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playing cards

Playing Card Collection Offers Insights into History, Leisure, and Art from the Past Two Centuries

The Edwards H. Metcalf Collection of Playing Cards is a newly processed collection that tells a distinct history of card playing with decks from around the globe dating from 1820 to 1940. The collection was donated by the estate of Edwards H. Metcalf, former Pepperdine board member and grandson of Henry Edwards Huntington, the founder of the Huntington Library, Art Gallery, and Botanical Gardens.

resurrection page

Depicting the Resurrection in the Saint John’s Bible

Pepperdine Libraries is the proud owner of a beautiful copy of the Heritage Edition of the Saint John's Bible. As Easter approaches, we prepare to turn the page of the volume of Gospels and Acts, currently on display by the spiral staircase in Payson Library. This season we will have it open to John 20:1-23 and the illustration of the resurrection that accompanies the passage.

Pat Boone dancing

Pepperdine Libraries Publishes Pat Boone Digital Collection

Pepperdine Libraries is pleased to announce the launch of the Pat Boone Digital Collection. This new collection features more than 75 objects from Pat Boone's personal archive. Pat Boone is the actor, singer, author, and songwriter for whom the Boone Special Collections and University Archives is named. The collection includes setlists, personal correspondence, and photographs with presidents, family members, and fellow performers on stage and in the studio. The Libraries is privileged to share a snapshot of Pat Boone's life and achievements.

Image of the Andersons in their cabin

Anderson Collection Offers Snapshot of Malibu Lakeside Community

The Special Collections team has made significant progress in making historical resources available digitally for researchers, faculty, and students. The most recent archival collection to be made accessible is the Annette and Doris Anderson Family Photographs. This wonderful collection of photographs provides insight into what life was like in the Malibu Lakeside community from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Four issues of The Negro History Bulletin from 1939-40.

New Acquisitions Celebrate Black Heritage

We're pleased to announce new objects added to our Boone Special Collections and Archives that celebrate Black heritage. The addition of these objects, combined with other recent acquisitions, demonstrates our commitment to growing the collection with more focus on communities of color and underrepresented voices.

Photo of The Innocents Abroad illustration

Authentic Accounts: American Literature in Special Collections

Nowhere is the diversity and the passion of America better represented than in its literature. From the earliest writers who drafted memoirs and official government records to the rise of the 19th-century novel to the culturally-prominent poetry of the 20th century, the writing of America is multifaceted in subject and perspective, analogous to its people and nature. Featured in Pepperdine’s Special Collections and Archives is a set of rare American literature selections.

Image of Margaret Bock at the podium.

Margaret Martin Brock, “Mrs. California Republican”

In honor of the 4th of July, we highlight a truly patriotic woman, Mrs. Margaret Martin Brock.

Massachusetts Spy masthead

New Acquisition: Early American Newspaper

Recently, Pepperdine Libraries acquired an edition of a newspaper from 1784. The masthead was engraved by Paul Revere, famous today for his midnight ride alerting the militia about the advancing British at the start of the American Revolution.

Historic photo of surfers and beach goers from 1960.

America on Vacation: Malibu Edition

Brendan Morris, special collections assistant, takes us on a virtual vacation looking at historic postcards of the area from collection.

Stack of CDs, with Cats on top.

Archival Processing of the Leonard and Joan Starr CD Collection

After settling into my his new position in fall of 2019, one of my Brendan Morris's tasks was to get a handle on the Leonard and Joan Starr Collection of Art and Music.