The Peabody’s Album Amicorum Presents: Is It a Cat????
So, just what is an album amicorum? It’s basically a friendship book containing illustrations, quotes, and disturbing doodles by one’s friends, such as this one of a jolly fellow with a cat. Or is it a mutant cat head atop the body of a duck? What happened to its front paws? Why has this image seared itself into our brain?
We’ve got 15 of these albums dating from around 1650 to 1750, but this one here (ca. 1650) is the most disturbing.
Yep, Even We Have a Library Cat
We fully admit that those of us who work at the glorious George Peabody Library are a bit strange, especially when it comes to being representative of library folk. Why, you may ask? Because we can’t stand the world’s love affair with library cats! We love French bulldogs and floppy, furry mutts! Biblio-dogs forever!
However, we understand that we are in the minority, and hence present for your viewing pleasure our very own Tom the Creepy Cat. He is holding a sign that exclaims, in his own “cat-language” which oddly resembles English, why he is not a thin feline. It’s weird.
Location: George Peabody Library
From dandies in danger to the lusty dramas of educated fleas, the George Peabody Library proves that the past was indeed STRANGE! Visit us in Baltimore (don't worry, in addition to the strange things depicted here, we also have plenty of old and rare and classy books, too).
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9am -5pm; Friday 9-3
Address: 17 East Mount Vernon Place Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-234-4943
Libguide: http://bit.ly/g1UsTk
Email: peabody@jhu.edu
George Peabody Library by Marcellina. on Flickr.
George Peabody Library by Jeff Lee Photo on Flickr.
I would die if I studied here. Die from sheer, overwhelming emotion. The George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University in the United States...
Founding editor George A. Plimpton’s business card.
On the back was a subscription card, which had the option to purchase a lifetime subscription...
In the meantime, even the libraries...
Some photos from the Rutgers University Libraries Edible Books Festival that took place yesterday at Alexander Library.
From Top to Bottom:
Naked...
Cathedral of Books - Peabody Library, Baltimore, USA
wfmu:
Before Records Made Sound, They Made Moving Pictures & Were Called Phenakistoscopes
Quick, someone make a GIF of this!
