Cocktail Ephemera Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright for individual items may vary. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives for more information on copying or publishing items from Cocktail Ephemera Collection.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Cocktail Ephemera Collection, Ms2013-027, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
1.59 Cubic Feet 6 boxes; 1 oversize folder
Abstract:
The Cocktail Ephemera Collection is a collection that was created in 2013. The collection consists of materials in a variety of formats (i.e., postcards, pamphlets, and adverstising ephemera) relating to the history of the cocktails, spirits, and wine, dating from the about the 1870s to the present.
Language:
The majority of the items in the collection are in English, but the collection does also include postcards in French, Russian, and German and wine labels in several languages. There is also a receipt in Spanish.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Cocktail Ephemera Collection, Ms2013-027, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Cocktail Ephemera Collection is a collection that was created in 2013. The collection consists of materials in a variety of formats relating to the history of the cocktails, dating from the about the 1870s to the present. Materials include advertising and promotional items; pamphlets with recipes and suggestions for entertaining (party games, themes, and more); and postcards. The focus of the collection is cocktails, but some materials also relate to wine and beer in their own right, as well as ingredients in mixed drinks.

Acquisition information:
Initial materials in the Cocktail Ephemera Collection consisted of five individual purchases, made between 2012 and 2013. Additional materials are expected in the future.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Cocktail Ephemera Collection was completed in July 2013. Further description is expected when new materials are added to the collection.

Arrangement:

At its creation, the collection was established with three series: Series I: Advertising/Promotional Materials; Series II: Pamphlets; and Series III: Postcards/Cards. The Advertising/Promotional Materials and Pamphlet series are organized into three subseries each: Beer, Cocktails/Punch, and Wine. The Postcards/Cards series is arranged in alphabetical subseries based on cover images: Bars and Restaurants; Beers, Wines, and Liquor; Holidays; People and Scenery; Quotes and Text; and Recipes.

Additional series have been added to the collection over time (as well as additional items added to existing series). Series IV: Labels contains unused labels from bottles, mostly wines, but also some harder spirits and government organizations. Series V: Artifacts includes a small collection of 3-D items that were advertisements or feature cocktails recipes or advertisements on them. Examples of this include a vintage Bakelike faux shaker with recipes on an embedded rolodex and a tape measure with inches on one side and recipes on the other. Series VI: Menus/Drink Lists/Recipes contains menus or suggested drink lists from cafes, bars, restaurants, and hotels. Series V: Receipts includes documents that reflect transactions relating to cocktail, ingredients, and equipment/supplies.

Additional series, subseries, and items are expected as the collection expands.