Peter Lewis Allen, Ph.D. is a scholar and author whose interests include culture, history, and sexuality. Among his publications is The Wages of Sin: Sex and Disease, Past and Present(Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000).

The collection is organized into two series containing the materials collected by Peter Lewis Allen. The materials in Series I include brochures, pamphlets, postcards, and magazines from the 1980s and 1990s. Series II contains condoms and safe sex kits as well as a t-shirt. The materials focus on HIV/AIDS prevention but also include subjects such as safe sex and STD prevention, pregnancy, abstinence, drug use, teenagers and sex, menopause, and birth control. These materials were in the main published and distributed by health clinics and organizations such as Gay Men's Health Crisis and Planned Parenthood. The collection also includes several international pamphlets from Europe and Latin America. Languages include English, Spanish, French, and Dutch.

The collection is divided into two series. Series I: Pamphlets and Brochurescontains the bulk of the collection. Series II: Physical Objectscontains condoms, safe sex kits and a t-shirt.

The folders are arranged chronologically.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers without restrictions. Appointments are necessary to consult archive and manuscript materials.

Use Restrictions

Collection use is subject to all copyright laws. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Director of Fales Library and Special Collections. For more information, contact

The materials in the collection were amassed by Peter Lewis Allen, Ph.D. The collection was donated by Peter Allen in 2007.

Published citations should take the following form:

Identification of item, date (if known); collection name; MSS number; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University Libraries.