What is a holiday without a little recreation? Now strap on those skates and get to the ice. Don’t just stand there!

Brightbill, George M., collector. Skating in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pa. Boston: The Metropolitan News Co., ca. 1910.

The holiday season is all about coming together and spending time with loved ones, just as this family did for Christmas in 1936. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your friends at the Library Company! 

[Portrait of an African American family] [graphic] / Mosby. 1936. 1 photographic print: platinum; 8 x 10 in.

This circa 1880 trade card shows three young girls admiring a decorated Christmas tree while lying in bed. We love the look of wonder on their faces! #ChristmasGoals

Pleis’ fit powders & liver pills, Phila. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! [Philadelphia] [ca. 1880]

This wintry scene of what looks like very fashionable sisters spending time together in the snow can’t help but warm our hearts. 

Howell, Joseph B., b. ca. 1830, printer. Jas. T. Brady, packer. N.E. cor. 12th and Market Sts., Philadelphia. Philadelphia : J.B.H [ca. 1880] 1 print : chromolithograph ; 5 x 8 cm. (2 x 3.25 in.)

We love the steady gaze and snow-covered clothing on the newsboy featured on this die-cut trade card, which also shows the December 6, 1885 edition of the family newspaper, Sunday Grit, published in Williamsport, Pa. 

The illustration on the newspaper depicts bust portraits of Grit founder Dietrick Lamade and editor George W. Rianhard. Grit was founded in 1882 as the Saturday edition of the “Daily Sun and Banner” before the name was bought by Lamade circa 1885. #LibraryWonderland

Sunday Grit. [Williamsport, Pa.] [1885] 1 print: chromolithograph

We love this cozy image of a baby seated next to a Christmas tree, captured by Marriott C. Morris in the winter of 1893 #MorrisMonday

Morris, Marriott Canby. [Baby on chair near Christmas tree in front of window].  1893. 1 photograph: glass negative.       

We love the moody winter moonlight in this circa 1840s hand-colored lithograph, which shows the State House (now Independence Hall) at Sixth and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia. #LibraryWonderland

Wild, J. C. (John Caspar). State House. Philadelphia. Philadelphia:  J.T. Bowen. c1840, 1848

While perusing our Specimens album, likely compiled by a printer associated with the Philadelphia lithographic firm Stein & Jones, this invitation for the Jewish masonic lodge caught our eye.

Shekinah Lodge No. 246 A.Y.M. Philadelphia: Stein & Jones, lith, 321 Chestnut, [ca. 1865].  1 print: lithograph; 9 x 15 cm. (3.25 x 5.75 in.)    

This trade card advertising a home piano from Lester Piano Co. shows that a piano is much more than an instrument that can play beautiful tunes, but something that the whole family can enjoy even if they are more distracted by playing with the cat than playing the ivory keys. Really, who could ignore that cute kitteh? 

Lester Piano Co. [Joe Freedman Collection of Philadelphia trade cards]. [Philadelphia? :  ca. 1874 - ca. 1910].  

Get out your hats, scarves, mittens, and ice skates– it’s time for the #LibraryWonderland challenge! Keep a look out for winter-related items from our collection every Wednesday this month.

We’re kicking things off with this circa 1931 photograph from our John Frank Keith Photograph Collection of a child bundled up in winter clothing. Keith was an amateur photographer specializing in portraits of residents of South Philadelphia and Kensington neighborhoods beginning in the early 1910s to 1940s. 

You can see more images from our John Frank Keith Photograph Collection here.

Keith, John Frank. Young man and child in front of brick wall, Philadelphia.   ca. 1931. 1 photographic print : gelatin silver on postcard mount ; 14 x 9 cm. (5.5 x 3.5 in.)