Category Archives: Toppan Rare Books Library

Resources in the Toppan Rare Book Library for Black History Month

Black History Month is celebrated annually in February. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to Blacks living in the United States … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Black history, Racism, Slavery, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How the Library of a 19th Century Club for Elites Ended Up at the University of Wyoming

In the Toppan Rare Books Library, there are several sub-collections of books. These sub-collections reflect where the Rare Books Library acquired the books, whether it was by donation, a transfer from a different part of the University of Wyoming, or … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, Authors and literature, Book history, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Lover’s Day: Eighteenth-Century Women Writers

For Book Lover’s Day (August 9), the AHC’s Toppan Rare Books Library offers you a historical vignette of prominent women authors and poets of the eighteenth century. While women did not particularly write more novels over the course of the … Continue reading

Posted in 18th century, Authors and literature, Book history, Poetry, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, women's history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transforming the Wrinkled Hide of Hecuba: Cosmetic Politics in 16th and 17th Century England

William Salmon’s widely popular and multipurpose Polygraphice1 went through several versions by the early 1700s. Salmon included in this practical guide recipes for a wide range of topics including art, cosmetics, and medicinal concoctions along with the principles of alchemy, … Continue reading

Posted in Book history, Racial bias, Student projects, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Whet Your Appetite for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving means tables groaning with food, and families and friends gathered in fellowship. So, in that spirit, let’s delve into a sampling of the cookbooks that are part of the American Heritage Center’s Toppan Rare Books Library. Fannie Merritt Farmer’s … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Holidays, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, women's history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Wizard of Oz – The Story Behind the Film

The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, beloved by children and adults alike, holds a special place in cinematographic history. The award-winning movie is based on an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum’s … Continue reading

Posted in Authors and literature, Book history, Hollywood history, motion picture history, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ex Libris Fitzhugh: Heraldry in Bookplates

Do you remember learning how to spell your name when you were younger and the following excitement of scrawling your name onto every paper, book cover, and notebook with a crayon? It was your statement of ownership and confidence as … Continue reading

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Margaret Bryan: A Scientist Ahead of Her Time

April 23rd, World Book Day, is an ideal opportunity to showcase one of the AHC Toppan Rare Books Library’s books. Lectures on Natural Philosophy by Margaret Bryan is but one sample of the many rare books the AHC has to … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, Authors and literature, Science, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, women's history | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Beauty in the Books: Treasures of the Toppan Library

Nestled between the Laramie Mountains to the east and the Snowy Range mountains to the west, Laramie is a gateway for visitors and residents alike to explore the beauty of Wyoming’s nature. Yet at the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage … Continue reading

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The Old-Time Saloon – Just History

Prohibition is little discussed today except in history classes. But if you’re interested in the still relevant political arguments that led to Prohibition in the first place, read the 1931 book The Old-Time Saloon: Not Wet, Not Dry—Just History by George … Continue reading

Posted in Authors and literature, cartoons, Holidays, Journalism, Politics, Prohibition, rare books, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment