Robert Lichtman Exhibit (RLE)
Scope and Contents
Zines were made at several Lehigh Libraries events. For the Robert Lichtman Exhibition, staff created zines inspired by those on display. Artists Sara Solares and Christa Neu also crafted zine artist books. At a booth at the Lehigh Lounge festival in 2025, Special Collections instructed the public on how to make zines. At a Halloween event in 2025, students made zines inspired by Frankenstein. In 2021, at "Transitions: (Fan)Zines Marking Moments of Transformation, students made zines to reflect on their transition to Lehigh.
Dates
- Creation: 2021 - 2025
Biographical / Historical
In 2025, Lehigh Libraries acquired the Robert Lichtman Science Fiction Fanzine Collection amounting to over 15,000 items. This extensive collection spans nearly a century, dating from the late 1930s through 2022, and features commentary, fan fiction, criticism, conference proceedings, and other genres. Along with the printed works, the archive includes correspondence, original art, and several fanzine titles personally published by Lichtman.
These zines are part of a larger collection donated by the almunus, Frank Lunney, in 2021.
The exhibit accompanying the acquisition includes published foundational science fiction literature, including early examples of works that incorporate aspects of AI into their stories, such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, R.U.R., and Tik-Tok of Oz. Selected zines displayed include some of the earliest examples of this genre dating from the 1930s to those written during World War II and the Vietnam War.
Extent
From the Collection: .5 Linear Feet ([1] Box)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)
inspc@lehigh.edu