A couple of weeks back Mrs B and I spent a couple of days in New York on a Spring break. We always try to visit something a bit off the usual tourist beat. This time my better half suggested visiting the J P Morgan Library & Museum, which is a museum and research library. Completed in 1906 as the private library of the banker J. P. Morgan, the institution is housed at 225 Madison Avenue in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan.
The famed banker and philanthropist J Pierpoint Morgan was an avid collector of books, ancient illuminated manuscripts and Egyptian treasures, and amassed a world-renowned collection. The museum is a fantastic place. J P Morgan acquired three original Gutenberg bibles from the 1450s, and the collection is on display for all to see.
| Gutenberg bible 1455 |
Also a Roy Lichtenstein painting inspired by (or perhaps plagiarized from) a comic panel drawn by Jack Abel, called “CRAK”. Double-click the photos to read the text card next to the exhibits, which acknowledges Jack Abel and Bob Haney’s original work in the April/May 1962 issue of Star Spangled War Stories.
I’ve also included a photo of one of the Gutenberg bibles from 1455 - white pages! And it’s never been in a mylar bag :-) .
I heartily recommend a visit.
Earlier we visited The Mysterious Bookshop, situated in the Tribeca neighbourhood on Warren Street. It is the oldest mystery bookshop in North America, owned by the writer, editor and publisher Otto Penzler, past editor of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. An amazing place, with wooden bookshelves extending up the 15-feet walls.
When then walked a couple of miles to Katz’s Delicatessen. I had to sample their signature dish - a huge corned beef sandwich on rye. I failed to finish it.
Any recommendations for places to visit?
It's odd that, never having been out of the UK, there are certain images of NY that seem familiar to me, no doubt from having seen them in movies and on TV. I almost feel like I've visited the area once upon a time.
ReplyDeletePlaces to visit? The past - and often.
DeleteYes, New York being one of the most photographed cities in the world and a constant presence in TV and movies for decades, certainly throughout our lives, does bring a familiarity without having lived there or visited.
DeleteVisiting the past? I think that's something we all do more and more as the years rush by. There was an interesting article in the The Guardian (it popped up in my FB feed) on the power of collecting (not hoarding) items which strongly connect us with our past. The premise of the article was that people do this to reassure themselves that they are still the same person they were in their teens or early adult years. I suspect there is a lot of truth in that. I recognise myself.
I'd agree with that, though I think (in my case anyway) it's also to do with making the past seem closer than it actually is by having tangible reminders of it. Incidentally, B, your previous post is still showing in my bloglist.
DeleteNot sure why my previous comment came up as Anonymous, maybe this one too. My avatar isn't showing and when I try to sign in, nothing happens.
DeleteMy comment box on my iPhone is now defaulting to Anonymous despite having logged in. Weird.
DeleteGreat pictures Ian. I was fortunate enough to visit NY around 2000 with my work but I didn't manage to visit all the places I wanted to due to work commitments but I did manage the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station ( stunning) Central Park, Midtown Comics etc. I agree the Empire state is a beautiful building and offers a wonderful view of the city. I was hoping to visit more book shops and delis but time sadly ran out
ReplyDeleteHope you get the chance to visit again now you’re retired, Paul. It’s an expensive city, but a lot of fun.
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