#librarygifs

[librarycompany]

C. Shoosmith, “A Free Negress and Other Market-Women,” in James Henderson, A History of Brazil: Comprising Its Geography, Commerce, Colonization, Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. &c. (London, 1821). Lithograph.

This image of Black Brazilian market women selling goods shows the importance of women entrepreneurs in the marketplace. Their presence demonstrated how savvy and creative Black businesses were in the 19th century.

From Negro Pasts to Afro-Futures : Black Creative Re-Imaginings is on display now through October 18, 2019.

[demotulibrorum]

Gaston Tissandier, Histoire des ballons et des aéronautes célèbres (Paris: Librairie Artistique, H. Launette & cie, 1887-1890). Q. 629.13322 T52h v. 1.

GIFed by @illinoisrbml​

[librarycompany]

There’s still time to apply for our First Biennial Innovation Award! We’re pleased to announce we are extending the deadline until next Thursday, August 8.

The recipient of the Innovation Award will receive a $2,000 prize, a spotlight interview in our “Talking in the Library” podcast, and recognition at the 288th Annual Dinner of the Library Company of Philadelphia (October 29, 2019).

Proposals will be evaluated by a committee of leaders in higher education, research libraries, and cultural heritage institutions who will evaluate how proposed projects make scholarly work new again. That scholarly work might take the form of an article, chapter, academic monograph, scholarly edition, or other project, in either print or digital form. “Innovation” will be defined broadly, and may include refashioning scholarly work with new partners, for new audiences, or into new forms.

We welcome proposals from applicants in all fields and at all career stages, including graduate students, junior and senior faculty, as well as independent scholars. Visit the Innovation Award webpage for complete details.

Joe Freeman Collection of Trade Cards. United States, [ca. 1874 - ca. 1910]

[librarycompany]

Oh look! It is the Bird of Paradise, and there he goes. 

This illustration from our copy of Indian Zoology shows the bird of paradise with something more like a cape than wings, a rather stout body, and long tail feathers. The text reads, “Sir Joseph Banks did me the favor of communicating the drawing of the common Bird of Paradise, brought  alive to England, drawn from the life.” However, maybe he’s just a penguin that really wanted to fly, so he attached a lot of extra feathers to himself... 

Pennant, Thomas. Indian Zoology.  2nd ed. London : printed by Henry Hughs, for Robert Faulder, 1790 [1791].

[librarycompany]

How long does it take to master broomstick hovering? 

This image is from another page from our copy of Spectropia. Apparently if you stare at the asterisk under the witch’s chin for a half a minute then look at a wall, the specter appears in red robes hovering next to a white moon. Today, we made the asterisk a moving target.

Spectropia, or Surprising spectral illusions : showing ghosts everywhere, and of any colour. New York : James G. Gregory, 1864.

[librarycompany]

While processing a gift of ephemera, we found this greeting card [message added in Photoshop] of three kids carrying an enormous turkey. We are most grateful! 

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at the Library Company!

[Untitled ephemera.] [19th Century?] Gift of John Serembus. P.2012.33 

[librarycompany]

Break out your Spectrespecs, because it is that time of year again where horsemen are headless, spooks linger in the corner of your eye, and skeletons are animated. 

This image from our copy of Spectropia... is one of many spooky optical illusions illustrated in this book.  

Spectropia, or Surprising spectral illusions : showing ghosts everywhere, and of any colour. New York : James G. Gregory, 1864.

[librarycompany]

Library Company’s Instagram #2017bestnine is an interesting group. Our Halloween themed week featuring one of our creepiest trade cards, an animated skeleton, and book cover telling us to “try” (try what?) was our most popular week. Our current exhibition The Living Book : New Perspectives on Form and Function makes the top nine twice this year, and the Morris family’s beautiful beach house has a top spot. Viewers loved the gilt stamped monster cover and our tiny daguerreotype of a dapper gentlemen, but at the very top is the Library Company’s Lion’s Mouth Box (ca. 1750) that accepted suggestions for books that LCP should add to their collection.