David P. Campbell Postcard Collection

About the Collection

The David P. Campbell Postcard Collection contains approximately 250,000 postcards that were collected by psychologist David P. Campbell over decades. With the earliest cards dating to the mid-19th century, this collection represents an historical look at natural and human science as well as global society and culture, encompassing a variety of themes including holidays, people, geographic locations, sentiments, and political and social statements. In addition, this collection showcases a variety of formats including photographic postcards and different media used to make them.

During the Spring 2018 semester, eleven University of Akron students began digitizing and cataloging approximately 1,000 cards from this collection to make them available to researchers, hobbyists, and the general public. Students in subsequent semesters continue to grow this digital collection, accessible in our online database.

About the Library

The David P. Campbell Postcard Collection is open to the public in the Institute for Human Science and Culture Library during our open hours. Visitors can explore the collection in David P. Campbell's original postcard binders, organized by category. The library also includes a mailing station with complementary postcards and U.S. postage stamps. Visitors are encouraged to write and send their own postcards to friends, family, and loved ones.

Please see our hours and admission to plan your visit.

Akron Postcard Club

The Akron Postcard Club is a free club that invites postcard enthusiasts from Northeast Ohio to gather once a month to explore all things postcards. Each meeting focuses on a different theme: history of postcards, artistic examples, unique materials, interesting messages, and more! Meetings are typically held on the last Wednesday of every month from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Learn more and explore our upcoming meetings.