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Finding Aids

  1. Amherst College Toy Collection (to come)

  2. Harvis Toy Collection

 

Harvis Toy Collection

Summary

Identifier:                      114.6115

Finding Aid Author:     Julia Norakovic

Finding Aid Date:        18 September 2015

Description Rules:       Describing Archives: A Content Standard

 

Dates:                          1560 – 1998 

Extents:                       430 Linear Feet 

 

Subjects

Active Toys

Block Toys

Board Games

Dolls

Figurines

Electric/Motorized Toys

Stuffed Animals

Vehicles

 

Abstract

This collection contains toys, original and photocopied instruction sheets and booklets, photocopied patents, photocopied catalogs and advertisements, and original photographs of toys and individuals interacting with toys. The majority of the materials were compiled by Joan R. Harvis. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1840 and 1990.

 

 

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use by staff of Amherst College and by users of its library and archives. Though the donors have not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to Amherst College, they have given permission for Amherst College to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

 

Custodial History

The Joan R. Harvis Toy Collection was donated to Amherst College in July 2014 as a gift from the Harvis Family, and this forms the bulk of the Amherst College Toy Collection. The papers were accessioned by Amherst College under Object ID 114.6115. The papers were received from David Q. Harvis in an accession of 15 boxes.

 

Preferred citation for publication

Amherst College Toy Collection, Amherst College Library and Archives.

Processed by

Julia Norakovic, June 2015

Historical Note

The Harvis family have been toy makers and collectors in the Amherst, Massachusetts area since the 1820’s. In 1998, the Harvis Company was sold and ownership of the Company’s collection of historic toys and documents reverted to Joan R. Harvis and the Harvis Family.

 

Collection Scope and Content Note

The Harvis Toy Collection contains examples of toys though history and both original and photocopied instruction sheets and booklets, photocopied patents, photocopied catalogs, photocopied advertisements and articles, and original photographs children at play and other historical information. 

The Harvis Toy Collection is arranged into three series, one of which has been further divided into subseries. The collection is housed 25 archival document boxes, 285 archival artifact boxes and 102 archival custom housing containers.

 

System of Arrangement

 

Series I: Historic toy collections

Subseries A: Active Toys

Subseries B: Block Toys

Subseries C: Board Games

Subseries D: Dolls

Subseries E: Figurines

Subseries F: Electric/Motorized Toys

Subseries G: Stuffed Animals

Subseries H: Vehicles

 

Series II: Papers

Subseries A: Instruction sheets

Subseries B: Catalogs

Subseries C: Patents

Subseries D: Designs

Subseries E: Correspondence

Subseries F: Advertisements

Subseries G: Miscellaneous

 

Series III: Photographs

Subseries A: Photographs of toys

Subseries B: Photographs of children with toys

Harvis Toy Collection
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