Jen Library Archives and Special Collections

Finding resources for graduate research can be a daunting task. Often there is either a wealth of information that is too broad or general, or there is too little and it is difficult to find. When students are selecting a thesis topic, sometimes it helps to start with sources one knows are available, such serial titles that are held in the library. Most SCAD students in Savannah know that they can go to the second floor and browse the titles in the current or bound periodicals to get a good idea of what is available. But there is another source that may be useful to some research topics — the serials collection in Special Collections on the third floor of the Jen Library. Many are not completely indexed in the online databases because they are older. They contain a wealth of information that would be useful for many researchers. There are a broad range of topics covered in our collection of serials and the Special Collections staff would be very happy to assist with these.

If your topic is architecture, history of architecture, or historic preservation, there are a number of architecture related titles that could be helpful. Le Moniteur des Architectes, 1866-1888, is a French architectural journal documenting some important architecture in France. Special Collections issues are unbound with separate plates. The Southern Architect and Building News, 1928-1931, contains articles written on architects of the time period who were working in the Southern states, some with articles of local interest. Documenting the use of concrete in building, Concrete Age, 1912-1923, also contains a number of articles about architecture in the South and in Chatham County.

Special Collections has a few gaps in the holdings of Architectural Record from 1893-1930. Later issues are in the main serials collection. This publication is aimed at the professional architect and engineer, but does contain a variety of interesting articles on a broad range of related topics. There are two publications entitled the Architectural Review, one published in Boston and one published in London. The Boston publication had some gaps in its publishing history, but Special Collections holds most years from 1891-1921. The London publication is still being published today and describes itself as an “architecture magazine with a global perspective.” Special Collections has issues from 1896-1899 and from 1906-1908. Later issues are in the main serials collection. Park and Cemetery and Landscape Gardening, 1904-1926, has articles not only pertaining to landscape article, but also includes architecture and sculpture. Tuileries Brochures: a Series of Monographs on European Architecture…,1929-1931, is devoted almost exclusively to tile roofing.

Volume continues Archis, and is described as a magazine for Architecture, City and Visual Culture. Students of Urban Design and Architecture will find it informative. SCAD holds 2005-2008 and it is currently received. Interior Design majors may find Nest: A Magazine of Interiors useful. They describe themselves on their website as “where high-style London and Paris interiors meet igloos and prison cells on equal terms.”

There are a number of serials that are specifically concerned with Georgia history, culture, and arts. Most of these are older serials that include articles about local history and lore, tourist information, and events happening around the state. These can be beneficial to the researcher seeking information about a local artist or building or event or a little background on Georgia culture. Golden Isles Life is about life and culture of the sea islands of the Georgia coast. A few others include: Brown’s Guide to Georgia 1972-1982, Georgia Life, 1974-1980, Georgia Magazine, 1961-1973, and Georgia Journal, 1980-1998.

Special Collections has both old and new titles for those interested in fashion and design. Older issues of Vogue are housed in Special Collections and although these issues are scattered, there is a representative sample of issues from the 1916-1949 in the department. American Fabrics is concerned mainly with news in fabric design for the fashion industry. It contains not only articles, but fabric samples and illustrations. It was continued by American Fashion and Fabrics. Together, both titles cover from 1952-1975, with some gaps. Visionaire is a quirky publication that is concerned with fashion and advertising. Always different in format, it offers a forum for visual artists, fashion designers, and image makers from around the world. Matrix from Aeropop publishing illustrates current runway trends in specific types of apparel.

Those interested in publishing, book design, fonts, paper, typography, and anything else that concerns printing and book, the Matrix: a Review for Printers and Bibliophiles is a great place to start. It is filled with important articles on all aspects of printing, book illustration history, and all other subjects of interest to the book arts person. Included are color, tipped-in illustrations, foldouts, broadsides, samples, and many more extras in every issue. A partial index exists in the department.

Contents began as a Savannah publication on culture, describing the first issues as “the Literature, Music, Art and Design Tabloid.” It quickly morphed into a much more polished publication, moving to New York and describing itself as “The Style of Culture.” Earlier issues were more general in their content, but later issues concentrated mostly on film, fashion, and photography.

Art Historians will find several titles of interest. The Art Amateur was intended for the self taught artist in the 1880s through 1890s. The Art Digest contains art criticism, information and news on the arts from the 1930s though the mid 1950s. In 1978, Atlanta Art Workers Coalition Newspaper began publication encouraging the growth of art criticism in Georgia. The Atlanta Art Papers, established in 1980, grew out of the earlier journal. In 1981, it became the Art Papers, which has developed into a nationally important journal of art criticism.

If you are looking for a serial on the fine and decorative arts from the 1890’s through the 1920’s, The Studio: an Illustrated Magazine of Fine & Applied Art is an excellent resource. It is dedicated to all aspects of the arts and contains a wealth of information for a variety of disciplines from interior design to ceramics and anything in between. Part of its value is that it provides commentary on artists, craftsmen, exhibition, and trends by their contemporary critics. In a similar vein, the Yellow Book: an Illustrated Quarterly, more of a literary journal from the 1890’s, took full advantage of the technology of the time and published illustrations from leading illustrators of the time such as Aubrey Beardsley, who was also the first editor, and articles by leading social commentators and art critics such as Max Beerbohm and Henry James. Its literary aspects will appeal to writing majors in both Professional and Dramatic Writing.

We have a number of SCAD serials. These titles are published by the college for faculty, students, alumni, or friends. Titles include such things as the Magazine, published for alumni, the anthologies produced by the Sequential Arts department, various publications of SCAD clubs, such as the Manga club’s Shoujo Phonebook and Silverworks, published by the Photography department. The Illustration department publishes Illustrious, showcasing students work. And, of course, we have the Georgia Guardian, the Chronicle, and the District, SCAD’s newspaper publications. These would be of great use for those with a SCAD related topic to research.

These are some of the highlights of the serial titles located in the Special Collections Department at the Jen Library. If your research topic coincides with any of our serials, we are here for you Monday through Friday from 8:00 through 5:00 and until 8:00 on Mondays during the Academic Quarters. Call us at 525-4757, or email the librarian, Deborah Rouse.