With a special focus on Philadelphia, the Theatre Collection contains research materials on the history of American theatre, early film, and popular entertainment. You can find significant reference books, periodicals, programs, clipping files, reviews, photographs, posters, film stills and other memorabilia. The collection chronicles local theatre, with playbills dating back to 1803. It also maintains the Lubin Film Company Archive (1912-1916), and other rare items on the silent and classic film eras.