John Zeransky Western Film Ephemera Collection

Series 1: Advertising Cards (ca. 1910s – 1958, n.d.; 2002.203.8.0001-.0481) This series contains silent movie actor and actress cigarette cards from Germany, England and the United States, ca. 1910-1937. In addition to the collection of cigarette cards, the series contains trade cards from Koester’s Honey and Tosty Bread, ca. 1910s, Neilson’s Chocolate, 1923, American Carmel Company, 1921 and Topps, 1958. The Advertising Card Appendix contains the names of all actors and actresses represented in the series.

Series 2: Arcade Cards (ca. 1920s – ca. 1960s; 2002.203.2.0001-.2276) This series depicts western film stars from the beginning of silent films to the 1960s. Beginning alphabetically with Art Accord, one of the first silent western film actors, the collection spans the genre’s history including re-issued contemporary cards. The Appendix for arcade cards contains the names of all movie actors and actresses found within the series.

Series 3: Dixie Ice Cream Cup Lids & Milkcaps (ca. 1930s; 2002.203.3.0001-.0016) This series contains a limited number of movie actors and actresses. The Advertising Cards Appendix contains the complete listing for the series.

Series 4: Ephemera (n.d.; 2002.203.6.0001-.0489) This series consists of photographic copies or newspaper clippings of western movie actors pasted on card stock. These cards were created by John Zeransky.

Series 5: Lobby Cards (1912-1935, n.d.; 2002.203.7.0001-.0072) This series of lobby cards from such notable western films as Border Brigades (1935), Custer’s Last Fight (1912), The Show Down (1921), Two-Gun Terror (1916), and Tumbleweeds (1925) are represented within the collection. A variety of other films starring western film actors William Desmond, Dustin and William Farnum, Hoot Gibson, Buck Jones, Ken Maynard, and Tom Mix. A complete list is found in the Lobby Card Appendix.

Series 6: Magazines (1915-1993) Magazines found within the collection are listed under Subject Terms.

Series 7: Photographs (n.d.; 2002.203.4.0001-.0863) This series includes publicity photographs of western movie stars and film stills form the body of the series. Movie actors and actresses, animals, and movies represented within the series are listed on the Photograph Index Term appendix.

Series 8: Postcards (n.d.; 2002.203.5.0001-.0538) This series of western film stars in a variety of styles and color with numerous “playing card” postcards, ca. 1910s-1930s. Men, Movie, Multiple portrait, Unknown, and Women are the cataloged subseries. The Postcard Index Terms appendix lists the actors, actresses, animals, and movies depicted within the series.

Series 9: Subject Files (1912-1994, n.d.) This series consists of subject files maintained by John Zeransky includes inventories, clippings, and correspondence.