Photograph & Graphic Collections

The photograph and graphic collections encompasses a variety of research materials, including photographs, postcards, historical maps, and ephemera, most of which are related to various aspects of the history, geography, arts, and industries of Arizona and the Southwest.

Photograph Collections

The University of Arizona Library Special Collections houses two photographic collections: the University of Arizona Photo Collection and the Arizona/Southwest Photo Collection. Arranged by subject and consisting of approximately 65,000 photos, these collections include images of the University from its inception to the present, extensive materials documenting Tucson history, a complete set of photographs of the William John McGee Expeditions of 1884-1885 and 1885-1886 documenting the Tohono O'Odham and Seri Indians, and photos of Native American groups of the Southwest. Click here to see the index guides to these collections.

In addition, many manuscript collections in Special Collections also include photographs.

Photographs in Special Collections must be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room and may not be photocopied, photographed, or scanned by customers. Services are available for digital reproductions. A fee is applied to reproductions used in publications and all other commercial and non-commercial uses; an application for permission to publish must be filled out prior to publication. For all questions regarding digital reproductions please email our reproductions service at AskReproductions@u.library.arizona.edu

Broadsides

Inherently ephemeral from the moment published, broadsides are a single sheet of paper printed on one or both sides and meant to be read unfolded. A most popular and visual document from the 17th century onward, the broadside carried timely information about events and topics of the day of interest to all. When posted on the streets the public was quickly informed of the issues at hand. Special Collections also houses a select collection of private press broadsides from the 1960s onwards. These small edition single sheets of paper often combine poetry and art. Most of our broadsides are accessible through the Library catalog.

Maps

Maps in Special Collections cover chiefly the Southwest from the 16th century through the present time. Most of our maps are in the Library catalog. The earliest view of the Arizona-New Mexico area is a 1556 map of North and South America.

Ephemera

Printed matter of a general nature is available in our collections of biographical and vertical files. Ranging in content from advertisements to programs to newspaper clippings and articles, the collections are arranged in an alphabetical listing and cover a diverse range of places and topics in the region. Click here to learn more about the biographical files and the vertical files.