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Special Collections Category Posts

Oliver Franklin: Building an Afro-American Book Collection to Maintain Sanity in Late 20th Century America

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Join the Brown University Library for a talk by Oliver St. Clair Franklin, OBE, CBE, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Racial Justice Resource Center on the second floor of the Rockefeller Library. Mr. Franklin’s presentation on collecting will include examples from his book collection and time for Q&A. … Oliver Franklin: Building an Afro-American Book Collection to Maintain Sanity in Late 20th Century America

“A Pictorial Dragon: The Art of Fernando Birri” Exhibit

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The exhibit A Pictorial Dragon: The Art of Fernando Birri is on view in the Harriette Hemmasi Exhibition Gallery at the John Hay Library at Brown University. The exhibition celebrates the centennial of Fernando Birri (1925–2017), the pioneering Argentine filmmaker, artist, and theorist of the New Latin American Cinema. Viewing the Exhibit In-Person Dates: September … “A Pictorial Dragon: The Art of Fernando Birri” Exhibit

Remedy & Risk: Patent Bottle Medicine Collection

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Discover medical history by examining glass bottles produced for various medicinal purposes. Driven by fear of illness, high medical costs, and an unregulated market, 19th- and early 20th-century patent medicines thrived through bold advertising claims and unique glassware. Before federal labeling laws passed in 1906 and 1912, manufacturers could conceal ingredients and make untested health … Remedy & Risk: Patent Bottle Medicine Collection

The Evolution of Cthulhu

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In 1933, Howard Phillips (H.P.) Lovecraft published the story “At the Mountains of Madness,” creating a world that has captured imaginations. It is the looming ancient god of the story, Cthulhu, who gives the Cthulhu Mythos its name, both of which have spawned countless works (and nightmares) since. Cthulhu Mythos Stories, films, songs and more … The Evolution of Cthulhu

Revolutionary Communication: Printing Independence and the Birth of the American Stamp

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Before the first musket was fired, the American Revolution was sparked by messages. This spring, the John Hay Library at Brown University invites you to explore our latest exhibition, Revolutionary Communication: Printing Independence and the Birth of the American Stamp, bringing together original maps, newspapers, and artifacts that show how communication became our nation’s first act of … Revolutionary Communication: Printing Independence and the Birth of the American Stamp

John Hay’s China Policy Symposium

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Join the Brown University Library for a one-day symposium on John Hay’s China Policy on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rockefeller Library. The interdisciplinary symposium will feature talks by distinguished participants ranging from historians and a diplomat to musicians who will examine John Hay’s Open Door Policy through … John Hay’s China Policy Symposium

A Pictorial Dragon, the Work of Fernando Birri: A Bilingual Online Exhibit

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View the online exhibit: library.brown.edu/exhibits/birri/ This digital exhibition, fully accessible in both English and Spanish, celebrates the centennial of Fernando Birri (1925–2017), the pioneering Argentine filmmaker, artist and theorist of the New Latin American Cinema. Featuring drawings, paintings, collages and writings from his personal archive he gifted to Brown University Library in 2008, this selection … A Pictorial Dragon, the Work of Fernando Birri: A Bilingual Online Exhibit

John Hay’s China Policy: Student Research from Brown’s Special Collections

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Join the Brown University Library for a presentation of original research by Brown students exploring the global impact of John Hay’s China Policy — and Brown University’s role in this history — drawing on rare special collections materials from Brown and beyond. Hybrid Event Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. In person: … John Hay’s China Policy: Student Research from Brown’s Special Collections