Do three-dimensional artifacts add value to an archival collection?
Archives, known for the preservation of two-dimensional paper documents, additionally house three-dimensional artifacts. A cornerstone of special collections is the emphasis of historical value. But how should a collection be contextualized and maintained for the integrity of the historical narrative? From individuals to organizations, collections are acquired in company with items that would not initially be associated with an “archive.”
Yale University delineates three-dimensional primary sources into various subsections of “types and formats” including ephemera, books and pamphlets, and objects and artifacts. Ephemera is defined as a material with “temporary or short-lived use in everyday life,” while objects and artifacts are identified as through functionality and their “intrinsic worth.”
The key is the significance to the creator of the records and the impact on the collection as a whole. What do these three-dimensional objects offer through their iconography and tangibility? For the Irving Wallace papers, delightful examples of three-dimensional artifacts for the book The People’s Almanac include promotional Eat ‘N Read lunch bags with the delectable quote, “Enjoy a hot book with your cold sandwich,” and puzzles with playful illustrations. Whether considered an artifact, ephemera, or an object, three-dimensional materials keep an archival collection from falling flat.
Stay tuned, Chelsea Fox
Works Cited
“Primary Sources at Yale: Types and Formats.” Yale University, 2025. https://primarysources.yale.edu/types-formats.