Missionary Ephemera Collection

Collection

Call Number: RG 221

Scope and Contents

This finding aid represents an inventory of "missionary ephemera" held by the Yale Divinity Library. Images of some of the materials in the collection are featured in an online exhibit: Spreading the Word: A Selection of Missionary Posters, Games, and Ephemera from the Day Missions Collection. The descriptions of materials will be refined as possible in the future and additional images made available.

More than 100 Chinese posters in this collection have been digitized and described as part of the Chinese Christian Posters project at Boston University. See http://ccposters.com/library/yale-divinity-library/.

Dates

1795-2015

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The items were acquired by donation and purchase.

Arrangement

I. Artifacts
II. Calendars
III. Cards
IV. Children's Materials / Missions Teaching Tools
V. Diplomas, Certificates, Receipts
VI. Games
VII. Maps
VIII. Obituary Cards, Biographical Documentation
IX. Posters, Illustrations, Banners
X. Stamps, Stationery
XI. Miscellaneous
XII. Photographs and Filmstrips
XIII. Lantern Slides and Glass Negatives

Extent

40 Linear Feet (68 archival boxes; 13 oversize boxes; oversize portfolios)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/divinity.221

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection includes a wide range of missionary ephemera, including artifacts, calendars, cards, children's materials, games, maps, posters, stamps, photographs, and lantern slides.

Biographical / Historical

During the height of the missionary movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tens of thousands of missionaries went abroad, seeking to spread their Christian beliefs and bringing with them their devotion to Western civilization. This collection contains materials that were used to convey the missionaries' message to the people with whom they were working, including posters, broadsides, and tracts. It also includes materials used to encourage the home public to understand and support the missionary enterprise, including postcards, publications, calendars, collection boxes, artifacts, cards, and games.