#sleepinginthestacks

[librarycompany]

This week’s #SleepingInTheStacks feature shows a humorous example of Philadelphia on a “busy” day, including a man asleep on the job as his horse eats grass in the middle of a street in front of Independence Hall. #asif

Philadelphia on a busy day. [graphic]. ca. 1915. 1 photomechanical print (postcard): photolithograph, color; 9 x 15 cm.(3.5 x 5.5 in.)   

[librarycompany]

There is no better talent than being able to fall asleep peacefully anywhere. This gent is in full on slumber mode, open mouth and all. 

Conway, gent's furnisher, 1602 South Street, Philadelphia. [graphic]. [Philadelphia] [ca. 1880]  1 print : chromolithograph ; 11.5 x 8 cm. (4.5 x 3 in.)

[librarycompany]

Our final #SleepingInTheStacks feature brings us back to our Marriott C. Morris Collection with Spry the dog enjoying a rooftop snooze in the winter of 1886. 

Sleepy Spry is helping us segue into next month’s #JuneDogs challenge! Watch for some of our favorite pups from our collection Wednesdays in June!

Spry on back roof over out-kitchen, [5442 Germantown Avenue, Deshler-Morris House] [graphic]. February, 1886.   1 photograph: glass negative; 4 x 5 in.

[librarycompany]

It’s time for another #SleepingInTheStacks feature! Titled Miss Sleepy-Head, this circa 1840-1880 comic valentine reads:

My pretty maid, to me it seems / You’re always in the land of dreams; / Take my advice, and never wed - / Your mate should be a feather bed.

Comic valentines, very popular in the United States beginning in the early 1840s, are quite different from the lacy, heart-shaped cards that one associates with the holiday today. The cartoons and verses poke fun at various occupations, ethnicities, human frailties, romantic aspirations, habits and pastimes, political activities, as well as participation in the American Civil War.

We know Miss Sleepy-Head is meant as a joke, but we’re kind of jealous of her sleepy ways.

See more comic valentines here!

Miss Sleepy-Head. [between 1840 and 1880?]

[detroitlib]

View of man sleeping on boat. Handwritten on back: "Boats and boating, misc."  Lazarnick Collection.

Courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

[loynosca]

Studying for finals putting you to sleep? Just one more day til summer break, #Wolfpack!

[librarycompany]

We are so excited for the #SleepingInTheStacks challenge! Watch for sleepy images from our collection every Wednesday in May, beginning with one of our favorite glass negatives from our Marriott C. Morris Collection.

Morris captured this playful group portrait in November, 1885, and accompanied it with a note that reads “Knock em down group on Uncle Chas’ porch, Haddonfield”. We wish we knew the story behind the group’s moniker-- any guesses?

Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer.  Knock em down group on Uncle Chas' [Rhoads] porch, Haddonfield, [NJ] [graphic]. November 18, 1885.  1 photograph: glass negative; 4 x 5 in.