Rubber stamps on racks, 1950s-1990s

Item — Object: 4

Identifier: Mem_inv_0141

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The rubber stamps were used in the library between the 1950s and the 1990s for book circulation and internal museum communications.

Dates

Usage: 1950s-1990s

Extent

53 Object

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Physical Location

5-120 F-1

Physical Description

49 wood handle rubber stamps, and four brass racks.

Dimensions

15 (depth) x 32 (width) x 13 (height) inches

General

A rubber stamp is an image or pattern that has been carved, molded, laser engraved or vulcanized onto a sheet of rubber. The ink-coated rubber stamp is pressed onto any type of medium such that the colored image is transferred to the medium. The medium is generally some type of fabric or paper. They are versatile tools that can be used for various purposes, ranging from institutional to artistic. These rubber stamps were made by several manufacturers such as Front, Empire, and Douglas and Son. The rubbers are mounted onto wood blocks and have a wooden handle. Their engravings indicate actions such as “Stacks,” “Duplicate” and “Discard,” consistent with book circulation and museum internal communication. They are held in revolving and stationary rubber stamp racks made by Achilles.