Tijuana Bibles collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Tijuana Bibles collection, C0387, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
.1 Linear Feet 13 booklets
Creator:
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Abstract:
Content warning: Graphic sexual content and pornography. A group of thirteen Tijuana Bibles, some featuring popular cartoon characters, such as Popeye the Sailor Man and his girlfriend Olive Oyl. They also feature public figures such as Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, as well as original characters, created circa 1930s.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Tijuana Bibles collection, C0387, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Content warning: Graphic sexual content and pornography.

A group of thirteen Tijuana Bibles, some featuring popular cartoon characters, such as Popeye the Sailor Man and his girlfriend Olive Oyl. They also feature public figures such as Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, actress Greta Garbo, as well as original characters. The comics are sexually graphic and pornographic in nature, with crude titles. These Tijuana Bibles were likely created during the 1930s, at the height of the comics' popularity.

Biographical / historical:

Tijuana Bibles - also known as "eight-pagers" - were underground, pornographic comic books that were created from the 1920s through the 1960s, though they were most popular during the Great Depression. Usually palm-sized, the comics often featured popular fictional cartoon characters (of the era in which they were created) in explicitly sexual situations. Sometimes the comics featured famous actors or public figures. Due to the illicit and illegal nature of the comics, the authors of Tijuana Bibles are unknown. The name "Tijuana Bible" came from the incorrect assumption that the comics came from Mexico, Tijuana being a Mexican city on the Mexico/U.S. border.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by Lynn Eaton in 2019.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in February 2022. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in February 2022.

Arrangement:

This is a single folder collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 4
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Pornography
Tijuana bibles