TFW you open a book and gasp at its unexpected contents <3 These pressed flowers were sewn into our copy of Lydia Howard Sigourney’s Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands (1842) by a previous owner, and are accompanied by poetic notes.

Sigourney, L. H. (Lydia Howard), 1791-1865. Pleasant memories of pleasant lands. / By Mrs. L.H. Sigourney.. Boston: : James Munroe and Company., M DCCC XLII. [1842] viii, 368 p., [2] leaf of plates :  ill. ;  18 cm

This beautiful gilt stamped binding showing an emotive portrait of a hound can only illicit cute aggression. #WetNoseWednesday #giltypleasures

Youatt, William. The dog.  New York : Leavitt and Allen, 1846.

Have you ever looked for letters in objects? This plate from our copy of Artes orandi, epistolandi, memorandi (1485) shows that there is hidden language in everyday objects. #TypographyTuesday

Publicio, Jacopo. Artes orandi, epistolandi, memorandi. Venice : Erhard Ratdolt, 31 Jan. (pridie Kal. Febr.) 1485.

What crafting day would be complete without a furry feline to lend a helping paw (or claw)? #Caturday

Leaflets of memory: an illuminated annual for MDCCCXLIX. Philadelphia : Published by E.H. Butler & Co., [1849]. 312 p. :  ill. ;  24 cm.

We’re bringing a little divination to this Publishers’ Binding Thursday. The Ladies’ Diadem, or, Starry Oracles (1847) measures just 4.5 inches tall and contains the name of a star for each day of the year, accompanied by a “poetical prophecy”. The star for today, February 16, is Mebusta, from the constellation of Gemini, and the accompanying prophecy reads “There lives more life in one of thy fair eyes, / Than all the poets can in praise devise.” 

This little books features a lovely gold-stamped crown surrounded by gold stars and blind-stamped decoration on faded red cloth.

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

1847, The ladies’ diadem, or, Starry oracles; in which each day in the year is designated by a star and a poetical prophesy or description. Lowell : Milton Bonney.

Catchers and pitchers report to Clearwater, Florida today for spring training! #PhiladelphiaPhillies

Peck and Snyder’s late 19th century catalog,  Price list of out & indoor sports & pastimes, has all the equipment any athlete could need.

Peck & Snyder.. Price list of out & indoor sports & pastimes. [New York, N.Y. : s.n., not before 1889]

Playful kittens and a dapper dog in our copy of  The indestructible one syllable primer. The volume uses cloth rather than paper for its pages. 

The indestructible one syllable primer. For home and school use. One hundred illustrations.  New York : McLoughlin Bros., [1878?]

Today we bring you the lovely and soothing aloe plant.

It is the last day of the #ColorOurCollections challenge but do not worry our coloring book is available for download! You can find it here: http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/the-library-company-of-philadelphia-coloring-book/

Happy coloring!!

Blackwell, Elizabeth, fl. 1737. A curious herbal, containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick. Engraved on folio copper plates, after drawings, taken from the life… . London : printed for Samuel Harding, 1737.  

It is snowing in Philadelphia, a perfect day for coloring! Today we bring the alphabet from 1802. 

Hoch-deutsches lutherisches A B C und Namen Büchlein, : für Kinder, welche anfangen zu lernen. Germantaun [Pa.]. : Gedruckt und zu haben von Michael Billmeyer., 1802.

Today we bring you “a fashionable charity bazaar” on Day 2 of the #ColorOurCollections challenge. Remember to share your results and tag us! 

The illustrated London news. Saturday, June 20, 1874. No. 1817, vol. LXIV. London : William Little, 1874.