Marriott C. Morris was given this ram-shaped gingerbread cookie in February, 1885, when he was a student at Haverford College #LambsintheLibrary 

Morris was a member of a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family who took his first photographs during his freshman year at Haverford College. Morris continued to document his life through photographs of his large extended family and network of friends, his Germantown neighborhood, and his many travels across the East Coast and even Bermuda. #MorrisMonday

Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer. Gingerbread sheep, [given by fellows, Haverford College] February 27, 1885 1 photograph: glass negative; 4 x 5 in.

TGIF!  We hope this circa 1880 trade card inspires you to carve out some time for whimsy this weekend 

[Theo. Ricksecker’s trade cards] [graphic]. [United States] [ca. 1880] 1 prints : chromolithograph ; 7 x 12 cm (2.75 x 4.75 in.)

Philadelphia-born artist Mary Vaux Walcott captured this beautifully composed pastoral scene in the early 1900s. Known primarily for her botanical illustrations, Mary was also a passionate field photographer and active mountain climber. Mount Mary Vaux in Alberta, Canada, is named for her. #LambsintheLibrary

Walcott, Mary Vaux, 1860-1940, photographer. [Sheep grazing near trees] [graphic] Philadelphia ca. 1900 1 photographic print : platinum ; 18 x 24 cm. (7 x 9.5 in.) 

It’s #BatAppreciationDay and we thought we’d re-share the tiniest (at about the size of a postage stamp), and maybe the cutest bat in our collection. Remember to keep dark!

[Illustrated mini seals containing admonitions] [ca. 1860]  1 of 9 prints: color wood engravings.  Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.

We are deeply saddened by the news of the fire in Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. 

This image, taken by George Bacon Wood in 1883, shows the west facade center portal, one of the many beautiful and awe-inspiring details of the century in the making cathedral and icon of the Paris skyline. 

Wood, George Bacon, 1832-1909. Paris, [France]. Philadelphia, [1883]
1 negative :  glass negative ;  22 x 17 cm. (8.5 x 6.5 in.)

This film negative from our Marriott C. Morris Collection is a reminder that sometimes you just need to put your paddle in the water and go with the flow!  #MotivationMonday

Morris captured this image while on a canoe trip with friends and family in the New Jersey Pine Barrens April 13th and 14th, 1906. #MorrisMonday

Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer. [Three canoes with passengers, Egg Harbor River, New Jersey] [graphic]. April 1906. 1 photograph: film negative; 3 x 4 in.     

It is finally Spring, and with that we are hearing nature waking up from its wintry slumber. This uncut sheet of chromolithographs showing pastoral and natural scenes illustrates some of the joys of being outdoors when weather starts to warm, including lots of baby animals!

[Uncut sheet of four chromolithographs of children and animal scenes. [Philadelphia? ; ca. 1880] 4 prints (1 sheet): chromolithograph; overall 34 x 24 cm.(13.5 x 9.5 in.)

We wish we could levitate like Lu Lu, especially when we are trying to reach a book on the top shelf. For now, the traditional step stool will have to do. 

Hopcraft & Co., printer. [Lu Lu, the man bird] New York : Hopcraft & Co., [ca. 1880].  1 print : chromolithograph ; 8 x 13.5 cm. (3 x 5.25 in.)

This album belonging to Mary Anne Dickerson, a young middle-class African American Philadelphian, was probably created as a pedagogical instrument to promote cultivated expression, with contributions dating from 1833 until 1882 including this delicate floral watercolor painted by Sarah Mapps Douglass. Douglass, an artist and prominent Quaker member of the Philadelphia African American elite community, was best known as an educator and anti-slavery activist. 

Douglass, S. M. (Sarah Mapps), 1806-1882 artist. Forget me not. S.M.D.
ca. 1843. Physical Description1 drawing: pen and ink, watercolor; overall 28 x 23 cm. (11 x 9 in.)

Anne C. Lewis, Memories of the Home of Grandma Lewis (Philadelphia, 1896). Gift of Oliver E. Allen.

The Lewis family of Philadelphia cherished this mahogany pier table that was made for John F. Lewis (1791-1858) and later gifted to his son George on his marriage to Anne Larcombe (1831-1898) in 1851. Here it is shown in their home in the 1890s. Anne noted the matching Empire-style mahogany chairs “were its [the table] associated for many years, and still keeps company with it in our dining room.”

Lewis, Anne C. 1831-1898. Memories of the home of Grandma Lewis / Written for her grandchildren by Anne C. Lewis. Philadelphia, 1896.