Carrying over from 2025, and reflecting an ongoing need for materials whose acquisition helps form the backbone of several long term projects, are the following:
- Original, non-commercial (i.e., amateur) photo prints, snapshots, negatives, slides, and 8mm films of the Dallas-Fort Worth area from the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly those showing buildings, streets, and important events. This includes amateur real photo postcards (aka RPPCs), and especially includes amateur photos from local music performances taken prior to the advent of digital cameras.
- Cabinet cards and CDVs produced in the Dallas-Fort Worth area prior to 1900
- Original memorabilia of any kind related to businesses located on or along Poydras Street in Dallas, from any time period, especially photos, postcards, business cards, advertisements, and physical promotional items (advertising handouts, branded items and other artifacts)
In addition to the foregoing, the following items are also sought for projects planned for this year:
- Original flyers and ticket stubs for local shows at area clubs and music venues from the 1990s and earlier, or originally made (i.e., not taken off the internet) high quality images of them
- Original 'zines from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, from any time period
- Original, non-commercial audio or video recordings of sites or important happenings in the DFW area (cassette, 1/4 inch reel-to-reel tape, microcassette, VHS, VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, 8mm film, etc.)
- Original billheads (letters with ornate company logos and company illustrations at the top) of commercial concerns in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex from before 1930
- Physical memorabilia directly related to area happenings, events, businesses, organizations, campaigns, etc., or local publications that qualify as vintage (i.e, thirty-ish or more years old)
- Physical media copies of recordings released by local music artists
When it comes to cabinet cards and other antique photos, billheads, and non-print physical memorabilia, I am mostly looking to acquire originals; in all the other instances, copies are fine as long as permission can be given for me to reproduce the materials on the site. Please reach out to me with any donations or suggestions.
I am also still looking for individuals interested in being interviewed about local music venues of days gone by. Please see the Ghosts of DFW music history blog series page for an idea of which establishments I'm looking to chronicle this year. Also, individuals affiliated with local historical organizations are always welcome to contact me.
