The Dowd Illustration Research Archive (DIRA) includes original art and printed material from many fields of popular American pictorial graphic culture. Focusing on 20th-century illustration, the collection includes artists’ working materials, sketches, and original artwork from books, magazines, and advertising.

Al Parker Collection

The Al Parker Collection includes material relating to Parker’s personal and professional development, photographs of artist models, original artwork, and published materials featuring his artwork. 

Gerald Early Collection

This collection consists of materials Gerald Early accumulated for scholarly research and teaching, including periodicals, books, and comics from 1950-2000.

Robert Weaver Collection

The Robert Weaver Collection includes original artwork in the form of sketches, paintings, and collages in addition to published material featuring Weaver’s artwork.

Rose O'Neill Collection

The collection contains career materials of Rose O’Neill, including original artwork published in Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan, books, proofs and tear sheets.

Walt Reed Illustration Archive Original Artwork

A portion of the Walt Reed Illustration Archive consisting of approximately 150 original works by American illustrators from the late 19th century to mid-20th century.

Walt Reed Illustration Archive Tear Sheets

A portion of the Walt Reed Illustration Archive consisting of 150,000 magazine tear sheets.