The Rosenblog
Treasures from the Rosenbach’s Collection: September Gallery Rotation
A behind-the-scenes look at last week's gallery rotation in Treasures from the Rosenbach’s Collection: History of the Material Text and Treasures from the Rosenbach’s Collection: Literature of Great Britain and Ireland.
A note from intern Dena
I am still exploring the paths I can take with my degree, but I know whatever I do, it will be in or around the arts. This is what attracted me to be a collections intern right here at the Rosenbach Museum and Library.
A note from intern Weronika
I have held a special place in my heart for museum work since my time in undergrad, and this summer, I had the privilege of pursuing this passion as an intern at the Rosenbach Museum & Library.
The Rosenbach is committed to the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective, Sherlock Holmes
As our Sherlock Monthly Biblioventures audience knows, the Rosenbach is committed to the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective, Sherlock Holmes. Our collection contains Sherlockian first editions and even the manuscript of a significant Holmes story, “The Empty House” [EL4 .D754e 903 MS]. Another key work has now added to the collection is the first printing of the second story to feature Holmes and Watson, the novel The Sign of the Four, first published in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in Philadelphia and London in February 1890.
Welcoming Two New Board Members: Diane Ambler and Danielle Bergmann
We are delighted to announce the appointment of two outstanding individuals to the Board of Directors of the Rosenbach Museum & Library: Diane Ambler and Danielle Bergmann. Their terms officially began on July 1, 2025, and each brings valuable expertise, dedication, and passion for the Rosenbach’s mission.
“No such thing as a moral or an immoral book:” Rosenbach acquires copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray
At the end of March 2025, the Rosenbach wrapped up a subscription-only Biblioventures series featuring Irish author Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which a team of hosts led participants in a close reading and discussion of the novel. But while Dr. Rosenbach was (arguably) wild about Wilde, he didn’t leave a copy of Dorian Gray for our founding collection, resulting in a noticeable gap. Until now…
“What is your favorite book?”
When getting to know new people, I love to ask the question, “what is your favorite book?”
What I’m hoping to learn is not their favorite story, although this may factor into their answer, but rather their favorite book-as-an-object. As someone who is surrounded by books every day, I am always curious to learn what people find meaningful about specific volumes. I’ve gotten a few memorable answers: a particular copy of Winnie-the-Pooh, chosen for the memories it carries of a childhood home; a leather-bound planner that serves as a daily companion; a grandparent’s cookbook that still smells like frying onions and potatoes…
Government Funding and the Rosenbach
Like many museums and libraries across the country, late last week we received notice that our two federal grants—one from the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) totaling $248,953 and one from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) totaling $330,977—were canceled…
In Conversation with Rebecca Romney, author of Jane Austen’s Bookshelf
Thanks to rare book dealer Rebecca Romney, I am more than halfway through Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho, a book I would have never picked up if it weren’t for Rebecca’s new book, Jane Austen’s Bookshelf…
Governess Glam: Marianne Moore’s copy of Jane Eyre
When the American poet Marianne Moore (1887–1972) picked up this copy of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, the cover must have caught her eye. A robust beauty gazes at the reader…
An interview with Joyce scholar Vicki Mahaffey on her new book The Joyce of Everyday Life
Vicki Mahaffey has been teaching and writing about James Joyce for decades, at the Rosenbach but also at University of Pennsylvania and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. And yet she has more to say on the topic…
The Portrait of a Lady: Reparative Cataloging at the Rosenbach
On the stairwell of the Rosenbach Museum & Library’s historic house hangs a portrait of a woman and her child (1954.1882). The woman’s elbow rests on a plush sofa while the child combs her mother’s dark hair. The identity of the woman has long been a source of confusion, and our limited documentation on the portrait is often contradictory…
Join us in welcoming Sandra L. Suarez to the Rosenbach’s Board of Directors
The Rosenbach Museum & Library is pleased to announce that Sandra L. Suarez has been appointed to the Board of Directors, as of July 1, 2023.
Bloomsday is Back! The Rosenbach’s Annual Celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses Returns
The Rosenbach Museum & Library is pleased to announce that Sandra L. Suarez has been appointed to the Board of Directors, as of July 1, 2023. (Photo credit Mark Garvin)
The Rosenbach Welcomes Two New Members to the Board of Directors
The Rosenbach Museum & Library is pleased to announce that Daniel Levine and Melissa Greenberg have been appointed to the Board of Directors, as of December 15, 2022.
Galactic Philadelphia Literary Salon with Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki and C.S.E. Cooney
The award-winning Nigerian science fiction writer, editor and publisher Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki will be a featured reader at the Galactic Philadelphia Literary Salon at The Rosenbach Library & Museum on January 18th.
Join us in welcoming Jude Tuma to the Board of Directors
The Rosenbach Museum & Library is pleased to announce that Jude Tuma has been appointed to the Board of Directors.
Jude joins the Rosenbach community as an avid reader and supporter of libraries, collections, and the many independent bookstores of Philadelphia.
The Rosenbach Presents Dracuthon: An Overnight Reading of Bram Stoker’s Dracula
The Rosenbach Museum & Library presents Dracuthon, an overnight reading of Bram Stoker’s Dracula
The Rosenbach Receives Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Totaling $248,953
The Rosenbach Museum and Library is honored to have been awarded a grant totaling $248,953 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The funding from IMLS will support “the Rosenbach Library Discovery Project,” which will create a modern, online, and publicly discoverable library catalog that will expand access to the Rosenbach’s diverse holdings.
Join us in Welcoming our New Chair and Members to our Board of Directors
The Rosenbach is pleased to announce that Benito Cachinero-Sánchez has been elected Chair of its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2022. Benito has served on the board of directors since 2017 as a crossover member from the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and has been an active and passionate supporter, providing thoughtful guidance to the Rosenbach as it advances its mission within the Philadelphia community and beyond.
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