Special Collections
Explore Our Collections
WashU Libraries collect, preserve, promote, and make accessible rare, archival, and primary source materials that enrich teaching, learning, and research for the university community and beyond.
The Julian Edison Department of Special Collections focuses on six primary areas: the Dowd Illustration Research Archive, Film & Media Archive, Local History, Manuscripts, Rare Books, and the University Archives. An active program of class visits, exhibitions, workshops, and public events highlights the department’s vital role in scholarship at WashU and the wider community.
To search our collections, visit the Special Collections Research & Access page.
To learn more about giving to Special Collections, visit the Donating to Special Collections page.
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Collection Rose O’Neill Collection
The Rose O'Neill Collection holds original artwork, Kewpie illustrations, and other published books, proofs, and tear sheet materials.View Collection about Rose O’Neill Collection -
Collection Craig Yoe Teaching Collection
The Craig Yoe Teaching Collection's materials encompass the story of the history of comics and their creators and will allow...View Collection about Craig Yoe Teaching Collection -
Collection Kartemquin Films Collection
The award-winning nonprofit production company Kartemquin Films donated the physical materials in its archives to WashU Libraries’ Film & Media Archive.View Collection about Kartemquin Films Collection -
Collection Charles Johnson Papers
Special Collections recently acquired the Charles Johnson Papers, an archival collection of materials related to the life and work of...View Collection about Charles Johnson Papers -
Collection Mapping LGBTQ St. Louis
Mapping LGBTQ digital collection uses maps to explore the St. Louis' LGBTQ communities from 1945 to 1992.View Collection about Mapping LGBTQ St. Louis -
Collection Al Parker Collection
Includes personal and professional development materials, photographs of artist models, original artwork, and published materials featuring his artwork.View Collection about Al Parker Collection -
Collection Walt Reed Illustration Archive
The Walt Reed Illustration Archive is a comprehensive collection that includes over 200,000 magazine tear sheets, 8,000 magazines, 1,200 books,...View Collection about Walt Reed Illustration Archive -
Collection Henry Hampton Collection
Henry Hampton's work in documentary film chronicled the 20th century’s great political and social movements focusing on the lives of...View Collection about Henry Hampton Collection -
Collection Holly Hall Book Arts Collection
Responsible for guiding the Department's collection of the book arts, Holly Hall was particularly interested in materials discussing the nature...View Collection about Holly Hall Book Arts Collection -
Collection Triple Crown Collection
This Collection includes the published output of the Kelmscott, Doves, and Ashendene presses, which together represent the pinnacle of English...View Collection about Triple Crown Collection -
Collection James Merrill
The James Merrill Papers consists of drafts, diaries, correspondence, photographs, and more that detail the life of this remarkable poet....View Collection about James Merrill -
Collection Joy Williams
Described as one of the masters of the contemporary short story, the Joy Williams Collection spans over five decades consists...View Collection about Joy Williams
Collecting Areas
Digital Collections
Digital Collections highlight those portions of the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections that have been made or born-digital.
Dowd Illustration Research Archive
The Dowd Illustration Research Archive (formerly Dowd Modern Graphic History Library) at WashU includes original art and printed material from many popular American pictorial graphic culture fields.
East Asian Library Special Collections
The East Asian Library's special collection includes about 900 volumes of rare and special books, manuscripts, and other materials.
Film & Media Archive
The Archive is committed to the preservation of documentary film and other media which chronicles America's great political and social movements with a particular emphasis on the African-American experience.
Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library Special Collections
The Art & Architecture Special Collections is a 4,200-volume collection of rare and unique art and design printed materials located at the Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library. The main focus is illustrated books, prints, and photographs from the 18th and 19th centuries and contemporary book design.
Local History Collections
The local history collecting area focuses on the history of St. Louis and the surrounding region.
Manuscript Collections
WashU Libraries' Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Manuscript collections contain a broad range of materials dating from the 2nd century BC through the present.
Modern Literature Collection
The Modern Literature Collection includes more than 175 authors, presses, and journals, more than 125 of which are represented by manuscript materials.
Music Special Collections
Special Collections at the Gaylord Music Library include sheet music, manuscripts, rare books, and digital materials.
Rare Book Collections
The Rare Book Collections include books from all Special Collection areas. The collections’ primary strengths are in literature, the material culture of the book, including the history of printing, graphic design, and the book arts, and aspects of American and world history.
Washington University Archives
The University Archives chronicles the history of WashU from 1853 to today with over 300 unique collections, including campus publications, reports, photographic prints and negatives, books, film, sound recordings, oral histories, architectural plans, and artifacts.