Mark Childs Collection of Route 66 Matchbooks
Collection
Identifier: PICT-2018-002
Scope and Content
This collection of undated matchbooks are graphically notable and advertise businesses, primarily motels, on Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. The cover art generally illustrates buildings and signs, representing built forms rather than other types of art.
The matchbooks are undated, but appear date from the mid to late twentieth century.
The matchbooks are significant for their hand-lettered typography, stylized illustration, and eye-catching color and images. The covers are printed in in many color combinations, as one color, two color and full color illustrations, on white or colored cardboard. Many have printing on the interior as well as exterior surfaces. The unfolded cardboard covers range in width from 3/4 to 3-1/8 inches, with most 1-1/2 or 2 inches wide by 4-1/3 inches long. The matches were removed.
The collection is grouped by state and city, proceeding east to west.
Most of the matchbooks are from motor hotels, motels and lodges, with a few representing cafes, restaurants, tourist attractions, truck stops and service stations.
Additional matchbook covers were donated after the original accession was processed. They are arranged according to order of receipt.
The matchbooks are undated, but appear date from the mid to late twentieth century.
The matchbooks are significant for their hand-lettered typography, stylized illustration, and eye-catching color and images. The covers are printed in in many color combinations, as one color, two color and full color illustrations, on white or colored cardboard. Many have printing on the interior as well as exterior surfaces. The unfolded cardboard covers range in width from 3/4 to 3-1/8 inches, with most 1-1/2 or 2 inches wide by 4-1/3 inches long. The matches were removed.
The collection is grouped by state and city, proceeding east to west.
Most of the matchbooks are from motor hotels, motels and lodges, with a few representing cafes, restaurants, tourist attractions, truck stops and service stations.
Additional matchbook covers were donated after the original accession was processed. They are arranged according to order of receipt.
Dates
- circa 1930-2006
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for copyright compliance. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.
History
Route 66, the Mother Road, was commissioned in 1928. The highway originally ran from Chicago, Illinois through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending at Santa Monica, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles. In New Mexico, it covers 380 miles, generally on an east-west path. Businesses appeared along Route 66 to sustain travelers by automobile. Whether following a motel stay or restaurant stop, tourists often continued their journey with a matchbook in their pocket, a small but useful advertising gimmick.
Mark Childs, professor in the School of Architecture and Planning, acquired a collection of matchbooks representing businesses on Route 66 from each state the highway passed through. The collection grows from his research in urban design, public arts and spaces, and narrative landscapes, particularly his investigations of signage on Route 66 (in 2016, he published The Zeon Files: Art and Design of Historic Route 66 Signs.)
Mark Childs, professor in the School of Architecture and Planning, acquired a collection of matchbooks representing businesses on Route 66 from each state the highway passed through. The collection grows from his research in urban design, public arts and spaces, and narrative landscapes, particularly his investigations of signage on Route 66 (in 2016, he published The Zeon Files: Art and Design of Historic Route 66 Signs.)
Extent
125 items (1 box) : 125 matchbooks ; range: 0.75 x 3.18 in. to 2 x 4.33 in
Abstract
This collection of undated matchbooks are graphically notable and advertise businesses, primarily motels, on Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.
Physical Location
B2. Shelved by Pictorial Number.
Processing Information
Collection was processing in March 2018
Small additions have been processed in June 2018 and January 2019.
Small additions have been processed in June 2018 and January 2019.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Mark Childs Collection of Route 66 Matchbooks, circa 1930-2006
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Cindy Abel Morris
- Date
- © 2018, 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu