The University of Chicago got a package delivered for Indiana Jones

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

So, either this is a very elaborate marketing ploy or someone has a lot of free time on their hands. Either way, this is pretty damn cool.

The University of Chicago received a very elaborate package addressed to Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr. or as many of you may know him, Indiana Jones. BadAss Digest shared the story which the university also posted to their Tumblr page. There is no return address nor any indication who sent the package to the school. Whoever it was has an eye for detail as the images below attest. This is a meticulously crafted ode to RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and the other George Lucas/Steven Spielberg films.

The University of Chicago was where Ravenwood was tenured and where he mentored Jones. Why this was sent now and not closer to the release of anything related to the Indiana Jones franchise is a mystery.

From the University of Chicago Tumblr: The package contained an incredibly detailed replica of “University of Chicago Professor” Abner Ravenwood’s journal from INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. It looks only sort of like this one, but almost exactly like this one, so much so that we thought it might have been the one that was for sale on Ebay had we not seen some telling inconsistencies in cover color and “Ex Libris” page (and distinct lack of sword). The book itself is a bit dusty, and the cover is teal fabric with a red velvet spine, with weathered inserts and many postcards/pictures of Marion Ravenwood (and some cool old replica money) included. It’s clear that it is mostly, but not completely handmade, as although the included paper is weathered all of the “handwriting” and calligraphy lacks the telltale pressure marks of actual handwriting.

The package does not actually have real stamps on it— the outside of the package was crinkly and dirty as if it came through the mail, but the stamps themselves are pasted on and look like they have been photocopied. There is no US postage on the package, but we did receive it in a bin of mail, and it is addressed to the physical address of our building, Rosenwald Hall, which has a distinctly different address from any other buildings where it might be appropriate to send it (Haskell Hall or the Oriental Institute Museum). However, although now home to the Econ department and College Admissions, Rosenwald Hall used to be the home to our departments of geology and geography.

The school is looking to find out who sent the package, so if you have any idea, email them at [email protected].

Part of me is crossing my fingers that this is some sort of warm up for INDIANA JONES 5, minus any lead-lined refrigerators.