1. Tonight is the Super Bowl, and in its honor, we thought we’d share this unspeakably odd item from our Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs. It’s a poster advertising “Football and Love,” the story of a Princeton-Yale football game from 1894 (the item is dated from sometime between then and 1924). It’s probably this game, but we’re not positive. We’re also not positive what a little, well-dressed fairy has to do with anything, and why he’s throwing a football at a very done up woman who is seemingly petrified of the football. But it doesn’t matter - enjoy the game!

    Tonight is the Super Bowl, and in its honor, we thought we’d share this unspeakably odd item from our Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs. It’s a poster advertising “Football and Love,” the story of a Princeton-Yale football game from 1894 (the item is dated from sometime between then and 1924). It’s probably this game, but we’re not positive. We’re also not positive what a little, well-dressed fairy has to do with anything, and why he’s throwing a football at a very done up woman who is seemingly petrified of the football. But it doesn’t matter - enjoy the game!

  2. Are you gearing up for the start of the NFL season on Wednesday, when our own New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys? In anticipation, for this week’s Mustache Monday we bring you Walter Camp, “The American authority on football and other sporting matters.” According to the Walter Camp Football Foundation website, The year 1906 was one of the most momentous in the history of football. The game was under heavy fire for the brutality of its close order, mass momentous play, in which physical force was all important, and skill and science had little part. As the leader of the American Football Rules Committee, Camp played a leading role in adoption of far reaching changes that opened up the game, including introduction of the forward pass that brought about a revolutionary change in the pattern of play that was to add immensely to its popularity, and so saved the game. Thus Walter Camp was not only the sire of American football but also a savior. Football fans: your thoughts?

    Are you gearing up for the start of the NFL season on Wednesday, when our own New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys? In anticipation, for this week’s Mustache Monday we bring you Walter Camp, “The American authority on football and other sporting matters.”

    According to the Walter Camp Football Foundation website,

    The year 1906 was one of the most momentous in the history of football. The game was under heavy fire for the brutality of its close order, mass momentous play, in which physical force was all important, and skill and science had little part. As the leader of the American Football Rules Committee, Camp played a leading role in adoption of far reaching changes that opened up the game, including introduction of the forward pass that brought about a revolutionary change in the pattern of play that was to add immensely to its popularity, and so saved the game.

    Thus Walter Camp was not only the sire of American football but also a savior.

    Football fans: your thoughts?

  3. It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and I think this 1908 sheet music cover from the Music Division at our Library for the Performing Arts pretty much says it all (no matter who you’re rooting for). OK, the image is actually depicting Cornell University football, but you get the idea. We have many, many other amazing old football photos in our collection that you should check out (you know, if the constant game coverage isn’t enough for you). Happy Super Bowl!

    It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and I think this 1908 sheet music cover from the Music Division at our Library for the Performing Arts pretty much says it all (no matter who you’re rooting for). OK, the image is actually depicting Cornell University football, but you get the idea. We have many, many other amazing old football photos in our collection that you should check out (you know, if the constant game coverage isn’t enough for you). Happy Super Bowl!

  4. Justin Tuck's Home-field Advantage →

    NYPL Librarian Rodger Taylor shares his love of the New York Giants (contenders for Superbowl XLVI) and Justin Tuck’s new children’s book Home-Field Advantage with local teens at Grand Central Library.

  5. Who needs the football playoffs? Thisssss iz our super bowl. Time for dinner … This week’s Caturday is a 1938 illustration by Clyde A. Copson from Morris Wilson’s children’s book, A Day With Bum: and, The Smart Little Dish. The book is currently in the Library’s Rare Books Division. Enjoy!

    Who needs the football playoffs? Thisssss iz our super bowl. Time for dinner …

    This week’s Caturday is a 1938 illustration by Clyde A. Copson from Morris Wilson’s children’s book, A Day With Bum: and, The Smart Little Dish. The book is currently in the Library’s Rare Books Division. Enjoy!

  6. Don’t Blame Us - We Lost A Bet

    Here’s the terrible truth: the newly-restored facade of our Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on 42nd Street is now flying a Pittsburgh Steelers “Terrible Towel.” No, Patience and Fortitude are not big fans of Big Ben. Back in January, Mayor Bloomberg made a bet with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Revanstahl over the AFC Championship Game between the Steelers and the New York Jets. If NY won, a fireman’s helmet would be placed on a Pittsburgh landmark. Well, that didn’t happen. So instead, Bloomie had to fly a “Terrible Towel” from a NYC landmark - and he picked us. So today, Bloomberg came to our front steps and paid his dues. And to think, we JUST got the facade cleaned. Now we have to do it again … just joshing, Pitt! By the way, Gothamist made the same joke.