Search

  • Articles
  • Catalog
  • Databases
  • Journals
  • UWDC
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Accounts & Lists
  • Libraries
  • UW–Madison
  • Give
  • Help
  • Website Search

schedule

Available 9 a.m.–10 p.m.

Additional Options

  • smartphone Call / Text
  • voice_chat Consultation Appointment
  • place Visit
  • email Email

  • Business Library
  • College Library (Undergraduate)
  • Ebling Library (Health Sciences)
  • Gender and Women's Studies Librarian
  • Information School Library (Information Studies)
  • Law Library (Law)
  • Memorial Library (Humanities & Social Sciences)
  • MERIT Library (Education)
  • Steenbock Library (Agricultural & Life Sciences, Engineering)
  • Ask a Librarian Hours & Policy
  • Library Research Tutorials

Search the for
  • Articles Find articles in journals, magazines, newspapers, and more
  • Catalog Explore books, music, movies, and more
  • Databases Locate databases by title and description
  • Journals Find journal titles
  • UWDC Discover digital collections, images, sound recordings, and more
  • Website Find information on spaces, staff, services, and more

language Website Search

Find information on spaces, staff, and services.

  • ASK a Librarian
  • Library by Appointment
  • Locations & Hours
  • Resources by Subject

book Catalog Search

Search the physical and online collections at UW-Madison, UW System libraries, and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

keyboard_arrow_down
  • Advanced Search
  • Browse by...
  • WorldCat

collections_bookmark Database Search

Find databases subscribed to by UW-Madison Libraries, searchable by title and description.

  • Browse by Subject/Type
  • Introductory Databases
  • Top 10 Databases

article Journal Search

Find journal titles available online and in print.

keyboard_arrow_down
  • Browse by Subject / Title
  • BrowZine
  • Citation Search

description Article Search

Find articles in journals, magazines, newspapers, and more.

keyboard_arrow_down
  • Citation Search
  • Library Databases

collections UW-Digitized Collections Search

Discover digital objects and collections curated by the UW-Digital Collections Center.

keyboard_arrow_down
  • Browse Collections
  • Browse UWDC Items
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Libraries
    • UW Home
    • My UW
    • Email/Calendar
    • Canvas
    • Box
    • Google Apps
    • Sign in
      • Loans & Requests
      • Lists
      • Poster Printing
      • Account Details
      • Archives and Special Collections Requests
      • Library Room Reservations
  • Help
  • Give

Search the UW-Madison Libraries

  • Articles
  • Catalog
  • Databases
  • Journals
  • UWDC

Dovie Horvitz Collection

The Dovie Horvitz Collection consists of over 1,300 images and scanned texts representing objects and printed matter that reflect the lives of women from the mid 1800s through the mid 1900s. The items themselves were collected by Mrs. Dovie Horvitz over almost two decades and remain her property. The University of Wisconsin System Gender and Women's Studies Librarian sponsored the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections project of mounting the photographs and scanned texts for their value to instructors and students of women's history. In Mrs. Horvitz' words, "[i]t is my hope that viewing these items allows us to peek into the personal lives of the average American woman, whose stories rarely included fame and fortune." The UW Digital Collections readily agreed to the project, seeing its value as well for those studying general American history, literature, material culture, health and hygiene, design, advertising, marketing, and numerous allied fields.

As a young woman in the early 60s, influenced by Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, Mrs. Horvitz often thought about how dramatically women's needs, desires and place in society had evolved over the generations. Years later, when her daughter was just going into her teen years, she wanted her to be proud to be a girl today as well as a woman of tomorrow.

She didn't know how to impart this sense of pride, she felt like words weren't enough to hold her interest. Then one day she was drawn to a vintage compact displayed at a house sale. Eureka, the collection was born and the hunt began. The "thrill of the hunt" took her and her husband Mike, and on occasion their daughter throughout the Midwest and across the country to collectable and antique shows where she was able to learn from and enjoy the company of the dealers and other collectors. The breadth of her collection expanded as she became more fascinated.

Objects in the collection include clothing (dresses, hosiery, bustles, garters, swimwear, undergarments, aprons, and more), accessories such as shoes and boots, hats, gloves, purses, fans, handkerchiefs, furs, and parasols; menstrual and other health products; cosmetic and grooming kits, powders, and related make-up items; dresser sets (combs and brushes); curling irons and other hair care devices; perfumes; boudoir pillow covers; eye glasses; and exercise equipment. The printed matter includes numerous women's magazines, Sunday supplement illustrations, sheet music about women, suffrage postcards, World War I and II posters, photographs of teen parties, and pamphlets about sex, health, and menstruation. Page after page of ad-filled women's magazines, as well as packaging elements such as hairnet envelopes, hosiery, handkerchief and hat boxes, constitute an important part of the collection because Mrs. Horvitz recognizes that advertising plays a significant role in our lives, past and present -- by reflecting the time in which each item was created and marketed, by drawing on themes and designs from popular culture, and in turn by influencing what becomes popular culture by creating the desire for specific products.

Mrs. Horvitz has researched every piece in the collection but if mistakes are found in the text descriptions, she welcomes hearing from anyone who can correct errors or provide additional pertinent information. Many of the items in the collection are available for sale, although ideally the collector would like a museum to have the entire collection. Interested parties should contact Mrs. Horvitz.

Dovie Horvitz Collection

The Dovie Horvitz Collection consists of over 1,300 images and scanned texts representing objects and printed matter that reflect the lives of women from the mid 1800s through the mid 1900s. The items themselves were collected by Mrs. Dovie Horvitz over almost two decades and remain her property. The University of Wisconsin System Gender and Wome…
Image Source: 'A word to the wise' art supplement by Charles Dana Gibson

Dovie Horvitz Collection Sample items in the collection

  • Pine glove stretcher
  • Pond’s round face powder box
  • Laymon’s Face Powder box
  • Fabric face powder holder for boudoir
  • Tam O'Shanter-style coin purse
  • Milady’s hosiery kits
  • Cigarette holder
  • White shoe dressing
  • Round chatelaine bag
  • Blue handkerchief
  • Suffragette coppette, Suffragette Series no.5 postcard
  • JournalThe ladies' home journal
  • Black cloche-style hat
  • Sterling silver curling irons
  • Fishnet cinnamon color hose
  • launch Search or browse the collection
  • This compilation (including design, introductory text, organization, and descriptive material) is copyrighted by University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

    This copyright is independent of any copyright on specific items within the collection. Because the University of Wisconsin Libraries generally do not own the rights to materials in these collections, please consult copyright or ownership information provided with individual items.

    Images, text, or other content downloaded from the collection may be freely used for non-profit educational and research purposes, or any other use falling within the purview of "Fair Use".

    In all other cases, please consult the terms provided with the item, or contact the Libraries.

Search within text

Permalink

https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/DovieHorvitz

Copied!

Libraries

  • Accessibility
  • Copyright Statement
  • Policies
  • contact_mailContact Us

Feedback, questions, or accessibility issues: libraries@wisc.edu

Support Libraries volunteer_activism
Privacy Notice | © Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

Keyboard Shortcuts

Close

Available anywhere

?
Shortcut help message
s
Highlight search box
esc
Close dialog

Available in search results

n
Next page
p
Previous page
f
Toggle filters
1-5
Open nth result on page