#ig_libraries

Rounding out #PrideMonth with the Emily Dickinson tarot deck, inspired by the famously reclusive–and probably bisexual/biromantic–poet.

Tarot cards originated as playing cards in Europe (maybe Italy) in the 15th century. It wasn’t until the 18th century that they became associated with divination and the occult. (See @stuffmomnevertoldyou’s episode, “The Art of Tarot,” for more, & to learn about the queer artist who illustrated the famous “Rider-Waite” deck!) We’re not sure if Emily Dickinson ever came across a tarot deck, but she did live in New England at a time when Spiritualism and mediums were very popular, so, maybe? Dickinson scholars, please weigh in– would Emily Dickinson have been into tarot? I can definitely see Alena Smith's version of her (on Apple TV's Dickinson) doing a reading for Sue… 🌈🔮

Artwork by Halie Theoharides, Phoebe Harris, Bianca Stone, Emily Pettit (@goatinthesnow), and Haley Rene Thompson.

[Cairns PS 1541 Z5 E45 2014. The Emily Dickinson Tarot Deck. 2018.]

It's Friday the 13th so here is a handsome little black cat wearing a jaunty red bow to maybe momentarily distract you from the chaos. 

Funny, we’re making the same face...

This week's #BindingAppreciationPost is brought to you by these floral printed paste papers. 

Also, #36DaysuntilSpring! 

Sarah Josepha Hale was born in New Hampshire on October 24, 1788. Home-schooled and self-educated, Hale was a prolific poet and novelist, especially known for her nursery rhyme, "Mary Had a Little Lamb." In 1837 Hale began as editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, a position she would hold for 40 years (though she preferred the term “editress”) making her one of the most influential female voices of her time.  She was a champion of abolition and higher education for women, a widowed mother of five, and the one who persuaded President Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday. She died at her home in Philadelphia in 1879 at the age of 90, and is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

#OnThisDay in 1840, John Quincy Adams began to argue the case of the Amistad in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Amistad was a Spanish slave ship bound for Cuba which experienced a mutiny at the hands of the kidnapped Africans who were on board. The rebellion led to a series of trials, during which the fate of those who were doomed to be sold into slavery was in question. Quincy eventually convinced the Court to rule in favor of sending the captives back to Mende (which is present-day Sierra Leone).  

Pictured here is a bust-length portrait of Sarah Margru Kinson Green. Green, a child captive onboard the Amistad slave ship and eventually returned to the United States to study at Oberlin College.