A feline fanfare fancying fried oysters on the 1400 block of Fairmount Avenue.

Joe Freedman Collection of Philadelphia Trade Cards. 1870-ca.1900.  P.2015.55

The Library Company’s collection of Comic Valentines always have fishy intentions, but this one is just so meta. 

One of the Codfish Aristocracy. [New York] : J. Wrigley Publisher, 27 Chatham Street, N.Y.  [between 1840 and 1880?]

It has been exactly a year since we started our new social media initiative, and we thought it fitting to throwback to our humble beginning with Lucy the Elephant (1884). She is a little more animated this time.

We thank our followers for all their support!!

Elephant House, Atlantic City. Taken by Sam [Samuel Buckley Morris]. 1 photograph: glass plate negative; 4 x 5 in. Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer. 

“No blueing required when this soap is used” 

This circa 1880 elephant-shaped trade card for Kirk’s Blue India Soap claims “no blueing required when this soap is used”. Blueing (or, bluing) is the process of adding trace amounts of blue dye while laundering white fabrics. As white fabric tends to yellow over time, the blue dye counters the yellowing to create the illusion of a brighter white. White fabric is often blued during its manufacturing process.

No rewashing - always uniform. Kirk’s blue India soap. No blueing required when this soap is used. [graphic].  Imprint: UNITED STATES.  [ca. 1880]. 1 print : lithograph printed in blue ink ; 9 x 14 cm. (3.5 x 5.5 in.)

“Carp”e Diem. It’s Friday! 

Joe Freedman Collection of Philadelphia Trade Cards. 1870-ca.1900.  P.2015.55.

American artist Peter Moran painted these watercolor sketches while on an excursion to New England during the summer of 1882. 

The Library Company holds two of Moran’s sketchbooks from this same trip, which include graphite and watercolor sketches and works in progress of boats, livestock, and landscapes. These sketchbooks are a valuable insight into the artist’s process as they show his starts and stops, and multiple views of the same subject.

Moran was born in England in 1841, but relocated with his family to the United States in 1844. He was the youngest of the four Moran brothers, and studied painting under his brothers, Thomas and Edward. 

[Sketchbook during New England summer excursion, July-August 1882] [graphic].  Moran, Peter, 1841-1914, artist. [1882] 1 volume (30 leaves, 40 drawings): graphite and watercolor; volume 18 x 27 cm.(7.5 x 10.5 in.

We are sailing into August with the Morris Family :)

Yachts on Squan R. Stern view of several. [Sea Girt, NJ].  Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer.  Marriott C. Morris Collection. August 21, 1887.  1 photograph: glass plate negative; 4 x 5 in.

Happy Caturday! Pretty sure we’d go anywhere this cutie advised :)

Joe Freedman Collection of Philadelphia Trade Cards. 1870-ca.1900.  P.2015.55.

Typographic treasures titling views of travels in two thrilling towns. This message is brought to you by the letter T, and #typetuesday. 

Philadelphia [viewbook].   [Philadelphia: Geo. C Reukauff, publisher, 1876].  

Atlantic City [viewbook].  New York: Adolph Wittemann, c1886.

#SquadGoals on this #MorrisMonday

Bess, Fannie, Garrett & Helen Morris, Sea Girt.  Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer.  July 8, 1888.  1 photograph: glass plate negative; 4 x 5 in.