“A picture is worth a thousand words” Photographers in the Fine Arts Department

by Daria Phair, Librarian

Many of us have captured life’s moments in photographs. Who gave us this wonderful invention? French scientist and inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765–1833) produced the earliest surviving photograph, View from the Window at Le Gras, in 1827, using a camera obscura and a process he called “heliography.” By 1837, Louis Daguerre (1787-1851) had discovered a technique for reproducing images that were fixed and didn’t fade.  A photography boom ensued. To explore more of the history and people in this artistic field, check out what the Fine Arts Department has on famous photographers and techniques through the ages. Here are a dozen examples.

This gorgeous volume, created in collaboration with the George Eastman House, celebrates the development of cameras, their inventors, and the art of photography over two hundred years. There are more than 100 historic photos, ads, and drawings to complement the text.

Camera: A History of Photography from Daguerreotype to Digital by Todd Gustavson Book

Harry Benson (1929- ) has photographed famous people and events from the 1950s to the 2010s, including every president from Dwight Eisenhower to Donald Trump, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II, the Beatles and many other celebrities. He also captured such historic events as the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, the Irish Republican Army hunger strikes, and 9/11.

Persons of Interest; Photographs That Defined an Era by Harry Benson Book

Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast years, 1923-1937
by Todd Brandow and William A. Ewing Book
Berenice Abbott: Portraits of Modernity
by Berenice Abbott, et al.
Book

Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning; Her Lifetime in Photography
by Elizabeth Partridge
Book

Robert Capa: The Paris years, 1933-1954 
by Bernard Lebrun
Book
Looking at Ansel Adams: The Photographs and the Man
by Andrea G. Stillman
Book

Galen Rowell: A Retrospective
by Sierra Club Books
Book
Edward Weston: A Legacy 
by Susan Danly
Book

Bodine’s Industry: The Dignity of Work
by A. Aubrey Bodine
Book
Photography at MoMA, 1840-1920
Book

Keeping Up with Kanopy: Check out the Latest Free Movies

You can always depend on Kanopy having the latest and greatest indie films and documentaries. The next time you are planning a movie night at home, take a look at what’s new on Kanopy. Don’t forget, you can watch up to 10 movies each month on Kanopy

Strive
Film
The Little Prince
Film
Our Town
Film
Harriet the Spy
Film
My Name Is Emily
Film
How I Live Now
Film
Game Master
Film
Supreme Revenge
Film
Belly of The Beast
Film
Waging Change
Film
The Pension Gamble
Film

Happy National Library Week at the Pratt!

Here at the Pratt, we are so grateful for all of our staff members that continue to serve our community throughout the pandemic. From virtual storytime and events, to Sidewalk Service and one-on-one help with unemployment and sharing COVID-19 relief information, we are so proud of how the Enoch Pratt Free Library was there for Baltimore.

Do you know who else we are thankful for? YOU! We are so thankful and excited for our customers visiting the local branches. If you didn’t know already, all Pratt Locations are open at 25% capacity for limited browsing and computer access. You’ll be able to browse and borrow items from the collection and use the public computers for up to two hours.

To enter our buildings, we do ask a few things to help keep you and the Pratt staff safe.

Provide your name and contact information for COVID-19 contact tracing.

Wear your mask or face covering for the duration of your visit.
Get your temperature checked, and and undergo a health screening.
Maintain social distancing

Thank you again for all that you do to support the Pratt Library. Here’s a look at how we are celebrating National Library Week!

Are Your Antiques and Collectibles Worth Something?

by Daria Phair, Librarian

The Fine Arts and Music Department has a large collection of books on the history, manufacturers, marks, and approximate values of various antiques and collectibles – artwork, ceramics, furniture, glassware, jewelry, silverware, toys, and many others.  Below are a few examples of titles that may help identify items in your collection.  If a book is reference, the Fine Arts staff is eager to look up whatever information you seek.  Ebooks on antiques and collectibles can also be checked out by going to Hoopla at https://www.prattlibrary.org/books-and-more.  

Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2021
by Ralph M. Kovel
Book

Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide 2020-2021 
by Judith Miller
Book
Warman’s Fiesta; Identification and Price Guide
by Glen Victorey
Book

Lehner’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Marks on Pottery, Porcelain & Clay
by Lois Lehner
Book
Glass Signatures, Trademarks, and Trade Names From the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century
by Anne Geffken Pullin
Book
Mauzy’s Depression Glass; A Photographic Reference and Price Guide
by Barbara Mauzy & Jim Mauzy
Book
Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry:  Covers 1840-1950
by C. Jeanenne Bell
Book
Collecting Art Plastic Jewelry; Identification and Price Guide
by Leigh Leshner
Book
Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers by Dorothy T. Rainwater
Book
Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks
by Bille Hougart
Book
200 Years of Dolls; Identification and Price Guide
by Dawn Herlocher
Book
Collecting Costume Jewelry 303:  The Flip Side; Exploring Costume Jewelry From the Back:  Identification and Value Guide
by Julia C. Carroll
Book

Spotlight on World Autism Awareness Day

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, we wanted to spotlight a few books featuring characters that are on the Autism spectrum. From fiction and romance to nonfiction and thriller, we hope that you can not only learn from, but enjoy these novels.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
eBook
The Rosie Result
by Graeme Simsion
eBook
The Bride Test
by Helen Hoang
eBook
The Suicide House
by Charlie Donlea
Book
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
eBook
The Girl With The DragonTattoo
by Stieg Larsson
eBook
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
by Jonathan Safran Foer
eBook
In A Different Key
by John Donvan and Caren Zucker
eBook
Look Me In The Eye
by John Elder Robison
eBook
The Kiss Quotient
by Helen Hoag
eBook
Daniel Isn’t Talking
by Marti Leimbach
Book
The Reason I Jump
by Naoki Higashida and Ka Yoshida
eBook