Galileo Galilei, one of the most famous and important scientists of all time, a man whose ideas survived Roman Inquisition and house arrest, is going up against Jackson Pollock, Langston Hughes and others to determine who is the “Most Seriously Amazing” at the Smithsonian. In this second annual contest, units from around the Smithsonian have picked their most remarkable objects and are asking the public to vote for the best of the Smithsonian.
Category: Advancement and Development
Charles Gibson (1867-1944) is one of the best known illustrators of the Gilded Age primarily due to his creation, the Gibson Girl, who became an icon of American beauty. As an illustrator he was talented in depicting relationships between men and women and submitted illustrations to such magazines as Harper’s Weekly, Life, and Harper’s Monthly. In 1890 he introduced a modernized beautiful female character with upswept hair, fashionable clothes, and imbued with independence and glamor – the Gibson Girl. Gibson’s book, Americans, is currently available for adoption in our Adopt a Book program.
2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Panama–Pacific International Exposition, held in San Francisco, between February 20 and December 4 in 1915. Its ostensible purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, but it was widely seen in the city as an opportunity to showcase its recovery from the 1906 earthquake. The fair was constructed on a 635 acre (2.6 km2) site in San Francisco, along the northern shore now known as the Marina District.
Here’s your chance to adopt Ocean Gardens: The History of the Marine Aquarium (London, 1857) by Henry Noel Humphreys! Humphreys, an illustrator, entomologist, and scholar of medieval manuscripts, wrote this little volume on the history of the marine aquarium, which includes advice on creating and maintaining one, and detailed information on which varieties of plants and animals to choose. When this book was written, modern in-home aquariums were still a very recent development. In the early 1850’s, the first major public aquarium opened at the London Zoological Society.
Valentine’s Day is a mere 24 hours away. Still in need of a gift for your sweetheart? Consider celebrating that someone special by adopting a book in their honor or memory. Every adoption includes a physical and online bookplate. Gifts go toward acquiring and conserving our rare books, so you leave a legacy of love for generations to come.
Recently longtime museum supporter Betty Quirk brought a group to visit the American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery Library. Head Librarian Doug Litts set up a book display for the guests which included catalogues and several artists’ books.
The Smithsonian Libraries has something for everyone, and with 20 libraries from NYC to Panama, we are proud to serve as the heart of the Smithsonian. Each day, we have the privilege of interacting with museum staff, scholars, and the public who visit us in person or online to use our collections.