Arthur Hardy collection

The collection contains African American Carnival memorabilia consist of ball programs and invitations (1955-2019) for the New Orleans social aid and pleasure clubs of Zulu, Young Men Illinois Club, Original Illinois Club, Capetowners, Bunch Club, and Jugs Social Club King Nomtoc. Of interest is a series of articles (1991-2012) about African American involvement in New Orleans Mardi Gras by various local authors originally published in Hardy’s annual magazine, Mardi Gras Guide.

Of note are photocopies of the rare magazine, Sepia Mardi Gras in New Orleans (1955), and King’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans editions 1956, 1968, and 1972 published by Nathan J. King.