Welcome to Library Fun Finds! An ongoing series where we share some of the fun and unique items we come across in the library and archives collections.
Coming from the construction files, an early draft of a familiar sight.
From Central Archives, sketch of whale from announcement of committee members for the Decoration and Development of the Fish and Oceanic Halls, April 1925
L. VanDenBerg/© AMNH
L. VanDenBerg/© AMNH
This quick sketch on the back of the announcement of committee members for the Decoration and Development of the Fish and Oceanic Halls in April 1925 shows a quick idea for a new whale pose.
From Central Archives, April 20, 1925 letter to Committee for the Decoration and Development of the Fish and Oceanic Halls
L. VanDenBerg/© AMNH
L. VanDenBerg/© AMNH
Whale models and whale displays have been an iconic part of the museum since early days. Based on photographs from the 1930s remodel, it does not seem like that pose was used at the time...
Hall of Ocean Life, May, 1933
J. Kirschner/© AMNH
J. Kirschner/© AMNH
...but it does look an awful lot like the current whale we know and love!
Blue Whale and dioramas, Irma and Paul Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life, 2015
M. Shanley/© AMNH
M. Shanley/© AMNH
For more interesting facts about the this icon and inspiration, watch What Color Is a Blue Whale?
This entry was written by Lauren VanDenBerg, Shelby White & Leon Levy Project Archivist.