Willughby's turkey

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, we offer here the turkey from The ornithology of Francis Willughby, as edited for publication by John Ray (London: Printed by A.C. for John Martyn, printer to the Royal Society, 1678). This title is part of the Thordarson Collection, among the strong holdings of history of science in the Department of Special Collections. The Department also has the Latin edition of 1676.

From another hotly contested election

As the nation watches election returns, we call your attention to an example of political print culture from an another hotly contested election eighty years ago. This small "Presidential Puzzle" from 1932, with printed wooden pieces housed in a printed cardboard box, highlighted campaign issues and claims from the incumbent, Herbert Hoover, and the challenger, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Presidential puzzle of 1932, showing box and wooden puzzle pieces.

The inside of the box presents the challenge: "Bet you can't get your candidate into White House corner." 

We were able to acquire this unusual puzzle, in its original box, through the generosity of the Shirley E.  Cherkasky and Jessie M. Christensen Special Collections Fund.