This sitter and his pup are really raising the bar for the #wfhoutfit challenge! 

Parlor Gallery, [Unidentified African American man with a dog], ca. 1880. Albumen on cabinet card. 

Image depicts a full-length portrait of a man wearing a riding coat, standing in front of a backdrop adorned with an ornate window. He holds a walking stick and leans on a balustrade on which a top hat rests. A dog lies in the foreground.  

Today, we’re drawing inspiration from Musée d'Orsay’s series imagining how historic artists in their collection might have used social media. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we thought it might be fun to speculate how pioneering artist Violet Oakley might “takeover” our social media platforms. Enjoy! 

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“I’m excited to give you all a sneak peek of my latest #wip at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. I’ve been working on a series of murals pertaining to the history of the Commonwealth. To create these murals, I am drawing a lot of inspiration from the life of William Penn and my own beliefs in the Quaker values of pacifism. I have a long way ahead of me, but I’m excited to take on this challenge! 📷: Mathilde Weil” 

Mathilde Weil, Violet Oakley at work upon the panel of “International Understanding and Unity” for the Senate Chamber, Capitol of Pennsylvania, ca. 1913. Gelatin silver mounted on paper.

Happy #ForeedgeFriday from these #chonkybois and their fore-edge clasps.

“Quarantine day 11…I never thought I would say this but if I see one more box of pasta I might scream…" 

 Sydney Whiting. Memoirs of a stomach, written by himself, that all who eat may read. [London]: Published by W.E. Painter, 342 Strand, [1854?]

Our #womenshistorymonth #hometownhero today is Anne Hampton Brewster (1818-1892).  Brewster was an American novelist, journalist and foreign correspondent. Born in Philadelphia, she defied familial and social conventions by suing her brother for her share of their mother’s estate, emigrating to Rome, supporting herself financially through her writing, and not marrying. After 1868, she lived in Italy and wrote articles about Italian art, architecture, archaeology, political events, and social gossip for American newspapers. Brewster continued to write until her death, publishing three novels, seven pieces of nonfiction, fifty-two short stories, and four poems, along with her many newspaper articles. A Library Company Shareholder, she bequeathed her library and papers to LCP upon in her death in 1892. Learn more here.

Can’t think of a better time to break out some puzzles!

[Lithographic puzzle depicting the Fairmount Waterworks] ([Philadelphia]: [Thos. S. Wagner’s lith., 38 Franklin Place], ca. 1858). Hand-colored lithograph mounted on wood.

Image depicts a Reading Railroad Co. train with passengers in the foreground and the Fairmount Waterworks and Wire Suspension Bridge from the west bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia in the background. Includes spectators surrounding a hot air balloon behind the train and rowers and a steamboat on the Schuylkill River.

Happy #MorrisMonday! We hope your #socialdistancing has been as relaxing and cozy as this scene looks!

Marriott Canby Morris, Interior of Joseph Walton Cottage, Buck Hills Falls, ca. 1905. Glass negative.

Image depicts a view of an interior constructed from rustic wood beams at Joseph Walton’s Cottage. Three women, including Marriott C. Morris’ wife Jane Rhoads Morris, sit in chairs near the hearth reading or doing handiwork. Three small American flags adorn the mantle and lanterns hang from the ceiling.
    

This hidden fore edge painting of the fable of the Snail and the Butterfly is here to remind us that it is Spring! Go outside and enjoy it!* 

*Please enjoy responsibly #socialdistancing 

Fore edge painting on: Fables by John Gay. [London]: Printed at the Chiswick Press, by C. Whittingham, 1812. 

Here’s hoping you’ve got a few good books to keep you company in the coming days. And if not, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!  

Head on over to librarycompany.org/news for some great #content on the LCP Blog, or check out our podcast at librarycompany.org/talking-in-the-library. 

This little annotation, “Nothing worth reading in the book,” was scribbled by a disappointed reader in our copy of Poems and Parodies, by Phoebe Carey. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1854.

What activities are you all taking up to relax during this period of #socialdistancing?

George Mark Wilson, [Syrian American woman named Selina holding knitting, looking at camera], ca. 1923. Gelatin silver print. 

Image depicts woman sitting on a step beneath a wood awning at 10th and Ellsworth Streets, wearing a fringed shawl wrapped around her head, a flowered skirt, and holding a knitting project in her lap.