Posts in “rare-book-department” (122)
Blog Articles
The doorbell rings. I walk through the hallway to answer it. Although I’ve done this walk repeatedly over the years, this time something is different. This one book catches the corner of my… continue reading A Book Rediscovered
By written by Joe S. October 3, 2013 2
If you have a moment, I’d like to introduce you to Carl Friederich Egelmann, or Charles Frederick Egelmann as he came to be known in America. He was born in Neuenkirchen, Germany on… continue reading The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands ~ Carl Friederich Egelmann (1782-1860)
By written by Del-Louise M. July 17, 2013 8
Sometimes it really is the little things in life that matter. This I learned recently while trying to identify the record keeper of Borneman Ms 152 from the Henry Stauffer Borneman… continue reading It’s the Little Things in Life That Matter ~ The Jacob Anthony Grist Mill Ledger, 1842-1868
By written by Del-Louise M. June 27, 2013
The Borneman Pennsylvania German Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia is very fortunate to have a very small manuscript, Borneman Ms. 99, about 4" x 3 " in size, entitled… continue reading What to Say While Fastening the Garland to the Gable
By written by Del-Louise M. April 8, 2013
Many of the traditions we associate with Easter can be traced back to celebrations that honored Ostara, or Eastre (Old English), an ancient pagan Germanic goddess of spring. … continue reading The Easter Bunny is Pennsylvania Dutch
By written by Del-Louise M. March 27, 2013 6
The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Rare Book Department has on display an exhibition of original drawings and published works of Robert Lawson. The Department has a large… continue reading Not Just for Children: the Art of Robert Lawson
By written by Caitlin G. February 28, 2013 2
Had Daniel Schumacher (1729-1787) been an ordinary man, we probably would never have heard of him. His bad habits of drinking, swearing, lying, and dancing, amongst others, were not… continue reading Rejoice My Heart for a New Year Begins
By written by Del-Louise M. December 22, 2012 8
By Edward G. Pettit The conviviality of the Dickensian world is nowhere more apparent than in Dickens’s Christmas books and stories. From Mr Pickwick celebrating at Dingley Dell to… continue reading A celebration of the Victorian conviviality of Charles Dickens
By written by Janine P. December 10, 2012
Three Moravian Manuscripts in the Pennsylvania German Collection at FLP The Pennsylvania German Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia contains a wealth of valuable research… continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part One
By written by Del-Louise M. October 26, 2012 4
Theodor Schulz (1770-1850) Theodor Schulz (1770-1850) was born December 17, 1770 in Gerdauen, East Prussia, one of the towns founded by the Teutonic Knights in the Middle Ages, and rich in history… continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part Two
By written by Del-Louise M. October 26, 2012
Charlotte Sabine Schropp (1787-1833) Charlotte Sabine Schropp (1787-1833) was the second daughter of Johannes Schropp (1750-1805), and Maria Elisabeth (1753-1801) née Tannenberg, and was… continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part Three
By written by Del-Louise M. October 26, 2012
Sarah Horsfield (1785-1867) Sarah Horsfield (1785-1867), was the oldest daughter of Joseph Horsfield (1750-1834) and Elizabeth (1754-1836) née Benezet, and was born December 17, 1785. … continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part Four
By written by Del-Louise M. October 26, 2012 2
In their search for freedom of conscience and worship, as well as for the promise of economic self-sufficiency and inexpensive land, many German-speaking Christian sectarian groups… continue reading Gertrude Rapp, Expert in Silk and Song
By written by Del-Louise M. July 31, 2012 2
My name is Michael Hillegas, and if you know me, it’s most likely because I served as the first Treasurer of the United States from 1777-1789. I have always, as you may have surmised, had… continue reading A Collection of Musick Adapted for the Harpsichord ex Libris Michael Hillegas
By written by Del-Louise M. July 9, 2012
Beware! Lions, tigers and bears have been found in the Rare Book Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Before making this discovery several weeks ago I wouldn’t have… continue reading Beware! Lions, Tigers and Bears in the Rare Book Department
By written by Del-Louise M. June 5, 2012 1
In a previous post, I wrote about researching the personal and professional life of Philadelphia writer, actor, and comedian, Ed Wynn (1886-1966). A versatile and adaptable performer with… continue reading “The Perfect Fool” Lives On Part II
By written by Caitlin G. May 23, 2012
This past year, I had the privilege of processing and creating a finding aid for the papers of Ed Wynn (1886-1966), an actor, writer, and comedian from Philadelphia, as part of an internship… continue reading “The Perfect Fool” Lives On Part I
By written by Caitlin G. May 22, 2012 2
If I were an 18 th century manuscript, and had a broken spine, and detached boards, not to mention all kinds of other injuries to my pages, I think I would contact the Conservation Center for Art… continue reading If I Were an 18th Century Manuscript
By written by Del-Louise M. April 25, 2012
By Edward Pettit The Vincent Van Gogh exhibition, Van Gogh Up Close , now open at the Philadelphia Museum of Art has been receiving lots of attention . The exhibition focuses on Van Gogh’s… continue reading Empty Chairs
By written by Caitlin G. April 23, 2012 2
As archivists at the Children’s Literature Research Collection, it’s not surprising that most of the materials we work with are children’s book materials: drafts of manuscripts,… continue reading Dolls and Matchbooks and Buttons, Oh My!
By written by Caitlin G. April 17, 2012 1