We found an illustrated mechanical calendar for #ThrowbackThursday, containing four genre scenes representing “Spring,” “Summer,” “Autumn,” and “Winter.” The mechanics work by turning the various knobs that run through the center of the calendar. The top knob controls the day of the week, the middle knob controls the date of the month, and the bottom knob controls the name of the month. 

[Mechanical calendar issued by New Jersey electrician Romaine Mace] [graphic]. New York: Romaine Mace c1883 1 item: chromolithograph; oval 14 x 11 cm.(5.5 x 4.5 in.)

#TBT to horse-drawn trolleys in 1882, a slow but useful way to commute. The current trolleys might not be much faster… 

Bell, William, 1830-1910, photographer. Philadelphia, 1882. 1 photographic print :  albumen, mounted ;  15 x 23 cm. (6 x 9 in.), on mount 21 x 25 cm. (8 x 10 in.)

Throwback to Philadelphia After Midnight, the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, now a Hyatt, looks a little different than it should, but maybe that will change after a bit of shuteye. Let’s hope. brightbill postcards 121 A03

Philadelphia After Midnight. Brightbill Postcard Collection, 1907. 121A03.

This circa 1875 trade card shows a bird’s eye view of the Centennial Exhibition, held in Philadelphia from May 10 to November 10, 1876 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  

[Centennial Exhibition raffle trade cards advertising the New American sewing machine manufactured by American B.H.O. (Button Hole Overseaming) Machine Co., 1318 Chestnut St., Philadelpia, Pa.] [graphic]. [Philadelphia]: Longacre & Co., mfrs.  [c1875] 1 print: color relief; 9 x 14 cm. (3.5 x 5.5 in.)

A #throwbackthursday to the Centennial Exhibition shown in the May 20th, 1876 issue of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated newspaper. On the left is one of the only structures from the Centennial still standing. Memorial Hall, located in Fairmount Park now hosts the Please Touch Museum. The Main Exhibition building across from Memorial Hall was torn down in 1881.

Leslie’s illustrated weekly newspaper. May 20, 1876, p176-7.   New York : Frank Leslie, 1855-. 

Extra, Extra! “See” all about it! This daguerreotype is Philadelphia’s very first ‘news’ photograph, capturing a crowd of militia after anti-Catholic riots, on May 9, 1844. The bank still stands, but the new Museum of the American Revolution is being constructed on the east side of 3rd Street where this row of buildings once stood. #tbt

North-east corner of Third & Dock Street. Girard Bank. W & F Langenheim, Philadelphia Exchange. May 9, 1844.  1 photograph : daguerreotype ; ½ plate.

#TBT to the 1936 National Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. Shown here are the delegates from Iowa, including an African American man and several women, during the political convention held June 22-27 at the Convention Hall and Municipal Auditorium. Three children, all girls, are seated in the front row. Approximately thirty African American delegates served at the 1936 National Democratic Convention.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the Democratic Candidate in 1936, and went on to win the presidential election on November 3, 1936. The Republican Candidate was Alf Landon.

Iowa delegation - National Democratic Convention - Phila[delphia]. June 1936 [graphic].  Photo Illustrators (Firm), photographer. 1936. 1 photographic print: gelatin silver; 21 x 36 cm.(8 x 14 in.) 

This beautifully printed lithograph is a good #ThrowbackThursday of a thriving Kensington Delaware River business in the 1850s. Philadelphia’s docks do not see the same sort of floating traffic and manufacturing these days, but many of these buildings still stand, and we are lucky to have such a strong record of them here at the Library Company. Not to mention the print illustrates many #boatsinthelibrary.  

Rowley, Ashburner & Co.’s oil, alcohol, fluid & pine oil works. Rease, W. H., lithographer. Philadelphia : T. Sinclair’s lith. press.  [ca. 1855]   1 print : lithograph, tinted and gilted with two stones ; 33 x 54 cm. (13 x 21.25 in.)

This merry group is kickin’ it bay side. (ca. 1898) #jelly  #boatsinthelibrary 

Doering, William Harvey, 1858-1924, photographer. [Group swimming in the Chesapeake Bay.] 1 slide: lantern; 8 x 11 cm.(3 x 4 in.)

The Easter crowd takes over the AC boardwalk in this photograph by an unidentified photographer (ca. 1920), the first year of prohibition. 

Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday, the boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. (ca. 1920) Unidentified photographer. 1 photographic print: gelatin silver; 21 x 26 cm.(8.25 x 10 in.).