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Travel guide and ephemera collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 351 large

Scope and Contents

This collection contains travel guides and ephemera from 1880-2007 covering regions, countries and cities from all over the world. It includes maps, sample itineraries, pocket guides, and picture books with text in several languages including Japanese, French, German, Swedish, Finnish and English.

Dates

  • Creation: 1880-2007

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the authors of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. For photocopy and duplication requests, please contact the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, Michigan State University Libraries.

Biographical / Historical

A travel guidebook is a book for tourists or travelers that provides details about a geographic location, tourist destination, or itinerary. It is the written equivalent of a tour guide. It will usually include details, such as phone numbers, addresses, prices, and reviews of hotels and other lodgings, restaurants, and activities. Maps of varying detail are often included. Sometimes historical and cultural information is also provided. Different guide books may focus on different aspects of travel, from adventure travel to relaxation, or be aimed at travelers with larger or smaller travel budgets, or focus on the particular interests and concerns of certain groups, such as lesbian and gay singles or couples. Guidebooks are generally intended to be used in conjunction with actual travel, although simply enjoying a guidebook with no intention of visiting may be referred to as “armchair tourism”.

Extent

5.8 Linear Feet (7 boxes)

Language of Materials

Multiple languages

Arrangement

The Travel guide and ephemera is arranged alphabetically by country.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Initial accession information unknown, but materials are continuously being added to the collection.

Existence and Location of Copies

Many items from this collection have been digitized by Adam Matthew and are available by subscription online in "Leisure, Travel & Mass Culture: A History of Tourism." http://www.masstourism.amdigital.co.uk.proxy2.cl.msu.edu/

Processing Information

The Travel guide and ephemera collection was processed by Kassy Fineout in June-July of 2008, with the finding aid updated by Kristin Lawless in 2016.

Title
Finding Aid for the Travel guide and ephemera collection
Status
4 Published And Cataloged
Author
Finding aid by Kassy Fineout, updated by Kristin Lawless in 2016.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections Repository

Contact:
MSU Libraries
366 W. Circle Drive
East Lansing MI 48823 USA