In the second installment of Weird Word Wednesdays, I present to you “Apple Dumplin’ Shop”.
I imagine this phrase was responsible for quite a few crazy stories in its heyday.
Call No.: 427 G877D
Location: George Peabody Library
Completely Frivolous, Yet Totally Awesome!
Ornate revolving book cases requiring the strength of over a thousand Hercules to operate were on display at the 1851 Great Exhibition. While we are quite happy that the George Peabody Library is chock full of traditional upright cases, we nonetheless but wish to have one revolving book case simply for the opportunities for mischief such a storage unit naturally creates.
From page 202 of History and Description of the Crystal Palace and the Exhibition of the World’s Industry in 1851, Volume 2. Printed in London by John Tallis and Co.
Call No.: 606 L847GT V.2
Location: The George Peabody Library
Happy Bastille Day!!!
Behold a floor plan to the French fortress of terror as remembered by one of its former inmates. Attention bibliophiles who are planning to time travel and commit crimes in France: there “is a library, founded by a foreign prisoner, who died in the Bastille at the beginning of the present century. Some prisoners obtain permission to have occasional access to this place, and to read there; others have the books brought to their apartments.”
Title: Historical Remarks on the Castle of the Bastille (London, 1789).
Call No.: 365.44 B874 1780
Horrifying Comic Illusion to Call Your Own!
Looking for a novel way to traumatize your friends? Then why not build your very own Flexible Giant to the amusement, or, more likely, horror of your nearest and dearest? Simply order a copy of “Dick’s One Hundred Amusements” and learn many a surprising trick, easy of performance. It’s bound to create a memorable (though not necessarily enjoyable) evening for all! It’s sent free of postage on receipt of price, so really what do you have to lose except a good and disturbingly Victorianesque time?
Call No.: 808.6 F9296 1867
Location: George Peabody Library
