Collection

Collections

Grunge

Guitars

Hendrix

Highlights

Hip-Hop

Science Fiction

Sweater worn by Kurt Cobian, c. 1992. MoPOP Permanent Collection.

Grunge

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MOPOP began collecting grunge-related objects in the early 1990s, as the movement was omnipresent in popular culture, and now holds several thousand objects related to the genre. Grunge emerged in the mid-1980s and closely identified with, but not unique to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

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Gretsch custom electric guitar formerly owned by Bo Diddley, 1960. MoPOP Permanent Collection.

Guitars

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MOPOP's collection showcases iconic guitars, basses, and related instruments that have shaped popular music. Explore the evolution of the guitar, a key element in Folk, Jazz, Blues, Country, and Rock music.

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Hendrix

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MOPOP was originally conceived, in the early 1990s, as a museum dedicated to Jimi Hendrix's life, legacy and career. This focus evolved and broadened over time, but Hendrix remains a vital part of the museum, with a constant presence and several thousand objects in the permanent collection.

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Sailor Mars animation cel from Sailor Moon S, 1994. MoPOP Permanent Collection.

Highlights

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MOPOP's permanent collection features more than 85,000 objects. While we add objects to this online catalog over the coming years until the entire collection is accessible digitally, MOPOP Curators have selected iconic objects from across genres and time periods, to highlight the breadth of MOPOP's permanent collection.

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Technics SL-1200 MK2 turntable with Stanton cartridge used by Grandmaster Flash, c. 1972. MoPOP Permanent Collection.

Hip-Hop

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MOPOP's collection highlights Hip-Hop's five elements and holds over 1,300 artifacts including flyers, fashion, manuscripts, photographs and more.

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Pris costume worn by Darryl Hannah from the film Blade Runner, 1982. MoPOP Permanent Collection

Science Fiction

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In 2004, the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame opened, dividing the space between music and science fiction. Since then, we've continued to expand our collection of artifacts from this iconic genre.

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Navigating the collection

Browsing

Collections

On the Collections page, you can search curated selections from our collection.

Community Favorites

On the Favorites page, you can browse user-created collections. You can add your own favorites to Community Favorites by registering on the site and creating sets that are marked "public".

Searching

Quick Search/Advanced Search

Enter keywords or names in the search box (Quick Search) to find objects or other records in our collection. To search on specific criteria, you can use the advanced search to search within certain data fields. You can search using multiple criteria, such as the term "portrait" in the title + a date range of "1800-1900". If you are not getting any results with advanced search, try broadening your search by removing criteria.

Search Tips

You can use an * (asterisk) as a wildcard in searches, to match partial terms (e.g. draw* will return results for draw, drawn, drawings, etc.)
Use quotation marks to get more exact results - e.g. John Doe will return any results with John or Doe, but "John Doe" will return results with this exact phrase.

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Types of Results

There are different types of search results, such as object records and people records. When there is more than one type of result, you can choose different types of records to view.

Grid/List Views

You can view a set of results in an image grid or list view. Use the dropdown to switch between different types of views.

Images

An image may be shown as not available if it is not yet available in our database, or if it cannot be displayed for copyright reasons.

Favorites

What Are Favorites?

Favorites allows you to create your own sets from the collection objects available on this site. You can share your Favorites with others, or create sets of artworks for your own viewing (Favorites are private by default).

You can optionally add a description for each Favorites set. You can view your collection sets by going to the "Favorites" page and logging into your account.

How Do I Use Favorites?

To use Favorites, you must first register an account. Once you have completed registration, you can start creating Favorites sets and adding artworks to them.

You can add artworks to your sets by clicking on the heart symbol while viewing objects, and selecting which set to add the artwork(s). After selection, you can choose to add all selected works on the page to a Favorite. You can also add the entire result set or all objects on a page.

How Do I Share a Favorite With Someone Else?

If you mark your Favorites set public, this Favorite will be visible to others in the Community Favorites section. The option to mark a set as public is available when you edit your Favorite.

After setting a Favorite set as public, you can also share the link to allow others to view your set.

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Research Requests

The MOPOP permanent collection is available to researchers, scholars, and anyone seeking to do more in-depth pop culture-focused research. While we don’t have a dedicated research facility, we are happy to provide access to the collection digitally and can accommodate in-person visits on a case-by-case basis. Please contact CollectionsInquiries@MOPOP.org with information on your project.

Donating an Artifact

MOPOP preserves pop culture history by collecting and preserving cultural artifacts. The museum accepts object donations on a case-by-case basis. Please send an email to CuratorialInquiries@MOPOP.org with an image and description of the item(s) you are interested in donating.

Please do not bring item(s) to the museum without making prior arrangements with the MOPOP Collections staff. Item(s) mailed without warning or left at the museum may be disposed of or transferred as the museum determines appropriate, without contacting the sender.

Online Collection Inquiries

Reproduction Services + Permissions

MOPOP can provide access to digital versions and image/footage reproduction services of most objects or oral histories in the collection. Permission for use is granted at the sole discretion of MOPOP and where MOPOP is the copyright owner.

Although MOPOP holds copyright to the images themselves, the items featured within may be subject to additional copyright. Requestor is solely responsible for obtaining any additional permissions required for publication related to copyright protections of items requested and provided. MOPOP will make a reasonable effort to connect the requestor with the copyright holder if known.

How to request use or reproductions:

Review the fee schedule.

Complete the inquiry form with the materials of interest and their intended use. All requests are processed in the order they are received. Approximate response periods vary based on the demand and material requested, but someone will reach out to assist with the initial request within two weeks.

Once the request is finalized and approved, MOPOP will provide an invoice and relevant paperwork. The invoice must be paid in full, and the paperwork signed before image(s) or oral histories are released to you. Licensing paperwork will only be completed when MOPOP holds the copyright to the materials.

The images or requested material will be provided digitally. We do not provide paper photocopies.

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Reproduction Service Fees

MOPOP permanent collection items and oral history reproductions often include staff time and expertise to complete. Reproductions and digitization are performed by museum staff, trained in the use of scanners and cameras that are designed to minimize potential object damage. Reproduction fees reflect this staff time.

The following fees will be assessed for the digitization of objects/media from MOPOP’s collection. When the completed request form is returned, an invoice and relevant paperwork will be issued for the fee charges. The charges must be paid in full before orders will be processed. Fees will not be refunded.

Service Fees (See non-profit use statement below)
Most images will be 300ppi at 6 inches on the longest side, unless additional resolutions are requested.

Images

Image (300ppi at 6 inches on the longest side)

$25

Image (600ppi)

$40

Image (larger format or oversize object)

$50

Oral Histories

Administration Fee

$150

MP3 of Audio

$75

MP4 Video

$75

Other

Rush Fee

$40

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Discounts on fees may be offered for non-profit uses, research, or for self-published works. MOPOP reserves the right to waive or modify fees or other requirements on an individual basis at the discretion of MOPOP. Such waiver of fees can be made only upon approval of written application.

Loan Requests

Outgoing Loans

MOPOP lends permanent collection objects to other nonprofit institutions to promote understanding and appreciation of pop culture. All objects are loaned solely for public exhibition and educational purposes.

Making Loan Requests

Loans are made in response to a written request from the borrower and are subject to a formal loan agreement created by MOPOP. Loan request letters must be submitted at least six months in advance of the exhibition start time.

Loan request letters should be sent to CollectionsInquiries@MOPOP.org. Requests should include a current Facilities Reports for all intended venues. A copy of the borrower’s insurance policy or proof of insurance may be requested.

Loan Fee and Costs

Outgoing loans may be subject to an outgoing loan fee. In addition, the borrower may be subject to paying all associated costs for the loan, including shipping, packing/crating, and courier expenses (this may include airfare, lodging, per diem and ground transportation). Costs of conservation, photography for condition reports, and mounts or framing may also be charged to the borrower. All packing and shipping arrangements must be approved by MOPOP in advance.

Questions or Errors

If you see an error, have additional information on an object, or if you are the creator or copyright holder and believe our collections database has not properly attributed the work, we want to hear from you. Please contact us at CollectionsInquiries@MOPOP.org.

Traveling Exhibits

If interested in learning more about our traveling exhibitions, please email CuratorialInquiries@MOPOP.org.

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Collections

Featured Artifacts

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Collections

Grunge

Guitars

Hendrix

Highlights

Hip-Hop

Science Fiction

Featured Artifacts

Navigating the collection

More Info

Content warning

Online
Collection
Vault