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“I iz Santa Claws.”
Here’s a festive Caturday for you, courtesy of our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection. We thought this 1914 photo - entitled “Xmas Shopper” - was appropriate for Christmas Eve. It also just may be the funniest photo we’ve ever posted. Happy Caturday and happy holidays! By the way, NYPL is closed today, tomorrow and Monday for the holidays, but you can still download our eBooks!
It’s not too late for Christmas tunes! Check out a CD from your local branch. Most close at 6pm today. You could snag Kidz Bop Christmas, Noel by Josh Groban, or Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas Symphony!
Check out the whole list of available titles:
http://nypl.bibliocommons.com/search?commit=Search&f_circ=CIRC&f_format=MUSIC_CD&q=christmas&searchOpt=catalogue&search_category=subject&t=subject&f_status=_anywhere_
Yes, Christmas is over for those who use the Gregorian calendar, but it’s today for the Eastern Orthodox national churches who use the older Julian calendar. The above book, which weighs approximately 25 pounds, is from 1791 and is so large and so exquisitely beautiful because it was meant to be seen throughout the church while being held up in the air. It’s a book made to be seen and admired, and it’s on view now in the Library’s Three Faiths exhibit. The connection to today’s Christmas wishes is that this book is from the Russian Orthodox Church. We can’t help thinking that lifting it overhead would not only show your commitment to your church and God but also be a fantastic workout!
A Christmas edition of Caturday - Hamlet (who was apparently some sort of celebrity) under the tree with some loot from Santa. From our Billy Rose Theatre Division. Merry Christmas!
“He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.” An illustration from ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas from our Mid Manhattan Picture Collection. Good luck tonight, Santa.
In honor of Christmas Eve, here’s a cool photo of a Christmas tree shipment on the NYC waterfront in 1924. It’s from our Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Gothamist did a nice blog entry about this picture today, mentioning how 1924 was a transitional time for decorations - candles were on the way out, electric lights were on the way in. Click the pic for more Christmas tree pics from our Digital Gallery. Enjoy!
