The Master Vertical File is usually the starting point for image research for our collection. It contains photographs 8 x 10 or smaller, organized in subject categories. The subject categories are created from Library of Congress headings. All the subject terms (e.g., Events--Exhibitions--Ill--Chicago--World's Columbian Exposition--Views and Maps or Streets--Il-Chicago--) are included in ARCHIE. Sometimes browsing a printed version of the subject headings can be helpful. On-site researchers may request one of the binders with this list at the reference desk.
This list is also available as a PDF via the link below:
Organized in similar categories to the Master Vertical File, oversized photographs are images larger than the standard 8 x 10 and are kept in flat files. Some headings are listed in our online catalog, ARCHIE, with the designations of H, H2, or H4 and a subject heading as the call number. H is the largest; H2 the middle size, and H4 the smallest. They may require additional time to page, but can be an interesting collection to explore.
For additional large format material organized by topic, see the section of this guide on the Broadsides collection, which consists of primarily text based material, often along with images.
A list of available topical headings by size is linked to below: