1. This 1930s photomechanical print from our George Arents Collection seemed like a nice addition to our Caturday series - a very fancy girl with her very cute cat. Happy Caturday, and happy long weekend! Remember, NYPL is closed until Tuesday, but you can still check out our eBooks.

    This 1930s photomechanical print from our George Arents Collection seemed like a nice addition to our Caturday series - a very fancy girl with her very cute cat. Happy Caturday, and happy long weekend! Remember, NYPL is closed until Tuesday, but you can still check out our eBooks.

  2. In honor of the first Caturday in May, here’s a lithograph by Edward Penfield that features two kitties. That should doubly satisfy your cat cravings! The lithograph was created sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s, and currently sits in the Library’s Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs (which just recently launched its own catalog; we highly recommend you browse). Happy Caturday!

    In honor of the first Caturday in May, here’s a lithograph by Edward Penfield that features two kitties. That should doubly satisfy your cat cravings! The lithograph was created sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s, and currently sits in the Library’s Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs (which just recently launched its own catalog; we highly recommend you browse). Happy Caturday!

  3. Stop by the Ottendorfer Library’s children’s room to see the amazing work of local Brooklyn artist Naoko Stoop. Naoko has graciously lent the Ottendorfer Library several of her pieces from her series “Red Knit Cap Girl.” Raised in Tokyo, Japan, Naoko is a self taught artist who captures the colors, energy, and essence of childhood. Her whimsical illustrations take you on the adventures and experiences of the Red Knit Cap Girl and several of her woodland friends. Naoko’s newest picture book, Red Knit Cap Girl, will be on shelves this June, so be sure to reserve your copy today. This beautiful exhibit will be on display in our children’s room through April.

    Stop by the Ottendorfer Library’s children’s room to see the amazing work of local Brooklyn artist Naoko Stoop. Naoko has graciously lent the Ottendorfer Library several of her pieces from her series “Red Knit Cap Girl.”

    Raised in Tokyo, Japan, Naoko is a self taught artist who captures the colors, energy, and essence of childhood. Her whimsical illustrations take you on the adventures and experiences of the Red Knit Cap Girl and several of her woodland friends.

    Naoko’s newest picture book, Red Knit Cap Girl, will be on shelves this June, so be sure to reserve your copy today. This beautiful exhibit will be on display in our children’s room through April.

  4. On April 12, 1861, the US Civil War began with the shelling of the Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Library has an incredible collection of sketches made by Civil War staff artists from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. They documented battles, preparations, camp life, and the deaths of generals and other military leaders. The sketch above shows “Rebels preparing to bombard Fort Sumter—scene on Cummings Point.”

    On April 12, 1861, the US Civil War began with the shelling of the Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.

    The Library has an incredible collection of sketches made by Civil War staff artists from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. They documented battles, preparations, camp life, and the deaths of generals and other military leaders.

    The sketch above shows “Rebels preparing to bombard Fort Sumter—scene on Cummings Point.”

  5. This 1927 book jacket from the Library’s General Research Division shows cute cats  crossing the road and marching in their own personal parade through the streets of New York City - much like today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade (which you can watch live here). Happy St. Patrick’s Day and happy Caturday!! We’ll be posting some of our historic St. Patrick’s Day cards today, so stay tuned!

    This 1927 book jacket from the Library’s General Research Division shows cute cats  crossing the road and marching in their own personal parade through the streets of New York City - much like today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade (which you can watch live here). Happy St. Patrick’s Day and happy Caturday!! We’ll be posting some of our historic St. Patrick’s Day cards today, so stay tuned!

  6. This image from the Library’s Print Collection (found by our own Jeremy Megraw) combines our two favorite themes: cats and reading. It is also appropriate for the celebration this weekend of Read Across America Day. The NEA’s national reading celebration happens every year on or near the birthday of the creator of The Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss (March 2). So, curl up with a book this weekend, or better yet, take your kids to story time at your local NYPL children’s Room and sound it out! Happy Caturday! Meow.

    This image from the Library’s Print Collection (found by our own Jeremy Megraw) combines our two favorite themes: cats and reading. It is also appropriate for the celebration this weekend of Read Across America Day. The NEA’s national reading celebration happens every year on or near the birthday of the creator of The Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss (March 2).

    So, curl up with a book this weekend, or better yet, take your kids to story time at your local NYPL children’s Room and sound it out! Happy Caturday! Meow.

  7. Happy Caturday! This cigarette card from our George Arents Collection shows a “blue Persian cat with kitten,” and was printed sometime between 1924 and 1933. We just thought it was a beautiful image … and the cats are adorable. The back of the card has all sorts of weird (and often outdated) facts about Persian cats, including that they should drink “beef tea” while nursing and should have meals of milk and water. Also, the card says they cost “five pounds” each - about $8 now.

    Happy Caturday! This cigarette card from our George Arents Collection shows a “blue Persian cat with kitten,” and was printed sometime between 1924 and 1933. We just thought it was a beautiful image … and the cats are adorable. The back of the card has all sorts of weird (and often outdated) facts about Persian cats, including that they should drink “beef tea” while nursing and should have meals of milk and water. Also, the card says they cost “five pounds” each - about $8 now.

  8. 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!

  9. In honor of the first Caturday in February, we’re sharing this 1898 Edward Penfield lithograph, which is currently in our Art and Architecture Collection (part of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs). The image encourages a love of both cats and reading, so it’s really a win-win for us. Enjoy!

    In honor of the first Caturday in February, we’re sharing this 1898 Edward Penfield lithograph, which is currently in our Art and Architecture Collection (part of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs). The image encourages a love of both cats and reading, so it’s really a win-win for us. Enjoy!

  10. As evening falls on the city’s first snowfall of 2012, here’s a beautiful 1907 print of a winter evening in NYC by John Edwin Jackson. It’s in our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection, and we thought it was a nice way to close out our series of snow images today. Enjoy!

    As evening falls on the city’s first snowfall of 2012, here’s a beautiful 1907 print of a winter evening in NYC by John Edwin Jackson. It’s in our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection, and we thought it was a nice way to close out our series of snow images today. Enjoy!