Inventory of the Wayne P. Ellis Collection of Kodakiana, 1886-1989 and undated

Collection Overview

The Wayne P. Ellis Collection of Kodakiana spans the dates 1886 to 1989, and was created by Mr. Ellis over the period of nearly four decades. Whereas many photographic collectors concentrate on cameras and photographs, Ellis emphasized advertising and marketing material. As a consequence, the collection is especially rich in print advertisements for Eastman Kodak products that were published in general interest periodicals beginning in the late 19th century. More unusual items are the product catalogs, how-to manuals for both amateur and professional photographers, serial publications for salesmen and photographers, and a variety of marketing and promotional items. There are several scrapbooks of advertising materials with considerable marginalia. The collection also includes training manuals and other publications for Kodak employees. In addition, many items in the collection deal with various aspects of the corporate history of Eastman Kodak from its earliest years up to the mid-20th century.

The collection contains little or no correspondence. There are scattered groups of photographs throughout the collection, though they are few in number. Many are formal and casual black and white photographs of Kodak staff members. Others were used for promotional or sales activities.

Processing Note

Some of Mr. Ellis's material was in excellent order; other items were in greater disarray. The collection has been arranged, as far as practical, according to the type of material. The series names given to each category are as clear and descriptive as possible.

No items were removed from the collection except for some duplicates. Decisions were made early in the processing of this collection, however, to separate several titles for individual cataloging. Notable among these is the entire run of the early periodical Kodakery(v. 1-19, 1913-1932) as well as many issues of the variably titled Photographic Reviewand Photographic Digest,and several others. All of these titles are part of the Rare Book, Manuscript and Special Collections Library and may be located using that library's online catalog by searching "Wayne P. Ellis" as a keyword. The separation of items may cause some small inconvenience to users of the collection, but it has been deemed impractical to reverse the situation after the fact.

Mr. Ellis also contributed over 160 books on various aspects of advertising to the Duke University Libraries; the titles have been cataloged in the usual fashion as individual books, and are identified in the library catalog as being part of the Wayne P. Ellis collection.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Wayne P. Ellis Collection of Kodakiana, 1886-1989 and undated
Creator: Ellis, Wayne P.
Extent: 8.0 Linear Feet, 6620 Items
Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Language: English.

Series Quick Links

Advertisements Series, 1886-1977 and undated
Eastman Kodak Company History Series, 1897-1986 and undated
Periodicals Series, 1907-1985 and undated
Product Catalogs Series, 1890-1985 and undated
Kodak Products Leaflets Series, 1912-1989 and undated
Photography Manuals Series, [circa 1890]-1987 and undated
Kodak Sales/Dealer Manuals Series, 1910s-1956 and undated
Other Kodak-Related Publications Series, 1888-1983 and undated
Marketing Samples and Promotional Materials Series, [189-?]-[198-?] and undated
Oversize Materials, circa 1918-1988 and undated

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

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Advertisements Series, 1886-1977 and undated

Chiefly single-sheet loose advertisements related to photographic products. Color and monochromatic illustrations. Organized chronologically within boxes or folders. Several collections of advertisements are housed in scrapbooks. NOTE: Serials titles given in boxes 11-14 represent full issues of these titles; issues contain at least one Kodak advertisement (many are on back covers).

Date	Event(s)
1915	Born in Des Moines, Iowa
1937	B.S. in chemistry from the University of Maryland
1937	Became a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials. Also eventually became a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists.
1939-1989	Worked for H. B. Fuller Company
1940-1990	Began collecting Kodakiana and related materials because of a "personal interest in business history and American entrepreneurs."
1974-1977	Served as Member of Board of Directors, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
1977-1979	Vice-President, ASTM
1989	Retired and became consultant on stands for materials such as thermal insulation, packaging, adhesives, building sealants and other materials.
1993 25 Sept.	Died in Sellersville, Pa.