When considering of the history of filmmaking in the United States, we often think of Hollywood as the industry’s hub. But did you know that Philadelphia was once an important center for the burgeoning motion picture industry?  

The Lubin Manufacturing Company was founded in 1902 by Siegmund Lubin. In 1910, the company built “Lubinville,” a large state-of-the-art studio complex in North Philadelphia. The studio quickly met its demise in 1912 due to its more innovative competitors and an explosion that destroyed thousands of feet of film. In light of this decline, Lubin brought his business to California but eventually had to leave the film industry altogether and resumed his career as an optometrist.

Photographs from the Lubin Manufacturing Company Collection, ca. 1910-ca. 1930.

In the spirit of the season, we are sharing these delightful covers from a few editions of Christmas Blossoms, a juvenile gift annual which was published from 1847-1854.

The cover decoration evolved over the years, along with the stories inside, though you can probably spot some common features among them.  Read more about Christmas Blossoms and gift books on our blog. 

Happy Holidays! 

With the solstice this past Monday, it’s officially winter now. 

And while that may mean it’s cold all of the time, it also means the days are getting longer.  We won’t say no to any extra sunlight we can get! 

Detail of Theory of the Seasons from Diagrams of Geology, History, and Physical Geography. London: J. Reynolds, 1849-1850.

In 1951, Mary Hinkson became one of two African American dancers to join the renowned Martha Graham Dance Company. Hinkson danced with the company until her retirement in 1973. These photographs from the Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning Collection document her travels in Paris during the company’s European tour  in the 1950s.  

Photographs from the Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning Collection. ca. 1951.   

Sound the horns! Friday is here!

The Library Company will be closed from December 21 - January 3 for the winter holidays. 

We wish you a happy holiday season, and can’t wait to see you in the new year!

Engraved finis from Discorso sopra il nuovo ornato della guglia di S. Pietro. Roma, 1723.#finisfriday

This one is for all you last-minute shoppers still looking for gift ideas. (We’re guilty, too!)

T. Steele and Son. What shall I buy for a present: a manual. [Hartford, Conn., 1877]

The winter of 1856-7 was a harsh one.  The weather had been mild through mid-December, but on December 17 the temperatures across New England dropped well below zero. Over the next few months the region with hit with dozens of snow storms.  But that didn’t stop people from having a little fun! Happy first snow, Philly! 

Queen, James Fuller. Souvenir of the coldest winter on record. Scene on the Delaware River at Philada. during the severe winter of 1856. Philadelphia: P.S. Duval & Co’s steam lith. press, 1856

Before Monopoly, there were board games like this one, where players must “bike” to various destinations and bicycle clubs around the nation.

[Bicycle clubs gameboard], ca. 1896. Chromolithograph mounted on cardboard.

This photograph was taken in 1889 at the Pennsylvania National Guard Second Regiment encampment in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania. The image depicts Lt. Col. Bosbyshell (right), Major John Bieldles (left), and George Brown (center right).

The peculiar staging of this photograph with a Black man seemingly asleep in the foreground looks similar to an 1865 painting by Winslow Homer, which depicts African American Union Army teamsters reclining beside a tent. The painting was subsequently reproduced as an engraving. Is it possible that the photographer who staged the photograph drew inspiration from Homer?

While Homer’s painting has elicited varying interpretations, both images reproduce harmful stereotypes about Black people in service of creating what would have been seen as entertaining and humorous scenes for 19th century audiences.

Camp of 2nd Penna. Infantry, “Anthony Wayne.” Clifton Heights, Delaware Co. Pa. August 1889. (Major Porters tent), 1889. Albumen mounted on cardboard.

Winslow Homer, The Bright Side, 1865. Oil on canvas. In the collection of the de Young Museum.

Actual footage of us floating into the weekend. 

Sigh.  Just kidding.

Detail from  [Wm. H. Oakford trade cards, ca. 1885]