The (un)official blog of the Music Arts & Literature Department of the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library. Come visit us on the 3rd Floor at:
5201 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202 (The contents of this blog do not reflect the...
Drawings made to accompany an English translation of Jean Jacques Rousseau’s 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐲 (London, 1802) #botany #plants #library #books #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #librarybooks #librarybook
(at Harvard Yard) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpBV4tCO218/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Hank’s Kentucky Jazz Band on stage at the Hotel Ellwood in Detroit, Michigan. Six of the seven members are sitting down, man on right is standing with his cello, man holding long knife in the back left, upright piano in back, drums, trombone, clarinet, violin and cello are instruments used by the band. Handwritten on front: “Hank’s Kentucky Jazz Band, Hotel Ellwood, Detroit, Mich. Jackson Photo.”
Our assistant librarian, Jake Hearn discovered these two images while cataloguing the Library’s 18th century copy of Johannis de Fordun Scotichronicon: a 5-volume Mediaeval account of Scottish history by John Fordun (1360 – c. 1384)
The original work took the format of a Gothic manuscript, a copy of which is now housed at the British Library (Harley MS 4764).
Jake also found this old article from 1898 which provides some explanation to the two images.
“King Henry, in 1257, after marching to Chester, ‘unfurled his royal banner like a dragon {quasi draconem) which knew not how to spare, and threatened Wales with general extermination.’ During the barons’ war (see Blaauw, ed. 1871, pp. 190, 191), the dragon was turned against Englishmen, fulfilling, albeit by anticipation, the poetical prediction that one day they would be ‘seized in the dragon’s mouth’ (Bower’s Scotichronicon , ii. 309)”
Three views of the Hotel Charlevoix, showing exterior, lobby and restaurant. Printed on front: “Hotel Charlevoix. Cor. Park and Elizabeth Streets. Detroit, Mich. Absolutely fireproof. 200 rooms. 150 with private baths. 25 suites, two and three rooms with bath.” Printed on back: “Made by Chilton Company, Phila., Pa., U.S.A, 4558.”
