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Edward E. Marsh Ephemera Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0524

Scope and Contents

The Edward E. Marsh Ephemera Collection is largely comprised of over 30 loose-leaf, matching leather binders of collected ephemera, pulps, magazines, art, and manuscripts from key figures in the development of the science fiction and pop culture, including Forrest J. Ackerman, Robert Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and Jules Verne. The collection also contains original artwork from prominent science fiction illustrators such as Kelly Freas, Frank Frazetta, and Gerry Grace as well as sculptural works by Anne Fewell. Original limited ephemera from both film and literary works: Battlefield Earth, Dune, and Blade Runner are also included.

The collection is divided into nine series: Edward E. Marsh Golden Age of Science Fiction Library Binders, Ephemera Enclosures, Edward E. Marsh Author Library Binders, Edward E. Marsh Artist Library Binders, Original Artwork, Sculptural Works, Film Memorabilia and Collectibles, Artifacts, and Awards.

The Edward E. Marsh Golden Age of Science Fiction Library Binders are arranged alphabetically by author name with binder contents described at the item level and notes signed and limited edition copies. The binders highlight prominent Golden Age of Science Fiction authors and include serials and magazines, fanzine clippings, original manuscripts, photographs, and personal ephemera. Authors include Forrest J. Ackerman, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Will Durant, Robert Heinlein, Frank Herbert, and Jules Verne.

The Book Ephemera consists of various loose serials, news clippings, photographs, and other ephemera found in books within the Marsh Library. The items were removed from the cataloged monographs and arranged into a separate subseries.

The Edward E. Marsh Author Library Binders include materials collected in two subseries documenting Winston S. Churchill's writing, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940-1945 and 1951-1955; and Ernest Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea. The Churchill items are biographical magazine articles and a binder from the Centenary Trust medals. The Old Man and the Sea subseries contains promotional materials related to the published book as well as the film adaptation.

The Edward E. Marsh Artist Library Binders contain artwork by science fiction illustrator Kelly Freas and others. The binders represent original pen and pencil sketch drawings, lithographic prints, and published magazine covers. The majority of the art is signed by Kelly Freas.

The Original Artwork series is arranged in three subseries: Portrait Paintings, Framed Artworks, and Oversize Prints. The portrait paintings were commissioned works of prominent science fiction and fantasy authors, including many in the Marsh Library. The acrylic on canvas works were painted by Los Angeles artist, Anne Fewell and Judah Dobin.

The framed artworks are limited edition prints and off-set lithographs by well-known science fiction and fantasy artists as Frank Frazetta, Gerry Grace, Charles Wildbank, and Greg Winters. A large selection of the work are print rendition illustrations for L. Ron Hubbard's Battlefield Earth.

The oversize prints are unframed large format lithographs and prints by well-known science fiction illustration as Frank Frazetta, Gerry Grace, Shun Kijima, Gary Meyer, and Charles Wildbank. Many of the prints are exclusive and limited edition illustrations for Battlefield Earth and Mission Earth.

The Sculptural Works series is arranged in two subseries: Portrait Busts and Published Books and Film Related.

The portrait busts are both life-size and small format original cast sculpture bust of prominent science fiction and fantasy authors in the Marsh Library. Many of the busts are cast bronze pieces and rendered by Los Angeles artist Anne Fewell. Also included are commissioned life-size portraits of Edward E. Marsh and L. Ron Hubbard. Unique pieces include a life mask of Forrest J. Ackerman and a marble resin bust of Robert Heinlein.

The other sculptural works are items from Battlefield Earth, including a bronze cast sculpture rendered after Frank Frazetta's illustration, "Man the Endangered Species".

Included in the Film Memorabilia and Collectibles series are ffive subseries: Battlefield Earth, Bladerunner, Dune, Miscellaneous, and The Edward E. Marsh Library Film Binders. Materials in these subseries include action figures, film props, and promotional materials related to the films. The film binders contain pictures, scripts, promotional matierials, DVDs, and soundtracks of a variety of films.

The subseries incorporates a wide range of objects and collectible material from well-known science fiction films. The items are unique and range from replica film props, limited edition toys and games, and paper ephemera. Unique items include film prop knives used in Dune and an over life-size costume character statue of Terl from Battlefield Earth.

The Artifacts series contains items from prominent science fiction authors, including the leather briefcase of Will Durant and various E-meters conceptualized and manufactured by L. Ron Hubbard. E-meters are devices that record human electrodermal activity and are used extensively in the Church of Scientology.

The Awards series contains the Dissemination Edition bronze statue from the Printing Industries of America award presented to Edward E. Marsh, as well as awards presented to Forrest J Ackerman and Henry Mancini.

The Exhibits and Conventions series includes programs and guides from San Diego Comic Con and other conventions.

The series of Catalogues and Bibliographies includes catalogues from small bookstores across the United States, catalogues of major sales, and fan and bookstore directories.

The Audiovisual Materials series includes casettes and CDs of science fiction audiobooks, lectures, and radio shows, DVDs of science fiction movies and television shows, 35 mm slides showcasing the covers of science fiction magazines from 1909-1976, and vinyl records primarily of recordings of the music of Henry Mancini.

Dates

  • Creation: 1930-2014

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Biographical Note

Edward E. Marsh was born in San Francisco, CA in 1951. He was raised and educated in San Diego, attended San Diego State University his freshman year, and later pursued a career in real estate. He also joined the Church of Scientology and began collecting all things related to L. Ron Hubbard with a focus on science fiction. His Golden Age of Science Fiction collection includes complete works from well-known science fiction authors such as Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert, Robert Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells.

Extent

142.98 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement Note

I. Edward E. Marsh Golden Age of Science Fiction Library Binders

    1.) Ackerman, Forrest J.

    2.) Asimov, Isaac

    3.) Bradbury, Ray

    4.) Camp, L. Sprague de

    5.) Campbell Jr., John W.

    6.) Durant, Will

    7.) Heinlein, Robert A.

    8.) Herbert, Frank

    9.) Smith, E.E. "Doc"

    10.) Van Vogt, A.E.

    11.) Verne, Jules

    12.) Edward E. Marsh Library Binders (A-V)

II. Book Ephemera

III. Edward E. Marsh Author Library Binders

    1.) Churchill, Winston S. Library Binder

    2.) Hemingway, Ernest, The Old Man and the Sea

IV. Edward E. Marsh Artist Library Binders

    1.) Freas, Kelly Library Binder

V. Original Artwork

    1.) Portrait Paintings

    2.) Framed Artworks

    3.) Oversize Prints

VI. Sculptural Works

    1.) Portrait Busts

    2.) Published Book and Film Related

VII. Film Memorabilia and Collectibles

    1.) Battlefield Earth   

2.) Blade Runner

    3.) Dune

    4.) Miscellaneous

VIII. Artifacts

IX. Awards

X. Exhibits and Conventions

XI. Catalogues and Bibliographies

XII. Audiovisual Materials

Source of Acquisition

Edward E. Marsh

Accruals and Additions

2013-041

Related Publications

Edward E. Marsh Golden Age of Science Fiction Book Collection: http://libpac.sdsu.edu/search/X?SEARCH=%28%22Edward%20E.%20Marsh%22%29&SORT=D&b=cdsc

Title
Edward E. Marsh Ephemera Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Kim Schwenk
Date
12/18/2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
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San Diego CA 92182-8050 US
619-594-6791