Skip to main content
Notice: The Library is open for research by appointment only, please visit our research services page for more information.

Genevieve Pittner collection of roller skating rink stickers

Creation: circa 1941-1948
 Collection
Accession: 2012-213
View selected items online in the Hagley Digital Archives.
View selected items online in the Hagley Digital Archives.

Abstract

Genevieve Pittner (1917-2007) of Monroe, Michigan, collected roller skating rink stickers between 1941 and 1942, amassing a large collection by exchanging stickers by mail with other collectors. This collection consists primarily of roller skating rink stickers during the World War II era. A large album contains most of the stickers in the collection; stickers are attached to album pages and arranged alphabetically by state.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1941-1948

Creator

Extent

1 Linear Foot

General Physical Description note

1 album (524 stickers) : 15.25 x 11.5 in. 46 items (stickers). 4 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller. .5 linear feet (correspondence).

Biographical Note

Genevieve Pittner (1917-2007) of Monroe, Michigan, collected roller skating rink stickers between 1941 and 1942, amassing a large collection by exchanging stickers by mail with other collectors. She may have been a member of the Universal Roller Skating Sticker Exchange, a national network of sticker enthusiasts who traded stickers amongst each other.

Arrangement

Stickers alphabetical by state.

Scope and Content

This collection consists primarily of roller skating rink stickers collected by Genevieve Pittner during the World War II era. A large album contains most of the stickers in the collection; stickers are attached to album pages and arranged alphabetically by state. Most of the U.S. states are represented, with especially good coverage of California, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. A photograph, presumably of Genevieve Pittner, appears on the first page of the album. In addition to the album, there are also a number of loose stickers; many of these are stamped or inscribed on the reverse with the names and addresses of persons interested in exchanging roller skating rink stickers with others. Finally, there are four photographs showing unidentified people roller skating.

The collection also includes notes and correspondence from other sticker traders received by Pittner; this correspondence typically accompanied stickers traded by mail. Some of the notes are generic and impersonal, but many show a strong cameraderie among the network of sticker collectors, and indicate that, while on vacation or traveling, skating enthusiasts would make a point of visiting the "home rink" of other skaters with whom they've corresponded and traded stickers. In some notes, the wartime atmosphere is apparent; one sticker collector writes that he must give up collecting because he's been drafted into the armed services; another writes about how difficult it is to get to the roller skating rink due to rationed gasoline.

Existence and Location of Copies

View selected items online in Hagley's Digital Archives.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Related Material

Roller skating stickers, correspondence, and photographs (Accession 2015.308), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Separated Materials

Roller Skating periodicals and publications (Accession 20111228.MS), Published Collections Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Genevieve Pittner collection of roller skating rink stickers
Date:
2014
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400