A Dozen Princeton Treasures

Bicentennial banner. First used in 1947 for the University's 200th anniversary, it has been part of Commencement, Alumni Day and staff recognition ceremonies ever since.
Class of 1892 Bells. The University's carillon contains 67 bells at concert pitch, with weights ranging from 14 to 12,880 pounds. (Pictured: Lisa Lonie, University carillonneur)
The Book of Kings. Composed more than 1,000 years ago by the Persian poet Firdausi, the Shahnama (Book of Kings) narrates the story of Iran from the dawn of time to the 7th century A.D.
Emily Dickinson's recipe for chocolate mousse: "… break an Ounce of Isinglass in a Quart of fresh Milk, placing in boiling Water till quite dissolved, adding afterward four table spoons Chocolate shavings and two of Sugar, boiling together fifteen minutes and straining before turning into molds."
FitzRandolph Gate maquette. Rescued from the trash, this miniature was given to Bud Wynne '39, who paid to restore it before donating it to the University Archives.
Olympic discus. Robert Garrett, Class of 1897, threw this wood-and-metal discus 95 feet and 7.5 inches to win the gold medal at the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.
Mathematical formulas in Jones Hall. Room 202 in Jones Hall has served as a communal tearoom and features 10 stained-glass panels of mathematical formulas.
The Class of 1923 Cane. The oldest alumnus returning for Reunions has the privilege of leading the Old Guard in the P-rade and carrying the Class of 1923 Cane — a black staff topped by a silver tiger.
Moon flag. Taken to the moon on Nov. 18, 1969, by Charles "Pete" Conrad '53 during the Apollo XII moon mission. Inscribed to Frederick "Bud" Redpath '39, then chair of the Alumni Council.
Hemingway's lending library card, Shakespeare and Company. Dated 1926, the card from Sylvia Beach's store is part of the Mapping Expatriates Paris project, Rare Books and Special Collections.
'The Bluest Eye.' Hand-written and typed notes from 1970 are part of the Toni Morrison Papers, Manuscripts Division and Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
University Mace. Presented by the community in 1956 on the 200th anniversary of the University's move to Princeton, this silver and rosewood staff is a ceremonial artifact used during public processions. At all other times, it is displayed in the Faculty Room of Nassau Hall.

Princeton's libraries, archives, and even offices house troves of treasures, from manuscripts to maces, banners to bells. Here is just a sampling of those treasures.

Photos courtesy of the Office of Communications.