William D. Edmondson papers

The William D. Edmondson papers, 1896-2006 and undated, has been arranged into two series: Texts and Artifacts.

Texts, 1948-2006 includes documents about the collection itself, letters written by Edmondson to archival staff, and articles about memorabilia, collecting, or election trivia. Also included are photocopies of the titles pages of the books Edmondson donated to Special Collections.

Artifacts, 1896-2004 and undated has been arranged into nine subseries.

Campaign Buttons, 1896-2004 and undated, contains buttons and lapel pins from the campaigns of numerous United States Democratic, Republican and Third Party presidential candidates. Most items date from the year that a candidate ran for office.

Political Papers, 1900-2004 and undated, contains bumper stickers from political campaigns; three invitations for the inaugurations of Johnson, Nixon, and Clinton; convention tickets to both Republican and Democratic National Conventions; and miscellaneous memorabilia, including pamphlets and small posters. Some items of interest include a pamphlet featuring George Wallace's views on racism, a small chapbook about the efficiency of a Catholic president, and cut-outs of Adlai Stevenson's shoe.

Ceramics and Glassware, 1966 and undated, contains five campaign-related beverage containers, including a reproduction of a whiskey bottle used by the Whig party to support William Henry Harrison's presidential campaign.

Republican Memorabilia, 1952, 1964 and undated, contains memorabilia of the Republican party, including store-bought party favors and tokens from various conventions.

Democratic Memorabilia, 1960 and undated, contains memorabilia of the Democratic party, including store-bought party favors and tokens from various conventions.

Candidate-specific novelties, 1964-2001 and undated, contains novelty items relating to presidential campaigns from Abraham Lincoln to Jimmy Carter. Some items of particular interest include Adlai Stevenson-sponsored cigarettes, Goldwater "AuH2O" soda cans, a Wallace tie, and a large wax bust of Richard Nixon.

Americana, undated, contains items not specific to any candidate or party, but rather general patriotic items bearing the United States flag or the presidential seal.

Campaign songs and records, 1928-1978, includes sheet music, 1928-1960, bound up in "songsters" and audio recordings (vinyl LPs and 45s) of campaign-specific or presidential songs. The most recent record parodies the Moral Majority, a political evangelical group from the late 1970s.

Toys and Games, 1966-1994 and undated, contains jigsaw puzzles, trivia, card games, and paper dolls relating to former United States presidents.