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Category: Collections

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Highlighting the Holidays: A Magical Card

Posted by: Erin Allen

Happy holidays from the Library of Congress! With more than 155 million items in its collections, it’s no surprise that the institution could really celebrate the season all year, highlighting a variety of holiday-related items. We’ll deck the halls for the next several days featuring historical holdings from the nation’s library. While this card,ca. 1935, …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

A Celebration of Mexico: A Revolutionary Film

Posted by: Erin Allen

This Thursday and Friday, the Library of Congress is hosting a special “Celebration of Mexico” to honor the culture and history of Hispanic Americans and highlight the Library’s collection of Hispanic materials, which is the largest in the world. During the event, the Library will present the world premiere of the oldest-known documentary footage of …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

InRetrospect: November Blogging Edition

Posted by: Erin Allen

The Library of Congress blogosphere was a cornucopia of posts on special holidays and  more. Here is just a taste. In the Muse: Performing Arts Blog #Britten100: Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears at the Library November 22  marked the hundredth birthday of British composer Benjamin Britten. Inside Adams: Science, Technology & Business Civil War Thanksgiving …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Library in the News: November 2013 Edition

Posted by: Erin Allen

Making a splash in the news headlines was the public opening of The Seth MacFarlane Collection of the Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan Archive. The Library of Congress hosted MacFarlane, Druyan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and a host of other scientists and educators during a special event in Nov. 12. Full …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

A Celebration of Mexico: A Champion of Reform

Posted by: Erin Allen

The Library of Congress has the largest collection of Hispanic materials in the world, including rare items of Mexican origin. Next Thursday and Friday, the institution is hosting a special “Celebration of Mexico” to take a look at some of these items and to also honor Hispanic and Mexican heritage. As part of the celebration, several of …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

A Thankful Proclamation

Posted by: Erin Allen

Earlier this month, a few news outlets ran a story about a rare document signed by George Washington up for auction at Christie’s.  According to a Christie’s spokesperson, the item in question had the potential to fetch $8 to $12 million, potentially setting a record for the most expensive American manuscript ever sold at auction. …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Conservation Corner: Housing Carl Sagan Whiteboard

Posted by: Erin Allen

The Library of Congress has one of the most extensive preservation programs for library materials in the world. Each year the Library’s preservation staff provides preservation treatment for countless objects in its collection of more than 155 million items. The Conservation Division cares for the Library’s special collections, including rare books and manuscripts, works of …