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. 

While perusing our Specimens album, likely compiled by a printer associated with the Philadelphia lithographic firm Stein & Jones, this invitation for the Jewish masonic lodge caught our eye.

Shekinah Lodge No. 246 A.Y.M. Philadelphia: Stein & Jones, lith, 321 Chestnut, [ca. 1865].  1 print: lithograph; 9 x 15 cm. (3.25 x 5.75 in.)    

This trade card advertising a home piano from Lester Piano Co. shows that a piano is much more than an instrument that can play beautiful tunes, but something that the whole family can enjoy even if they are more distracted by playing with the cat than playing the ivory keys. Really, who could ignore that cute kitteh? 

Lester Piano Co. [Joe Freedman Collection of Philadelphia trade cards]. [Philadelphia? :  ca. 1874 - ca. 1910].  

Get out your hats, scarves, mittens, and ice skates– it’s time for the #LibraryWonderland challenge! Keep a look out for winter-related items from our collection every Wednesday this month.

We’re kicking things off with this circa 1931 photograph from our John Frank Keith Photograph Collection of a child bundled up in winter clothing. Keith was an amateur photographer specializing in portraits of residents of South Philadelphia and Kensington neighborhoods beginning in the early 1910s to 1940s. 

You can see more images from our John Frank Keith Photograph Collection here.

Keith, John Frank. Young man and child in front of brick wall, Philadelphia.   ca. 1931. 1 photographic print : gelatin silver on postcard mount ; 14 x 9 cm. (5.5 x 3.5 in.)

Reading and Writing Stand (Philadelphia, ca. 1770s). Gift of Albanus C. Logan, 1870. Owned by John Dickinson.

This delightful four-sided, mahogany reading and writing desk, provides multiple surfaces for books and papers. To function as a standing desk, it can be raised or lowered by turning along the pole. A locked compartment allows for storing correspondence or other valuables. Slots on each side pull out that can hold an inkwell. Founding father, John Dickinson (1732-1808), known as the “Penman of the Revolution” for his numerous publications supporting the American cause, owned this desk, and his great-grandson gave it to the Library Company. Notice the Chippendale-style carved cabriole legs that end in ball-and-claw feet and the carved finial at the top.

Stylish Books : Designing Philadelphia Furniture on display through April 26, 2019.

Photographer Frank Berry captured this image of his youngest daughter, Elizabeth, photographing her older sister, Alice, at their home in Manayunk in 1910. 

See more images from our Frank Berry Photographic Negative Collection here. 

Berry, Frank. Elizabeth Berry photographing Alice Berry in a rocking chair, 201 Righter Street, Manayunk] ca. 1910.  1 negative: glass; 4 x 5 in.

Gastrine may cure dyspepsia, but this circa 1880 trade card causes cute-overload #FelineFriday

Gastrine. Circa 1880. William Helfand Collection of Popular Medicine Trade Cards. P.9828.1561

Joseph Breintnall’s Nature Prints of Leaves is a beautiful collection of leaves, and sometimes feathers, inked and pressed between folded sheets of paper. We love seeing the diversity as well as patterns and textures in nature.

Breintnall, Joseph, d. 1746. [Nature prints of leaves] [graphic]. Published  [ca. 1731-ca. 1744] 2 volumes (368 prints):  printer’s ink on paper;  volume 47 x 41 cm (18.5 x 16.25 in.) or 40 x 29 cm (15.75 x 11.5 in.)

It’s time for our final #LibraryHarvest feature! We have enjoyed participating in this challenge and seeing harvest related items from collections around the world. 

We love the ethereal quality of this circa 1889 albumen print by photographer Robert Redfield, which shows a man harvesting grain using a cradle scythe. 

Redfield, Robert S. [Man harvesting grain with a cradle scythe] Philadelphia [ca. 1889] 

James Smither, engraver, Benjn. Randolph Cabinet Maker, at the Golden Eagle in Chesnut Street (Philadelphia, 1769). Copperplate engraving.

Benjamin Randolph (1721-1791), a prominent and successful cabinetmaker, produced elegant, Chippendale-style furniture in Philadelphia. He became a Library Company member in 1766. This engraved advertisement celebrated the substantial house and shop he built on Chestnut Street in 1769. The influence of Thomas Chip-pendale’s Director, a copy of which was in the Library, can clearly be seen in his tradecard. Notice the similarities of the secretary bookcase at the bottom and the bust at the top left.

See this and more in our current exhibition: Stylish Books: Designing Philadelphia Furniture on display through April 26, 2019.