In light of the latest moon news, we’re sharing a stereographic reproduction of negatives created by Henry Draper in the 1860s. Draper was a physician and pioneering astrophotographer who captured images of the moon, the transit of Venus, the Orion Nebula, and the spectrum of Jupiter.

Henry Draper, Full moon from negatives taken by Prof. H. Draper, with his silvered glass telescope, ca. 1863 (printed ca. 1875). Albumen on stereograph mount.

Which of these stylish overcoats would you pick for the fall? 

From Illustrated Philadelphia. Vincit qui se vincit. Vol. IV, 1853. Collected by Charles A. Poulson.     

The bursts of golden yellow in these endpapers made us think of all the wonderful fall colors and the changing leaves outside. Wishing you a great weekend!

Marbled papers from Academia Litteraria de Humanidad, que Presentan al Publico, y dedican Al Principe Nuestro Senor Don Carlos Borbon (Madrid, 1765).

Hulme’s Familiar Wild Flowers was originally issued in monthly parts between 1878 and 1884. These cloth bound editions came out beginning in 1883, each volume with 40 colored plates and embellished with a unique hand painted flower centerpiece on the upper cover.  

Hulme, F. Edward. Familiar wild flowers. London, Paris & New York: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, [1878].

Some Wednesday moods: us at 9am vs us at 5pm.

Dramatic skeletons from The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latine and compared with the French. London:Th. Cotes and R. Young, 1634.

Hopefully you’re still getting outside and enjoying the weather while we still can!

William Harvey Doering, [Profile of Catharine Rupp Doering holding dogwood branches, taken on a bicycle trip with a group of friends.], ca. 1900. Lantern slide.

Do you know the etymology of the word “hoagie?” There are several theories regarding the origin of the word. One of these theories speculates that it stemmed from early twentieth century Italian street vendors (like the one pictured here) who were known as “hokey pokey” men. Some people believe that over time, “hokey” eventually turned into “hoagie!”

John G. Bullock, Hokey Pokey Man, 1910. Lantern slide.

“To dream you are bit by a Serpent, signifies some danger will befall you by secret and subtile enemies…To dream that you are playing with dogs is a very good sign.”

We hope you get to sleep in this weekend and dream of good dogs. 

Erra Pater. The Book of knowledge. [London, 1766?]

Did you know that there are over 7,500  apple cultivars in the world today.  7,500! Just think of all the pie!

Warder, J.A. American pomology. New York : Orange Judd and Co., c1867.

We continue our annual celebration of #spookyseason with this bewitching illustration!

This illustration is one of many ghoulish examples from a book explaining the phenomenon of complementary afterimage. If you stare at the star under the witch’s chin for 30 seconds and then look at a white object, a negative afterimage will appear. Or maybe it’s a spell?

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