Theatre Collection cartes-de-visite photographs of men, circa 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical cartes-de-visite photographs of women, ca. 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
Cartes-de-visite photographs of men in popular entertainment, ca. 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
Cartes-de-visite photographs of women in popular entertainment, ca. 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
French and Italian cartes-de-visite theatrical portrait photographs, ca. 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
German cartes-de-visite theatrical portrait photographs, ca. 1854-1879 Personal name
Cartes-de-visite portrait photographs of female dancers, circa 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
Cartes-de-visite portrait photographs of female opera musicians, ca. 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
Cartes-de-visite portrait photographs of male opera musicians, ca. 1854-1879 See finding aid for contents
Unidentified theatrical cartes-de-visite portrait photographs, ca. 1854-1879 No information needed
Theatrical portrait photographs, ca. 1860-2010 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical scene photographs, ca. 1860-2010 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical scene photographs of Shakespeare productions, ca. 1860-2010 Production title
Theatrical scene photographs of Shaw productions, ca. 1860-2010 Production title
Theatrical scene photographs of O'Neill productions, ca. 1860-2010 Production title
Theatrical scene photographs of Yiddish productions, ca. 1860-2010 No information needed
Dance portrait photographs, ca. 1860-2010 See finding aid for contents
Dance organization photographs, ca. 1860-2010 See finding aid for contents
Dance scene photographs, ca. 1860-2010 See finding aid for contents
Film still scene photographs, ca. 1900-2010 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical daguerreotypes, ca. 1830-1860 Digitized. Originals are restricted. Consult staff if needed
Theatrical ambrotypes, ca. 1850-1870 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical organization photographs, ca. 1860-2010 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical photographs by photographer, ca. 1860-2010 See finding aid for contents
Prints (Visual Works)
Series Information to Enter in Volume/Box/Folder/Item
Theatrical portrait prints (visual works), ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical portrait prints (visual works) of men, ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical portrait prints (visual works) of women, ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical scene prints (visual works), ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical scene photomechanical prints, ca. 1850-1930 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical portrait photomechanical prints, ca. 1850-1930 Personal name
Dance portrait prints (visual works), ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Dance scene prints (visual works), ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Dance caricature prints (visual works), ca. 1700-1900 Consult library staff
Prints (visual works) of London theaters, ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Prints (visual works) of New York City theaters, ca. 1700-1900 See finding aid for contents
Prints (visual works) of Boston theaters, ca. 1790-1900 See finding aid for contents
Prints (visual works) of theaters in the United States, ca. 1750-1900 See finding aid for contents
Prints (visual works) of provincial theaters in Great Britain, ca. 1600-1900 See finding aid for contents
Prints (visual works) of theaters in Paris, ca. 1600-1900 See finding aid for contents
Prints (visual works) of "international" theaters, ca. 1600-1900 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical caricature prints (visual works), ca. 1600-1900 See finding aid for contents
Theatrical organization prints (visual works), ca. 1600-1900 Organization name
Playbills and Programs
Series Information to Enter in Volume/Box/Folder/Item
Playbills and programs from London theaters, ca. 1777-1978, and undated See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs from London organizations, ca. 1700-1930 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs from New York City theaters, ca. 1800-1930 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs from Boston theaters, 1775-1988 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs from Boston organizations, ca. 1800-1930 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs from theaters in the United States, ca. 1800-1930 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs from theaters in Great Britain, ca. 1700-1930 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs from "international" theaters, ca. 1700-1930 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs concerning male "stars", ca. 1700-1930 See finding aid for contents
Playbills and programs concerning female "stars", ca. 1700-1930 See finding aid for contents
Programs by title, ca. 1930-2011 See finding aid for contents
Programs by name, ca. 1930-2011 See finding aid for contents
Souvenir programs by title, ca. 1800-2011 See finding aid for contents
Souvenir programs by name, ca. 1800-2011 See finding aid for contents
Programs for "modern" productions of Shakespeare, ca. 1930-2011 See finding aid for contents.
Sheet Music
Series Information to Enter in Volume/Box/Folder/Item
Sheet music about personalities: men, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents.
Sheet music about personalities: women, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents.
Sheet music about personalities: authors, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents.
Sheet music about personalities: dance portraits, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents.
Sheet music about personalities: troupes, ca. 1800-2000 Troupe name
Sheet music concerning baseball, ca. 1840-2000 No information needed
Sheet music for the circus, ca. 1800-2000 No information needed
Sheet music for dance, ca. 1800-2000 Dance name (e.g. Tarantella)
Sheet music for ragtime, ca. 1896-2000 See finding aid for contents.
Songster collection, ca. 1780-1910 See finding aid for contents
Sheet music by topic, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents
Sheet music by composer, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents.
Sheet music by title, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents.
Sheet music by performer, ca. 1800-2000 See finding aid for contents
Sheet music by author, ca. 1800-2000 See HOLLIS record for contents