Conservator, Andrea Krupp, arranges one of her sections of the upcoming Library Company exhibit The Living Book : New Perspectives on Form and Function opening Tuesday, May 9th! 

We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day than with this lovingly crafted album of leaf prints by Joannis Oerii (1759). This volume will be on display in our upcoming exhibit, The Living Book : New Perspectives on Form and Function. 

Oerii, Joannis. Specimen herbarii typico-vivi … . [Europe : s.n., 1759.]

Looks like something had an appetite for the gilt edges of our copy of Poems by Bernard Barton (1844). Glaire, the preparation used to create these shimmering fore edges, possibly attracted these hungry little bibliophiles [insects] with the egg white in its mixture. Now that’s an enriching protein… #nom #giltypleasures 

Barton, Bernard. Poems. Philadelphia : Henry F. Anners, 1844.

We are mesmerized by the rare and unusual printed-pattern cloth on our copy of The American Poultry Book (1861). Notice how the blind ornamental blocking on the front cover is barely visible due to the busy pattern of the cloth.

Browse the Library Company’s database of 19th-Century Cloth Bindings to see more!

Bement, C. N. (Caleb N.) 1861, The American poultry book New York : Harper & Brothers. 1861. 10 cm x 16 cm x 1.5 cm

What does a book mean to you? Is it simply something you read, or a cherished memento? Is it a meticulous record, or a whimsical amusement? A book can be many things and take on a life of its own. A book can transform and be transformative. It can also be a valentine. Curated by the Library Company’s conservation team, we explore The Living Book : New Perspectives on Form and Function, opening May 9th! 

Sigourney, L. H. (Lydia Howard), 1791-1865. The voice of flowers.  Hartford : H.S. Parsons and Co., 1848.

Today’s #Caturday feature is the frontispiece of our copy of Galaxy of Wit and Wisdom (1875), which illustrates a humorous tale from the text

Galaxy of wit and wisdom, or, Fun for the million. : Humorous sayings of Tom Hood, Douglas Jerrold, Coleman, and others.. New York: : James Miller, publisher, 647 Broadway., 1875. [2], 14-230, [6] p., [9] leaves of plates :  ill. ; 16 cm

A Feathursday edition of Publishers’ Binding Thursday! Published in 1850, The Book of Birds features a stunning color-blocked white cloth binding. #PutaBirdOnIt

Browse the Library Company’s database of 19th-Century Cloth Bindings to see more!

1850, The Book of birds. Philadelphia : George S. Appleton. 1850. 11.5 cm x 14.5 cm x 2.5 cm

Even big cats can be scaredy-cats. However, this European Lynx found in our copy of William Bingley’s The Animal Kingdom looks like we caught him doing something he shouldn’t. 

Bingley, William. The Animal Kingdom… .  [Philadelphia] : Hubbard Brothers, [1884?]

Simple, yet refined with a touch of glam, this fore edge is one of our favorite #giltypleasures.

Our Saviour with prophets and apostles. …  New-York : D. Appleton & Company, 1851.