To mark the July 1 release of the movie,聽“The Legend of Tarzan,” the University of Louisville’s Archives and Special Collections will showcase its vast collection of “Tarzan” author Edgar Rice Burroughs’ work.
The collection contains more than 100,000 items in all categories of the author’s work, including first-edition books, fanzines, film stills, scrapbooks and posters, games and other memorabilia. It is considered to be the largest institutional collection of Burroughs’ works in the world.
Most of the collection was donated and curated by ASC Professor/Curator Emeritus George T. McWhorter as a tribute to his mother, who taught him to read early in life using Burroughs鈥 stories.
Beginning July 1, to synchronize with the movie鈥檚 release, ASC will exhibit editions of “Tarzan” in 37 different languages, to emphasize the worldwide appeal of Burroughs鈥 iconic character. It will be shown on the first floor of Ekstrom Library, in the west wing across from the circulation desk, and will run until September 2, one day beyond Burroughs鈥 birthday.
鈥淲hat better time to showcase some of this important collection, which means so much to the numerous fans of Burroughs, than at the release of another Tarzan movie,鈥 said Carrie Daniels, director of ASC. 鈥淛ust the fact that this story, with an indelible character at the center, prompts a major movie release shows the longevity and imaginative depth of Burroughs鈥 original tale.鈥
Known as 鈥淭he Grandfather of American Science Fiction,鈥 Burroughs (1875-1950) penned 63 novels, 21 short stories and 26 literary sketches. Originally writing for pulp magazines, Burroughs quickly mined a deep vein with his Tarzan character by capitalizing on the stories鈥 success and allowing for merchandisers to create knives, bows and arrows, belt buckles, watches, figurines, candy, bread, pop-ups, coloring books and costumes. Many of these items are part of the Burroughs collection.
In addition to the editions on display through the summer, all items from the 聽are available in Archives and Special Collections Research Room, Ekstrom Library, lower level 17. 聽Anyone with a photo ID is welcome to request, view or research individual items Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
