Books that Build Bodies: Gymnastics and Physical Culture in the 19th Century

Collecting illustrated books on sports has never been a priority at Cotsen, but the research collection contains a wealth of material about the history of physical culture since the late 18th century.  But I had no idea how many until I started researching … Continue reading

Pussy Plans Her Wedding: Product Placement in Victorian Toy Books

Weddings of animals have been solemnized in picture books since the mid-nineteenth century, even though it can be difficult to draw the bride or groom in their finery when they have tails, wings, or more than two legs.  The toy-book … Continue reading