July 4th weekend begins with the fowl that almost became our national bird. We will always have Thanksgiving together… Now what is Mr. Stork thinking? He looks quite introspective. 

Garber & Bro., Lehigh and Schuylkill coal, N.E. cor. Thirteenth & Noble Sts., Philadelphia. [graphic] : Cannel coal for grates. [ca. 1880]   1 print : chromolithograph ; 7 x 11 cm. (2.75 x 4.5 in.)

This copperplate (ca. 1884) illustrates the use of typography as part of a larger design. Designs became more decorative in the latter half of the 19th century as new printing methods facilitated more innovative styles. This ad is not only informative, but visually pleasing. 

Commercial lithography. Theo. Leonhardt & Son, s.e. cor. 5th & Library sts. opposite Drexel Building, Philadelphia. [Philadelphia : Theo. Leonhardt & Son,   ca. 1884.] Copperplate, engraved, mounted on woodblock ; 2 7/8 x 4 3/8 x 7/8 inches.

It’s #FoodieFriday! Not much more needs to be said other than NOM. 

Mae. [graphic]. Redfield, Robert S., 1849-1923, photographer. Philadelphia.  September 3rd, 1887.  2 photographic prints : platinum mounted on cardboard ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm. (5 x 7 in.), on mount 35 x 43 cm. (14 x 17 in.) 

This circa 1885 chromolithographed trade card for Ehrich’s cloaks & dolmans certainly makes us wonder if Ehrich outfitted dogs, too.

Cloaks & Dolmans in every style at Ehrichs’ Eighth Avenue & 24 th St. The largest assortment and the lowest prices in the city. [graphic]. [New York] ca. 1885. 1 print : chromolithograph ; 9.5 x 7 cm. (3.75 x 2.75 in.)

“Fair dame, your fishey portrait here you see, / One of the Codfish Aristocra-she”

It’s #FishyFriday! As evidenced in this image, no one was safe from ridicule by 19th century comic valentines. “Cod-fish aristocracy” was a derogatory term for New Englanders whose family wealth originated in maritime businesses.

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

A little birdie just told us it’s #MorrisMonday!

Browse the Morris Collection website to see more!

Matilda & her pigeon. At side of house. [Sea Girt, NJ].  Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer. September 14, 1886. 1 photograph: glass plate negative; 4 x 5 in.

Ever wonder why you see a ton of gold-stamped cloth bindings from the 19th century, but hardly any silver? Gold-stamping was a popular technique for decorating leather bindings, and made an easy transition to decorating cloth bindings when bookcloth first hit the American publishers’ binding scene in the 1830s. 

Because aluminum-stamping was not available until the late 1870s, and was most popular through the 1880s, we see fewer examples in collections today.  

Browse the Library Company’s database of 19th-Century Cloth Bindings to see more!

[ca. 1880?], Rollo in Holland. Abbott, Jacob. New York : Hurst & Co. [ca. 1880?] 10 cm x 15 cm x 2.5 cm.

This week’s publisher’s binding feature is a true Gilty Pleasure ;) 

1882, Lorna Doone. Blackmore, R. D. Philadelphia : Porter & Coates.

We are excited to announce the launch of the Morris Collection website! 

In addition to showcasing all the digitized materials from the Marriott C. Morris Photograph Collection, the new site features stories, historical context, and a Morris Family tree. 

So, “Hats Off!” to the Morris Family and the photographs, journals and ephemera that have so enriched the Library Company’s graphic collections.

Read more about the Marriott C. Morris Photograph Collection on the Library Company blog.

[Silhouette of possibly Samuel B. Morris (1791-1859), grandfather of Marriott C. Morris]. Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer. 1 photograph: black and white print; 8 x 6.5 in.

It’s the first of April, and also the first day of the #UmbrellasInTheLibrary challenge! We will be posting images featuring umbrellas throughout the month of April.

We love the simple design and use of color on this circa 1883 trade card advertising Easter cards and English linen note paper. 

[Charles W.R. Smith trade cards] [graphic]. [Philadelphia?]  [ca. 1883] 11 prints : chromolithographs ; 12 x 6.5 cm. (4.75 x  2.5 in.)