Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

An Influential African-American Painter Remembered

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If you missed Curator of African-American History Phil Lapsansky’s op-ed piece in the Inquirer last month, you may not know the extent of the influence of Robert Douglass, Jr., whose painting of Washington crossing the Delaware hung…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

A Rogue in the Sunlight: The Life and Death of James Fisk

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We discovered James Fisk (1834-1872) in the course of developing our current exhibition “Capitalism by Gaslight.” Unlike most of the petty criminals, con artists, and other shady characters featured in the show, Jim Fisk swindled…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

March Madness: Early American Advertising Conference

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The evolution of modern advertising in this country continues to garner attention from the scholarly community and the popular media, as well as to influence contemporary visual culture. Paying homage to this ongoing fascination with how we…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Lost and Found: The Library Company Acquires Three Books from Benjamin Franklin’s Library

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The reconstruction of Benjamin Franklin’s private library obsessed our former Librarian Edwin Wolf 2nd for 44 years. That obsession took hold of him at the estate sale of Franklin Bache (a Franklin descendant) at Freeman’s in 1947. Bache…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

19th-Century Advertising on Exhibit

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Inspired by the upcoming Before Madison Avenue conference, an exhibition highlighting our varied and wide-ranging 19th-century advertising collections will open in our small gallery on February 21. Coordinated with the topics of conference panelists,…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Spring Events

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Before Madison Avenue: Advertising in Early America Visual Culture Program Conference, Wednesday, March 15, and Thursday, March 16 Speakers at this conference will present new research on advertising in North America before the rise of the…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Investigating 19th-Century Criminal Enterprise on WHYY

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Curator Wendy Woloson talks with WHYY's Peter Crimins about the Library Company's current exhibition "Capitalism by Gaslight: The Shadow Economies of 19th-Century America." Visit the WHYY website to read the full article.
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

New Exhibition Looks at 19th-Century Criminal Enterprise

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“Capitalism by Gaslight: The Shadow Economies of 19th-Century America,” which opens January 17, shines light on underground urban commerce in early America.  Drawing on books, pamphlets, newspapers, magazines, prints, photographs, and ephemera…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

LCP Joins the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA)

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The Library Company has become a member of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA). An initiative of the Library of Congress, the NDSA is charged with ensuring the stewardship of our nation’s digital archive as well as employing…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Readex to Digitize Afro-Americana

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This Spring, Readex, a division of the NewsBank Company, will launch a digital edition of Afro-Americana, 1535-1922: From the Library Company of Philadelphia.  This unique online resource will provide researchers with more than 12,000 searchable…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Help Put Us on the Map!

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In 2011 the Library Company received a bequest that included 96 rare and extraordinary maps from the estate of Robert L. McNeil, Jr. In 2012 the Library Company will make high resolution digital images of those documents and catalog them…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Spring Events

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Capitalism by Gaslight: The Shadow Economies of 19th-Century America (on view until August 24) Exhibition Opening Reception, Tuesday, January 24, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Drawing on books, pamphlets, newspapers, magazines, prints, photographs, and…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Carey Conference Part Two at Trinity College

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The Dublin half of the two-part “Ireland, America, and the Worlds of Mathew Carey” conference co-sponsored by the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Program in Early American Economy and Society,…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

International Photography Curators Visit LCP

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About twenty-five members of Oracle, an international group of photographic curators, visited the Library Company on November 8. Oracle’s annual meeting had been held in Blue Bell, a Philadelphia suburb, the week before, and attendees…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

The Art of the Library Company

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The inspiring talents of a number of Library Company staff members are on display at the entrance to the Reading Room through mid-February.  The "Art of the Library Company" exhibition presents a sample of recent work by six current staff…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

On-line Exhibition Celebrates 40 Years of the Print Department

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On September 13, 1971, Stephanie Munsing began work as the Library Company’s first Curator of Prints and Photographs. The library had been collecting graphics for a long time and Ms. Munsing’s appointment was public recognition of the…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Two Emmys for “A Taste of History”

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For “A Taste of History,” the television series that explores America’s culinary roots, City Tavern Chef Walter Staib immerses viewers in the dishes and cooking techniques of the nation’s founders as a way into the historical context.…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Capital Improvements: LCP Generates Heat!

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This fall, the Library Company is making an investment in high-efficiency heating and humidification equipment that will save an estimated $40,000 to $50,000 annually and help ensure environmental stability for our priceless collections. When…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Shareholder Spotlight: Betty Shellenberger, Share No. 568

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Betty Shellenberger, age 90, remembers bi-weekly trips downtown with her mother and father to visit the Library Company in our previous Frank Furness-designed home at Juniper and Locust streets. At the time the Library Company still functioned…
Two examples of papier-mâché bindings laid out in an exhibition case, 2010. Jennifer Rosner, Chief of Conservation.

Erica Armstrong Dunbar Named PAAH Director

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Erica Armstrong Dunbar, an associate professor of history at the University of Delaware, has been named the first Director of the Library Company's Program in African American History. Dunbar specializes in 19th-century African American and…