Having fun with the Capital Bicycle Club. February 22, 1887 cyanotypes, taken from the archives of the Washington, DC Public Library. In costume for a production of the play or skit “Procession of the Sacred Cat”.

Smaller group shot of ‘Procession of the Sacred Cat.’ A group of Capital Bicycle Club members are dressed in costume in front of a wall with paintings. In the background, one member is holding a bicycle with a parasol over it. A few other members are seated or kneeling in front holding various objects. February 22, 1887 cyanotype. American. Probably photographed by Max Hansmann who was the primary photographer for the Capital Bicycle Club. Collections of the Washington DC Public Library. Cyanotype itself in the public domain due to age via https://digdc.dclibrary.org/islandora/object/dcplislandora%3A337879?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=77a5a28acd4f5a56b2e2&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=0&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=0

Large group ‘Procession of the Sacred Cat.’ A group of Capital Bicycle Club members are dressed in costume in front of a wall with paintings. At center, a few members are holding a bicycle with a hand puppet mounted on the handlebars. A few other members are holding up a small canopy above the bicycle and the puppet. Many other costumed members are gathered around holding various objects including baskets and tambourines. February 22, 1887 cyanotype. American. Probably photographed by Max Hansmann who was the primary photographer for the Capital Bicycle Club. Collections of the Washington DC Public Library. Cyanotype itself in the public domain due to age via https://digdc.dclibrary.org/islandora/object/dcplislandora%3A337880?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=77a5a28acd4f5a56b2e2&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=0&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=1

Small group shot of ‘Procession of the Sacred Cat.’ A group of Capital Bicycle Club members are dressed in costume in front of a wall with paintings. At center, a few members are holding a bicycle with a hand puppet mounted on the handlebars. A few other members are holding up a small canopy above the bicycle and the puppet. February 22, 1887 cyanotype. American. Probably photographed by Max Hansmann who was the primary photographer for the Capital Bicycle Club. Collections of the Washington DC Public Library. Cyanotype itself in the public domain due to age via https://digdc.dclibrary.org/islandora/object/dcplislandora%3A337882?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=77a5a28acd4f5a56b2e2&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=0&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=3

Algae that looks like art. Cyanotypes from English botanist Anna Atkins’ 1843 work “Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions.” With only 13 copies ever made, we are lucky that one is in the collections of the New York Public Library and that they have scanned them for you and I to see.

Cystoseira fibrosa. — Cystoseira fibrosa. Collection of the New York Public Library. In the public domain. via https://publicdomainreview.org/collections/cyanotypes-of-british-algae-by-anna-atkins-1843/

"Chordaria flagelliformis." — “Chordaria flagelliformis.” Collection of the New York Public Library. In the public domain. via https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-4b58-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

"Fucus vesiculosus." — “Fucus vesiculosus.” Collection of the New York Public Library. In the public domain. via https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-4b48-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

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