The Ted Croll Victorian Era Dental Advertising Trade Card Collection.

Area of Science:

• Dental History
• Medical Ephemera
• Collecting Studies

Background:

• Victorian-era dental trade cards are prized collector's items.
• Dr. Ted Croll, a pediatric dentist, amassed a significant collection over 50 years.
• These cards hold historical and artistic importance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the distinctive nature of Dr. Croll's dental trade card collection.
• To document the systematic organization of the collection.
• To highlight the collection's value for historical research in dentistry.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of the Croll Collection.
• Examination of the collection's organizational structure.
• Assessment of the collection's historical and artistic significance.

Main Results:

• The Croll Collection is a comprehensive assemblage of Victorian dental trade cards.
• The collection is systematically organized, facilitating research.
• The 2024 donation ensures the collection's preservation and accessibility for scholarship.

Conclusions:

• Dr. Croll's donation significantly enriches the historical resources available at NYU College of Dentistry.
• The collection serves as a valuable tool for understanding the history of dentistry.
• This paper underscores the importance of preserving such unique historical artifacts.