Library Company of Philadelphia
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Welcome to the Library Company of Philadelphia's Tumblr page! Founded by Ben Franklin in 1731, we are an independent research library specializing in American history and culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries. This page highlights materials from LCP's extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts, broadsides, ephemera, prints, photographs, and works of art.
Witness the horror!! or delight!!
This “whimsical" scene of kittens at tea is based off of real taxidermy scenes created by Herrmann Ploucquet of Stuttgart that were on display at The Great Exhibition in London (1851). This is only one of many scenes involving cats and other small animals. The illustrator did not romanticize the stuffed animals, almost highlighting the unnaturalness of their poses, especially their expressions.
The Comical creatures from Wurtemberg. New York : George P. Putnam, 1851.