Somehow a whole year just sneaked right past me–so congratulations to me for actually sticking with something for a whole year, and a huge THANKS to you all, whoever you may be (Google Analytics says you are, in fact, out there), for indulging me. As ADG might say, “Onward!”
Above is a calling card left by the wife of artist Charles E. Dana, who studied under Thomas Eakins at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art. A portrait of him, painted by his mentor, now hangs on its hallowed walls among other Eakins works (below). Mr. Dana was also a trustee of the Pennsylvania Museum of Industrial Art (the precursor to the Philadelphia Museum of Art), professor at the University of Pennsylvania, a founding member of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, and an early member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club–America’s oldest continuous artist organization. Their address on the 2000 block of Delancey Place (present spelling) lies on one of the most exclusive streets in the city to this day. They would have lived directly across the street from the Rosenbach brothers who were noted book, manuscript, fine art, and antique collectors and whose home is maintained as a museum to this day. The Rosenbach Museum’s collection contains many first editions and original drafts, inlcuding the archives of Maurice Sendak, James Joyce’s Ulysses, and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
LINKS:
Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art
Philadelphia Sketch Club (look under Archives & Permanent Collection for a brief bio)
N. Snellenburg & Co., 1922, 12th and Market Streets, SE corner, Philadelphia
from the Free Library Archives
Actually, most of the shoes in the Florsheim Imperial line are 25% off in store, so save your concern- I will still be able to make rent this month. Sorry for posting a stock photo, but with the snow and all I haven’t quite had a chance to wear these guys yet. I have had my eye on this pair of Kenmoor longwings for a while and thanks to Uncle Sam they are now sitting on my shoe shelf! I know, I know…Florsheim isn’t what it used to be, and they are made in India, but I have high hopes that these will last a good long while into my career. Goodyear welted, steel-shanked, and double (triple?)-soled, they are built like a tank. Based on the other pairs I own, after wearing them a few times they should fit my feet like slippers- I will be sure to post an update.