Our followers know how much we love the Marriott C. Morris photograph collection. For the most part this collection spans years of Marriott’s adult life as an amateur photographer, documenting family life in the late 19th century. This video is a window into Marriott’s and his sister Bessie’s childhood life through their collection of monograms. Marriott was 10 years old when he started this album.

Marriott C. and Elizabeth (Bessie) Morris. Monogram album. [Philadelphia] : [1873, 1874.]

For the 100th anniversary of Armistice (November 11, 1918) we are joining the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in sharing collections relating to World War I. #StoriesofService

The Library Company’s World War One graphics collection consists of materials relating to the conflict and its immediate aftermath. The photographs, postcards and scrapbooks in this collection are primarily from the Philadelphia region and include views of the Philadelphia Navy Yard and patriotic parades and rallies held around the city. The posters in this collection encourage American military enlistment, the purchase of war bonds, home front frugality, and support for relief organizations, including the Red Cross. A small number of posters relate to specific Philadelphia events.

The entire collection is available on our digital catalog or you can visit the World War I exhibition website for a little more insight: http://togetherwewin.librarycompany.org

Verrees, J. Paul, 1889- , artist. Join the Air Service and Serve in France, Apply to Aviator Examining Board. 1917.    

With its all-over decoration, overlapping design elements, and gold and black blocking, the binding on our copy of William H. Parker’s The Science of Life (Boston, 1881) is truly a product of its time. #PublishersBindingThursday

Parker, William H. The Science of Life or Self-Preservation. Boston : The Peabody Medical Institute. 1881.       

We’re excited to join this month’s #LibraryHarvest challenge! Watch for fall and harvest related images from our collection every Wednesday in November.

This circa 1882 trade card perfectly illustrates the feeling of a sunny fall day when the leaves have changed colors.

Use Eavenson’s diamond soap. [graphic]. Philadelphia : Graf Bros, printer. circa 1882.      

Today is Election Day in the United States – Remember to VOTE!

Pictured here are fragments from the Star-Spangled Banner, the famous flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that would later become the national anthem of the United States of America.  

Commissioned by Major George Armistead, and stitched by Mary Young Pickersgill in 1813, the Star-Spangled Banner flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812.

Pickersgill, Mary. Fragment of the American flag, “Star Spangled Banner.” 1813

There’s something fishy going on here, but we aren’t quite sure what. Can you identify this drowning dish??

Comment or share with  #LCPlarderuninvaded  #LCPfoodporn.

See this print and more as part of our mini exhibition : Larder Uninvaded : Food Porn of the 1950s on display NOW.

We have extended the #AnimatedArchive challenge in hopes you will join us this evening for the opening of our latest exhibition– Stylish Books: Designing Philadelphia Furniture. Curated by Linda August, Curator of Arts & Artifacts and Reference Librarian, Stylish Books features books, periodicals, and advertisements spanning the 18th through 19th century that influenced furniture and interior design, demonstrating how taste and style changed over time. 

We hope you can join us for food and drinks 5-7 this evening. Click here for more information and to register for this free event! 

With its bevelled edge boards and intricate gilt decoration, this binding is making our Autumn Dreams come true! 

#PublishersBindingThursday #GreenPublishersBindingThursday

Castlen, Eppie Bowdre. Autumn dreams. New York : D. Appleton & Company. 1870.      

This grim looking metamorphic picture trade card is for a reaping company. We love this visual pun and its spooky illustration of life and death… and harvesting supplies. Happy Halloween!

The beginning and the end of life (hold the picture 1 foot away for life and 20 feet for death.) Presented by William Deering & Co. Chicago, Ill. Grain & grass machinery. [United States] [ca. 1890] 1 print : lithograph ; 16.5 x 10.5 cm. (6.5 x 4 in.)

For our third Shareholder Spotlight we are taking a look at one of our more infamous shareholders, William Swaim, who became shareholder number 439 on May 12, 1829. Read about Mr. Swaim’s rather frightening exploits in patent medicine today on the Library Company blog: https://librarycompany.org/2018/10/30/shareholder-spotlight-william-swaim/

Swaim, Wm. (William). Cases of cures performed by the use of Swaim’s panacea. Philadelphia : [s.n.], 1829.