Michael C. Jacobsen collection of Coney Island memorabilia
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Abstract
Collection consists of Coney Island related memorabilia and ephemera that was collected by Michael C. Jacobsen, with items dating from circa 1880 to 1998. Among the amusement parks, rides, and businesses represented in the collection are Cook's Baths, the Cyclone, Elephantine Colossus, Luna Park, Nathan's Famous, the Parachute Jump, Steeplechase Park and Pool, and the Wonder Wheel. The collection contains assorted commemorative memorabilia, postcards, photographs, viewbooks, motion pictures, and other Coney Island related ephemera.
Scope and Contents
Collection consists of Coney Island related memorabilia and ephemera that was collected by Michael C. Jacobsen, with items dating from circa 1880 to 1998. Among the amusement parks, rides, and businesses represented in the collection are Cook's Baths, the Cyclone, Elephantine Colossus, Luna Park, Nathan's Famous, the Parachute Jump, Steeplechase Park and Pool, and the Wonder Wheel.
Memorabilia found in the collection include four ashtrays, one bottle opener, one pack of Brooklyn gum, three ceramic plates, three charms, one cigarette lighter, several coins, a Nathan's Famous button, two matchbooks, four paperweights, one pennant, one pin, salt and pepper shakers, seven silver spoons, two thermometers, one wooden box, and a View-master with three reels. Additionally, the collection includes fourteen glasses, mugs, and cups.
The collection contains a large number of tickets, tokens, badges, coupon books, and trade cards for amusements and bath houses.
The collection has an audiovisual component, and includes two VHS tapes and one Super 8mm film reel. One VHS tape is entitled "Coney Island: a documentary film" (1991). The film reel contains a 23 minute short film, entitled "Coney Island," originally produced in 1917 and starring Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton. The second VHS tape is a copy of this film.
Other items found in the collection include sheet music, brochures, postcards, photographs, viewbooks, magazines, and programs.
Subjects
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction. The motion pictures included in the collection are currently inaccessible due to their format. Please consult library staff for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
Items published or sold prior to 1923 are in the public domain. The copyright status of all other items in the collection has not been determined. Please consult library staff for more details.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Michael C. Jacobsen collection of Coney Island memorabilia, 2008.005, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Michael C. Jacobsen, 2008.
Other Finding Aids
A detailed inventory of the items found in this collection is located in the collection's accession file.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Minimally processed to the collection level.
Repository
Container
This finding aid does not include an online listing of contents.
To learn about viewing this collection in person, please contact cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org.
