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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Guide to the Superman Comic Book Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.0274
- Creators:
-
Austin, TerrySiegel, Jerry (cartoonist)Shuster, Joseph (cartoonist)Salkind, AlexanderLowther, GeorgeD.C. Comics Inc.National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Community Life
- Dates:
-
1923-1984
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.3 Cubic feet2 boxes, 1 map-folder
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The collection includes numerous newspaper clippings of the Superman comic strip, 1940-1950, promotional material using the Superman character, Superman comic books, 1944-1978 and illustrations of Superman drawn by Terry Austin in 1984. Dramatic scripts for TV and movie portrayals of Superman in 1977 and 1982 as well as a novel by George Lowther about Superman published in 1942 are also parts of the collection.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Collection organized into six series.
Series 1: Superman illustrations by Terry Austin, 1984
Series 2: Superman motion picture scripts by Alexander Salkind, 1977-1982
Series 3: Superman comic books, 1944-1978
Series 4: Superman (novel) by George Lowther, 1942
Series 5: Superman promotional material, 1947-1985
Series 6: Superman newspaper clippings and comic strips, 1940-1950
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Superman character was created and illustrated in the 1930s by two Cleveland high school students, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. At first unable to achieve publication as a comic strip, they got the character incorporated into a 1938 comic book, which was an immediate success. Since then Superman has been syndicated widely in newspapers, books, radio and TV programs, movies and animated cartoons. The character has been extensively used in commercial and public interest advertising campaigns.
Administration
Author
Dan Darroch
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
This collection was donated by D.C. Comics Incorporated, through Paul Levitz, Vice President, Spring, 1987.
Custodial History
This collection was transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life), October 5, 1987.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Dan Darroch, 1987
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation
Superman Comic Book Collection, circa 1930s-1985, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Related Archival Materials
Related Archival Materials
Superman artifacts and additional documentary material from D.C. Comics in Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) collections (separate transaction, accession no. 1987.0213). See also AC0106, Mrs. Curtis B. Patterson Comic Book Collection, 1901-1917.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Novels -- 1940-1950 | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Scripts (documents) | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Screenplays -- 1970-1980 | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Letters (correspondence) -- 1920-1930 | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Heroes -- 1930-1990 | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Comic strips -- 1930-1990 | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Superman (Fictitious character) in mass media | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Cartoonists -- 1930-1990 | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Superman (Fictitious character) | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu
