In the 18th and 19th centuries, an obsession spread among bibliophiles for extra-illustrating or grangerizing books. Readers would supplement the pages of an already published book by inserting prints and related materials acquired from other sources. This process would often result in a huge expansion of the original volume.
The Huntington announced the appointment of Diego Godoy as the associate curator of the Library’s California and Hispanic collections. Godoy comes to The Huntington from Duke University Libraries, where he serves as librarian for Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Studies. He begins his new role on Aug. 26.
Huntington Exchange Fellowship partners discuss the archives and collections available to prospective applicants and the application process.
More than a century has passed since the iconic Victoria water lily last graced The Huntington’s botanical collections. Today, you’ll find these intriguing tropical giants growing in the basin of the North Vista’s fountain and in the Lily Ponds on the south side of the property.
What may be the first aerial photographs of Pasadena, captured in 1909, were the product of a risky—almost disastrous—undertaking. When photographer Harold A. Parker was on the balloon American, he took photos of the city from the air. But the journey became harrowing when the balloon flew off course.
The Huntington will present the culmination of the national touring exhibition “Raqib Shaw: Ballads of East and West” from Nov. 16, 2024, through March 3, 2025. Raqib Shaw is a London-based artist known for opulent and fantastical works that blend Eastern and Western influences to create mesmerizing paintings that merge fable, history, and autobiography.
The Huntington has appointed Annabel Adams to the position of vice president of communications and marketing. Recently serving as assistant dean of communications at UCLA’s School of Law, Adams has nearly two decades of experience leading communications and marketing teams in higher education, humanities, and legal and health-technology sectors.
Provenance, or the ownership history of a valued item, is generally associated with works of art. But plant provenance has become increasingly important as theft from botanical collections and the wild escalates. In response, The Huntington has joined an international working group focused on raising awareness of the problem.
A time lapse of the 2022 Corpse Flower bloom at The Huntington recorded over a period of about 40 hours. The rare Amorphophallus titanum plant bloomed on June 19, 2022.
The Huntington has acquired a 1543 “Fabrica” by Andreas Vesalius, whose book revolutionized the field of anatomy. The volume’s reunion with the Los Angeles County Medical Association’s collection at The Huntington not only restores a cornerstone of medical history but fosters deeper connections among the Library’s medical treasures.