This trade card captures the mood of the season in Philadelphia right now. #AprilShowers #SpringFever

Rain-time. / Sun-time. [United States] [ca. 1880] 2 prints : chromolithographs ; 8.5 x 2.5 cm. (3.25 x 1 in.)

This hand-drawn type truly illuminates the page in this colorful and beautifully illustrated album created by Albert G. Lewis in 1900. This is only one of several decorative pages chronicling the life, relatives, residences and businesses of Lewis and his family in the late 18th to the late 19th century. 

Lewis, Albert G. The old houses and stores with memorabilia relating to them and my father and grandfather. Philadelphia, 1900.

This Ethiopian manuscript brilliantly illustrates the Homilies of Michael (ca. 1682). The text alone is beautiful. #callmeilluminated

The Homilies of Michael. Gondar, ca. 1682. Gift of Countess Van Cuelenbroeck, 1900.

A #throwbackthursday to the Centennial Exhibition shown in the May 20th, 1876 issue of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated newspaper. On the left is one of the only structures from the Centennial still standing. Memorial Hall, located in Fairmount Park now hosts the Please Touch Museum. The Main Exhibition building across from Memorial Hall was torn down in 1881.

Leslie’s illustrated weekly newspaper. May 20, 1876, p176-7.   New York : Frank Leslie, 1855-. 

This #caturday we introduce you to The story of Sir Richard Whittington, Lord Mayor of London. 

Alternate title: A cat and his man. 

The plates that illustrate this book always show a cat, we couldn’t resist sharing this little teaser. 

Carr, G. The story of Sir Richard Whittington, Lord Mayor of London in the years 1397, 1406-7, & 1419 A.D.  London : Longmans, Green, and Co., 1871.

#Caturday turns to night with a kitty couple catching moonlight.

Routlege’s Coloured Scrap Book. [1868?]

An artist and character inspired by rare books at the Library Company!