Editor’s note: David K. O’Neil is an International Market Consultant. He has been creating and reviving public markets for 44 years, bringing people together and rebuilding local economies. David helped found the Public Markets program at Project for Public Spaces in the 1980s and has been deeply involved with the program ever since. You can follow him on Instagram @market.polo.

Earlier this month, the Penn Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania announced that its Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts acquired David K. O’Neil's remarkable public markets collection! David, a former General Manager at Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market and UPenn alum, collected an extraordinary number of public market-related items over four decades.

His collection includes tens of thousands of pieces that span four centuries, including historical documents, objects, and ephemera, ranging from blueprints and photographs to postcards and business records. While it features items from the U.S. and cities worldwide, it focuses heavily on Philadelphia's market history with items from 23 market sites in Philadelphia alone. David’s dedication to preserving the rich history of public markets will undoubtedly inspire future generations of researchers and enthusiasts. 

“The field is really growing; it’s really maturing. Markets are back and their status is rising again because people see their value. The markets are extremely important for that human-scaled interaction that is eternally supported by very, very small-scale commerce. It’s really a great building block of society.”

—David O’Neil, Penn Today interview

See below for some of David’s favorite pieces in his collection! 

Market stamps from across the globe‍

These philatelic works of art give testimony to each market's common appeal and enduring value—stamps of approval, you might say.
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Vendor tokens‍

Commonly made of brass, vendor trade tokens were used by market vendors (whose name appeared on the tokens) as a form of currency/barter/refunds with customers. Other vendor tokens were given to market porters as pay for completed tasks and redeemed for cash. 

Tokens were more common in Europe—in the US, tokens appeared after the outbreak of the Civil War when coins were hoarded by the citizenry. Small change was essential in the markets, so vendors began to privately mint a new supply of tokens for public accommodation.
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Wooden crates

Wooden crates were once common in markets and had many uses. Sturdy enough to haul products to market, they were also used to assemble orders delivered to customers by horse drawn carts, delivery trucks and trains. Most boxes were designed to be collapsible, saving storage space when not in use.
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Vendor trade and delivery cards

These cards come from Fulton Fish Market in New York City, which started in 1822 at South Street Seaport along the East River and operated in this location until 2005 when it moved to Hunts Point in the Bronx. 

When the market operated on the waterfront, it was made up of wholesale and consignment dealers purchasing and reselling an astonishing array of fish and seafood directly off boats docked in lower Manhattan. Cards with reinforced holes were attached with string or wire to outgoing orders, while others were enclosed with bills of lading or handed out like business cards.

Next up!

Penn Libraries is in the process of curating items and they plan on digitizing pieces. Curator Mitch Fraas says some items may also become part of a Libraries exhibition. In preserving and sharing David’s extensive collection of public market materials, the Penn Libraries not only honor the rich history of markets, but also encourage future generations of scholars and community members to learn about the vital role these markets play in sustaining communities!