Library Company of Philadelphia
The Camden & Atlantic Railroad was chartered in 1852 and began regular service in 1855. Philadelphia’s rapid population growth and humid summer weather presented an opportunity for a group of New Jersey financiers to capitalize on residents’ desire to escape to the beach. The main line that was built for the railroad is still used today by PATCO and NJ Transit’s Atlantic City line.
#OnThisDay in 1918, a Liberty Loan parade took place in Philadelphia during the flu pandemic. The event attracted 200,000 attendees and sparked a massive outbreak that claimed 12,000 lives.
Lillie Showell, the younger sister of WWI veteran Arthur Showell, was one of the many Americans who died during the pandemic. African Americans experienced large disparities in care that were exacerbated by subpar living conditions in segregated neighborhoods.
[Lillie Showell], ca. 1917. Gelatin silver mounted on cardboard.
Happy World Cyanotype Day! In 1842, Sir John Herschel invented this early photographic process. One year later, Anne Atkins used the process to document various kinds of plants, making her one of the earliest documented women photographers.
After its invention, the accessible medium became popular among amateur photographers, including Philadelphia photographer Marriott Canby Morris. Morris made many cyanotype portraits of his family and friends.
Marriott Canby Morris, Theodora [Feltwell] Wistar and Dr. Thomas Wistar, ca. 1900. Cyanotype.
Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend? We’re going to try training an owl to jump through a hoop, want to join?
The Book of nouns, or, Things which may be seen. (Philadelphia: J. Johnson, 1802.)
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Hey! It’s National Punctuation Day? Yes! To observe: mind [your] crotchets, double-check your divisions, and watch your points of suspension…
C.S. Van Winkle. The printers’ guide. (New York: C.S. Van Winkle, 1818.)
A specimen of printing types cast at D. & G. Bruce’s Foundry (New York, 1818)
Yesterday was the autumnal equinox, which marks the official beginning of fall! Happy #DecorativeGourdSeason everyone!
This illustration from a scrapbook compiled by Philadelphia socialite Minnie Campbell Wilson (neé Harris) circa 1877-1890 seems a fitting way to start celebrating the season. Check out the whole scrapbook here.
Anyone else in desperate need of a haircut?
#OnThisDay in 1780, Benedict Arnold met with British Major John Andre to negotiate a deal wherein he would help the British gain control of West Point during the Revolutionary War in exchange for money and a highly-ranked position in the British Army. Arnold’s plot was foiled and Arnold became one of the nation’s best-known traitors.
His wife Margaret “Peggy” Shippen Arnold played an oft-overlooked role in aiding her husband’s betrayal of the Continental Army. Peggy, who corresponded regularly with Andre prior to her marriage, passed coded messages between the Major and her husband in letters.
Peggy was not the only woman involved in wartime espionage. The Culper Ring, which uncovered Arnold’s deceit, had a woman (who is known only as Agent 355) among its ranks.
Daniel Gardner, [Copy portrait of Mrs. Benedict Arnold and child], 1850. 1/6th plate daguerreotype.
When you can’t choose just one…
These finis pieces are from an 1812 type specimen of metal ornaments by Edmund Fry (London).
We can relate that top one, how about you?
We’ve got a real soft spot for over-marbled waste paper covers, so of course couldn’t resist sharing this little volume. One of the more famous examples of over-marbling involved printed waste from Fanny Hill, an erotic novel written by John Cleland. The printed waste here is from the The Moral Instructor and Guide to Virtue and Happiness which is not as exciting but far more appropriate for the book of hymns which it covers.
J.A. Burke. A selection of favourite conference hymns, with historical sketches of church history. Albany: A.N. Sherman, 1829.