1. RIP Dick Clark… we’ll miss you on New Year’s Eve.

    RIP Dick Clark… we’ll miss you on New Year’s Eve.

  2. artprintsphotographsnypl:

    The 2012 New York International Auto Show is open at the Jacob Javits Center til April 15th. It reminds me of the wonderful collection of automobile images in the NYPL’s Digital Gallery. 

  3. With 60 million items in the Library’s collection, is it possible to have a favorite?   A 19th Century board game, historical photos of Staten Island, and a Yiddish theatre program are just some of the favorite NYPL items that the public has chosen to add to our Centennial online quilt. One of our favorite quirky contributions thus far is this 1888 drawing of plumbing pipes (which can be found on the Library’s Digital Gallery), accompanied with the author’s thoughts: “Plumbing is far from gross. Civilization would not have been able to advance…without this sophisticated system.”

    With 60 million items in the Library’s collection, is it possible to have a favorite?  

    A 19th Century board game, historical photos of Staten Island, and a Yiddish theatre program are just some of the favorite NYPL items that the public has chosen to add to our Centennial online quilt. 

    One of our favorite quirky contributions thus far is this 1888 drawing of plumbing pipes (which can be found on the Library’s Digital Gallery), accompanied with the author’s thoughts: “Plumbing is far from gross. Civilization would not have been able to advance…without this sophisticated system.”

  4. This video, part of the Biblion World’s Fair app available for download from iTunes, represents a story made from items available in The New York Public Library’s collections. In attempting to recreate the Democracity show—the central Theme Exhibit at the Fair—researchers from the Library uncovered draft versions of the show’s narration as well as lighting and music cues. Then, a team of animators blended photographs of the Perisphere’s interior and early Centerton models—taken from the Library’s online Digital Gallery—and re-mixed these images with new 3D animations, giving a sense of how the Fair’s visitors might have experienced “Tomorrow’s World in Miniature.” As a small chorus sings Still’s “Rising Tide” theme, Paul LeClerc, the tenth head of The New York Public Library, gives voice to the narration.

    If you want to re-mix your own version, check out these images on digitalgallery.nypl.org: 1684389, 1684119. 1684481, 1684179, 1683989, 1683967, 1683959, 1684003, 1683969, 1683981, 1683977, 1670281, 1683993, 1683987, 1684413, 1684613, 1684353.

  5. This photo of Ruth St. Denis at Yosemite Valley, from 1919-1920, is today’s picture of the day in the NYPL Digital Gallery. You can see a new, always awesome photo from our digital collection every day on the DG homepage— but we thought that today’s was particularly beautiful and would add a dash of warmth to a frigid day. Enjoy.

    This photo of Ruth St. Denis at Yosemite Valley, from 1919-1920, is today’s picture of the day in the NYPL Digital Gallery.

    You can see a new, always awesome photo from our digital collection every day on the DG homepage— but we thought that today’s was particularly beautiful and would add a dash of warmth to a frigid day.

    Enjoy.

  6. For the second edition of NYPL’s Caturday we are venturing into the realm of “it’s unclear what exactly is going on here…” But we welcome your input. The above is a cigarette card from 1932-1934 that would have been found in a pack of De Reszke Army Club Cigarettes. You’re likely asking, ”Why would people buying ‘Army Club’ cigarettes desire a card like the above?” We prefer to ask … why wouldn’t they? [Before you answer that question, go vote for us as “Must Follow Non Profit” in the Mashable Awards!] Click here for more historic cigarette cards in our collections.

    For the second edition of NYPL’s Caturday we are venturing into the realm of “it’s unclear what exactly is going on here…”

    But we welcome your input.

    The above is a cigarette card from 1932-1934 that would have been found in a pack of De Reszke Army Club Cigarettes. You’re likely asking, ”Why would people buying ‘Army Club’ cigarettes desire a card like the above?” We prefer to ask … why wouldn’t they?

    [Before you answer that question, go vote for us as “Must Follow Non Profit” in the Mashable Awards!]

    Click here for more historic cigarette cards in our collections.

  7. It’s Veterans Day, so we thought we’d salute the heroes who have risked their lives protecting our freedoms by sharing this sweet image from the Digital Gallery -  it shows 93-year-old Civil War vet L.A. Wilcox (who joined up when he was 18) explaining all his medals to curious Brooklynite Antoinette Falabella at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. It’s just one of many classic vet pics we have in our collection - take a look. Meanwhile, you should know NYPL is closed today in honor of the holiday, so instead of going to your local branch, maybe go by the NYC Veterans Day Parade and thank a vet for all they’ve done.

    It’s Veterans Day, so we thought we’d salute the heroes who have risked their lives protecting our freedoms by sharing this sweet image from the Digital Gallery -  it shows 93-year-old Civil War vet L.A. Wilcox (who joined up when he was 18) explaining all his medals to curious Brooklynite Antoinette Falabella at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. It’s just one of many classic vet pics we have in our collection - take a look. Meanwhile, you should know NYPL is closed today in honor of the holiday, so instead of going to your local branch, maybe go by the NYC Veterans Day Parade and thank a vet for all they’ve done.

  8. Pics From The Past: Marathon Sunday

    In honor of Marathon Sunday here in New York City, check out some photos of the 1979 Marathon from our collections. Oddly, the images seem to be stuck to something (which means that’s how they were when they were acquired) but they’re still neat. Check out more in our Digital Gallery. Enjoy.

  9. Nothing says “Happy Halloween” like smooching squashes. This crazy card was published around 1908, and was sent by someone very proud to have “found you a kiss.” It is now safely housed in our collections and can be accessed in our Digital Gallery (ID 1587812). We have many, many other Halloween cards - click on the kissing pumpkins to see our favorites.

    Nothing says “Happy Halloween” like smooching squashes. This crazy card was published around 1908, and was sent by someone very proud to have “found you a kiss.” It is now safely housed in our collections and can be accessed in our Digital Gallery (ID 1587812). We have many, many other Halloween cards - click on the kissing pumpkins to see our favorites.

  10. The last time the Giants played the Rangers in the World Series was 1924. OK—actually, it’s a bit of a stretch, but hear us out. Back then, the now San Francisco Giants played in New York, and the “Rangers” were actually the Washington Senators. (Well, sort of. The Senators actually picked up and left D.C. in 1960 to become the Twins. A second version of the Senators then started up, but eventually left for Texas in 1971 to become the Rangers. Got it?) But several confusing franchise moves and almost a century later, the two teams are kinda back in the Fall Classic (unfortunately for our Summer Reading partners, the New York Yankees). In this photo from game five of the 1924 series, Giants pitcher Jack Bentley hits a home run, one of two hits that day. NYPL Digital ID 405489

    The last time the Giants played the Rangers in the World Series was 1924. OK—actually, it’s a bit of a stretch, but hear us out. Back then, the now San Francisco Giants played in New York, and the “Rangers” were actually the Washington Senators. (Well, sort of. The Senators actually picked up and left D.C. in 1960 to become the Twins. A second version of the Senators then started up, but eventually left for Texas in 1971 to become the Rangers. Got it?) But several confusing franchise moves and almost a century later, the two teams are kinda back in the Fall Classic (unfortunately for our Summer Reading partners, the New York Yankees). In this photo from game five of the 1924 series, Giants pitcher Jack Bentley hits a home run, one of two hits that day. NYPL Digital ID 405489