During the month of December, Gerber/Hart Library will host an exhibition of a comprehensive collection of Red Ribbons for AIDS Awareness lapel pins, and related objects, from the collection of Norman L. Sandfield. This exhibition is entitled, 'Red Ribbons: To Remind Us All ... .' An opening reception for this exhibition, with a slide presentation by Sandfield, will be held Sunday, Nov. 27, 4-7 p.m. This is the first in what will be a series of exhibits of lapel pins, buttons, philatelic items, and other collectibles and memorabilia with the Red Ribbons for AIDS Awareness ( and LGBT ) themes from the Sandfield Collection, which will be displayed at Gerber/Hart Library during the coming anniversary year.
Another part of Sandfield's Collection includes Red Ribbons for AIDS Awareness philatelic material ( such as stamps and First Day Covers from the United States, the United Nations, and many of the more than 70 other countries that have issued AIDS and Red Ribbon stamps, postcards, and postal information pages ) . It also includes the original artwork for all of the AIDS Awareness stamps issued by the United Nations.
Sandfield has also collected a great range of memorabilia and collectibles with the Red Ribbon for AIDS Awareness theme. These include the following: buttons, badges, telephone calling cards, bracelets, watches, Italian bracelet charms, key rings, buttons from the Names Project's AIDS Memorial Quilt panels and various AIDS Rides and Walks, stained glass panels, books, comic books, Beanie Babies and similar stuffed bears, calendars, scarves, T-shirts, coins and medals, pressed / elongated coins, refrigerator magnets, coffee mugs, return address labels, flags and banners, greeting cards, note cards, trading cards, stationary, pens, and cloth panels.
Another segment of this collection is Rainbows of Pride Everywhere, which includes Gay and Lesbian Rainbow Pride lapel pins, buttons, collectibles, and memorabilia. It also includes a complete selection of Chicago's Gay Pride Parade buttons since 1983; a large selection of Gay Pride pins from the Hard Rock Café; and many other LGBT political and business related pins and buttons.
The Gerber/Hart Library is located at 1127 W. Granville Ave. in Edgewater, near the Granville station of the CTA Red Line. Call ( 773 ) 381.8030, or see www.gerberhart.org .