Marian postcard collection
Scope and Contents
The Marian postcard collection contains approximately 41,000 photographic and picture postcards (as of 2019) documenting: Marian shrines around the world, Marian artwork, and Marian themes. The shrine postcards include images of shrine statues and art works; interiors and exteriors of structures including churches, basilicas, sanctuaries, and grottos; pilgrimages and celebrations at shrines; and other images related to Catholic shrines and churches in over 70 countries. The countries that are most well represented in the collection include Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United States. The Marian artwork postcards depict reproductions of paintings and prints, as well as photographs of statues. The Marian themes collection includes postcards depicting the life of Mary and aspects of Marian doctrine.
Materials in the collection date from circa 1900 through the present day. Some postcards include handwritten correspondence or notes on the verso.
Dates
- circa 1900-present
- Majority of material found within 1960 - 2000
Creator
- Marian Library (Collector, Organization)
Access
This collection is open and available to the public for research in the Marian Library reading room. The materials are non-circulating.
Copyright Notice
The materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The materials are available for personal, educational, and scholarly use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to locate and obtain permission form the copyright owner or his or her heirs for any other use, such as reproduction and publication.
History of the Marian Library
The Marian Library was founded by the Marianists of the University of Dayton in 1943 to make the Blessed Virgin Mary better known, loved, and served. It is a special library whose presence on campus is a significant expression of the university's Catholic and Marianist identity. Its collections are developed and maintained to preserve and provide access to materials that support its mission of fostering Marian scholarship and sound Marian devotion.
The Marian Library is recognized both nationally and internationally as a center for scholarship on the Blessed Virgin Mary. It serves the research needs of faculty and students of the International Marian Research Institute and of the broader University of Dayton community, and of visitors throughout the world. It also documents the diverse expressions of popular devotion to Mary, and it provides public outreach through its exhibits, tours, and reference services.
For more information on the Marian Library, please see the website of the Marian Library.
The Marian postcard collection was started by members of the Marian Library staff circa 1960.
Extent
29.5 Linear Feet (58 boxes)
Language of Materials
Multiple languages
Abstract
The Marian postcard collection contains approximately 41,000 photographic and picture postcards (as of 2019) documenting: Marian shrines around the world, Marian artwork, and Marian themes. The shrine postcards include images of shrine statues and art works; interiors and exteriors of structures including churches, basilicas, sanctuaries, and grottos; pilgrimages and celebrations at shrines; and other images related to Catholic shrines and churches in over 70 countries. The countries that are most well represented in the collection include Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Materials in the collection date from circa 1900 through the present day. Some postcards include handwritten correspondence or notes on the verso.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three categories: Marian shrines, Marian art, and Marian themes. Postcards depicting Marian shrines are arranged alphabetically by country. Marian art postcards are arranged by the artist's last name. Marian themes are largely arranged chronologically through the timeline of Mary's life.
Acquisition Information
The materials in this collection were acquired by Marian Library staff from a variety of sources.
Accruals
The repository continues to selectively add materials to this collection.
- Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint -- Art Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint -- Pictorial works Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint -- Shrines Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint -- Shrines -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Marian postcard collection, circa 1900-present
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jillian Slater; revised by Colleen Hoelscher, Kristin Shelley, Kayla Harris
- Date
- 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- Marian Library
Repository Details
Part of the University Libraries Repository
300 College Park Dr.
Dayton Ohio 45469-1360
