We never tire of finding small books in our collection, and this palm-sized beauty is no exception #MiniatureMonday

Sacred gift of devout and useful sayings. Boston: G.W. Cottrell., [between 1856 and 1870?]

Our copy of The Token and Atlantic Souvenir (New York, circa 1856) features decorative paper onlays and intricate gold blocking on its covers and spine. Known as gift books or literary annuals, The Token and many other titles in the 19th century were marketed as Christmas and New Year’s gifts. #PublishersBindingThursday

The token and Atlantic souvenir: a Christmas and New Year’s gift. New York : Leavitt & Allen [1856]

The sinking sun on our copy of John Burroughs’ Winter Sunshine (New York, 1876) is a #mood

 #PublishersBindingThursday

Winter sunshine. Burroughs, John. New York : Hurd and Houghton. 1876.

We found some beautiful examples of water marbling in our copy of Fichtenberg’s Nouveau Manuel Complet du Fabricant de Papiers de Fantaisie (Paris, 1852) #MarbledMonday 

Fichtenberg. Nouveau manuel complet du fabricant de papiers de fantaisie.  Paris, 1852. 

We’re back from the holiday break and feeling ready for something small after a weekend of indulgence. Our copy of The Lily of the Valley (Buffalo, 1861) is the perfect morsel on this #MiniatureMonday

The Lily of the valley; or, Cousin Lill’s stories for her pets. Buffalo: Breed, Butler & Co., 1861.

We’re admiring the whimsical font used on the front cover of our copy of The Seasons (Boston, 1853). #TinyTuesday #Shelfie

The Seasons. Boston: J. Buffum, 11 Cornhill., [1853?]

With its all-over decoration, overlapping design elements, and gold and black blocking, the binding on our copy of William H. Parker’s The Science of Life (Boston, 1881) is truly a product of its time. #PublishersBindingThursday

Parker, William H. The Science of Life or Self-Preservation. Boston : The Peabody Medical Institute. 1881.       

We have extended the #AnimatedArchive challenge in hopes you will join us this evening for the opening of our latest exhibition– Stylish Books: Designing Philadelphia Furniture. Curated by Linda August, Curator of Arts & Artifacts and Reference Librarian, Stylish Books features books, periodicals, and advertisements spanning the 18th through 19th century that influenced furniture and interior design, demonstrating how taste and style changed over time. 

We hope you can join us for food and drinks 5-7 this evening. Click here for more information and to register for this free event! 

With its bevelled edge boards and intricate gilt decoration, this binding is making our Autumn Dreams come true! 

#PublishersBindingThursday #GreenPublishersBindingThursday

Castlen, Eppie Bowdre. Autumn dreams. New York : D. Appleton & Company. 1870.      

For our third Shareholder Spotlight we are taking a look at one of our more infamous shareholders, William Swaim, who became shareholder number 439 on May 12, 1829. Read about Mr. Swaim’s rather frightening exploits in patent medicine today on the Library Company blog: https://librarycompany.org/2018/10/30/shareholder-spotlight-william-swaim/

Swaim, Wm. (William). Cases of cures performed by the use of Swaim’s panacea. Philadelphia : [s.n.], 1829.