This image is an example of a crossed letter. A crossed letter is one in which the writer first writes across the page in one direction, then rotates the page (usually 90 degrees) to continue the letter. This was done to save on postage and conserve paper, both of which were relatively expensive back in the day.
We haven’t transcribed this document yet — we’ve been saving these more difficult items for later!
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Letter, To: “Mama” (Ellen Ewing Sherman) From: Ellie, March 14, 1878.
“With joyous hearts we welcome again the bright Feast of Christmas, and as we listen to the sweet strains of the “Adeste Fidelis,” our thoughts turn to the little stable at Bethlehem, where our dear Lord became an Infant for love of us.”
Letter, To: “Dear Papa and Mama” (Ellie and A. M. Thackara) From: “Lex” (A. M. Thackara, Jr.), Christmas 1893.
Unknown artist, 1880, photograph of a dog on a chair.
Sherman Thackara Collection, Villanova University Digital Library.
Check out the new blog “Pets in Collections” for images of animals in library/archive collections! They’ve already got some great submissions and we’ll definitely be contributing more from our own collections! :)
