Date Span: | 1971-2015 |
Creator: | Fanzines |
Extent: | 5.00 linear feet. |
Collection Number: | MSC0331 |
Repository: | University of Iowa Special Collections |
Summary: |
Access: This collection is open for research.
Use: Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.
Acquisition: Special Collections Project Archivist Jeremy Brett began assembling this collection in early 2009. Individual donors include: Lisa Ahne, Sabrina Margarita Alcantara, Jackie Batey, Jeremy Brett, Ned Brooks, Ben Castle, Jon Cone, Jenna Freedman, Tony Hunnicutt, Kevin Kooyman, Anita Michel, Alex Pickett, Sapphira Sayre, Kelsey Smith, Jami Sailor Thompson, Mike Toft, Professor Rachel Williams and her Fall 2009 Art Education First-Year Seminar class at the University of Iowa, Fred Woodworth, and a number of anonymous zinesters.
Preferred Citation: Fanzines Collection, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa.
Repository: | University of Iowa Special Collections |
Address: | Special Collections Department University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, IA 52242 |
Phone: | 319-335-5921 |
Curator: | Greg Prickman |
Email: | lib-spec@uiowa.edu |
Website: | http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc |
Historical Background
The term "zine" (derived from the word "fanzine") refers generally to an small, informal, non-professionally produced publication. By their very nature zines are hard to define exactly, but distinguishing common characteristics of zines include a small circulation (sometimes via subscription but often distributed informally among interested parties) and a raison d'etre that stresses free expression over profit.
Zines are graphic expressions of their authors' social, cultural, and political interests and concerns. They are creative outlets devoted to individual and idiosyncratic self-expression. A zine can be about pretty much anything: politics, music, sex, gender relations, sports, pop culture - the list is virtually endless. As Julie Bartel, author of From A to Zine (2004) , notes:
"Zines are about diversity, creativity, innovation, and expression. As a group, zines deliberately lack cohesion
of form or function, representing as they do individual visions and ideals rather than professional or corporate
objectives. With zines, anything goes. Anything. They can be about toasters, food, a favorite television show, thrift
stores, anarchism, candy, bunnies, sexual abuse, architecture, war, gingerbread men, activism, retirement
homes, comics, eating disorders, Barbie dolls - you name it."
Browse by Series:
Series 1: GENERAL
Series 2: 2014 ADDENDUM
Series 3: 2015 ADDENDUM
This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.