Photographer Frank Berry captured this image of his youngest daughter, Elizabeth, photographing her older sister, Alice, at their home in Manayunk in 1910. 

See more images from our Frank Berry Photographic Negative Collection here. 

Berry, Frank. Elizabeth Berry photographing Alice Berry in a rocking chair, 201 Righter Street, Manayunk] ca. 1910.  1 negative: glass; 4 x 5 in.

Gastrine may cure dyspepsia, but this circa 1880 trade card causes cute-overload #FelineFriday

Gastrine. Circa 1880. William Helfand Collection of Popular Medicine Trade Cards. P.9828.1561

Joseph Breintnall’s Nature Prints of Leaves is a beautiful collection of leaves, and sometimes feathers, inked and pressed between folded sheets of paper. We love seeing the diversity as well as patterns and textures in nature.

Breintnall, Joseph, d. 1746. [Nature prints of leaves] [graphic]. Published  [ca. 1731-ca. 1744] 2 volumes (368 prints):  printer’s ink on paper;  volume 47 x 41 cm (18.5 x 16.25 in.) or 40 x 29 cm (15.75 x 11.5 in.)

It’s time for our final #LibraryHarvest feature! We have enjoyed participating in this challenge and seeing harvest related items from collections around the world. 

We love the ethereal quality of this circa 1889 albumen print by photographer Robert Redfield, which shows a man harvesting grain using a cradle scythe. 

Redfield, Robert S. [Man harvesting grain with a cradle scythe] Philadelphia [ca. 1889] 

James Smither, engraver, Benjn. Randolph Cabinet Maker, at the Golden Eagle in Chesnut Street (Philadelphia, 1769). Copperplate engraving.

Benjamin Randolph (1721-1791), a prominent and successful cabinetmaker, produced elegant, Chippendale-style furniture in Philadelphia. He became a Library Company member in 1766. This engraved advertisement celebrated the substantial house and shop he built on Chestnut Street in 1769. The influence of Thomas Chip-pendale’s Director, a copy of which was in the Library, can clearly be seen in his tradecard. Notice the similarities of the secretary bookcase at the bottom and the bust at the top left.

See this and more in our current exhibition: Stylish Books: Designing Philadelphia Furniture on display through April 26, 2019.

Looks like the calm before the Black Friday storm at the Wanamaker Store’s main floor. Happy shopping! (but please mind the breakables)  

Brightbill, George M., collector. Wanamaker postcards. [graphic]. 1900-1960.  Photomechanical print (postcard): photolithograph; 9 x 15 cm.(3.5 x 5.5 in.)

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at the Library Company of Philadelphia!  We’re kicking off the celebration with this circa 1875 trade card for #TradecardThursday 

We hope you have a festive holiday!

Broadbent & Phillips : photographers, 1206 Chestnut St., Philada. [graphic] [Philadelphia] [ca. 1875] 1 print : chromolithograph ; 13 x 7 cm. (5 x 3 in.)

This beautiful circa 1885 trade card is reminding us it’s time to harvest those acorns! #LibraryHarvest 

The American Health Cushion Co. [graphic]. [Philadelphia] [ca. 1885] 1 print : chromolithograph ; 6 x 13 cm. (2.5 x 5 in.)

Marriott C. Morris captured this image of his mother sitting on a rock in French Creek, PA, in November of 1885. Mrs. Morris looks thoughtful as she gazes across the water. #MorrisMonday

Morris, Marriott Canby. [Bridge]. Mother on a rock in foreground. [French Creek, Pa.] November, 1885.  1 photograph: glass negative; 4 x 5 in.

Mmm donuts and coffee… and finger sandwiches … and olives? Also, a vat of something with a ring of frowning eggs inside a a ring of potato chips? Can you identify this dish, and also how it could possibly relate to Halloween?

See this and more in the mini exhibition :  Larder Uninvaded : Food Porn of the 1950s on display NOW.