UChicago Curio Cabinet

uchicagoadmissions: The Book Thief “Otto Funk, kleptomaniac, “crank, and dynamitard,” in the words of the Chicago Tribune, was for the year 1885 undoubtedly the best-known graduate of the University of Chicago—the Old University of Chicago, that is, founded in 1857 at Cottage Grove Avenue and 35th Street and forerunner of the current institution. Three years after his graduation in 1882, more than 2,000 books stolen from the Chicago Public Library were discovered—some 100 in Funk’s apartment in the Prairie Avenue neighborhood and the rest in a relative’s barn in Bridgeport. The city’s chief librarian claimed that it was the largest embezzlement of its kind in US history.” We don’t condone book-stealing, but we have a soft spot for this alum, who’s passion for books led to some illicit acquisitions. Read more here. 

uchicagoadmissions:

The Book Thief

“Otto Funk, kleptomaniac, “crank, and dynamitard,” in the words of the Chicago Tribune, was for the year 1885 undoubtedly the best-known graduate of the University of Chicago—the Old University of Chicago, that is, founded in 1857 at Cottage Grove Avenue and 35th Street and forerunner of the current institution. Three years after his graduation in 1882, more than 2,000 books stolen from the Chicago Public Library were discovered—some 100 in Funk’s apartment in the Prairie Avenue neighborhood and the rest in a relative’s barn in Bridgeport. The city’s chief librarian claimed that it was the largest embezzlement of its kind in US history.”

We don’t condone book-stealing, but we have a soft spot for this alum, who’s passion for books led to some illicit acquisitions. Read more here. 

The Mace

Almost a full decade into the new millennium, the University remained in the awkward position of possessing not a single official University Mace.  By October 2009, it had finally rectified this situation by commissioning a four foot, sterling silver mace bearing the University’s seal, coat of arms, and motto.  The mace is carried by the University Marshall at occasions of pomp and presumably also by Dean Boyer into battle.

uchicagomag: From the Library of Congress—A 1954 reading list by Carl Sagan, AB’54, SB’55, SM’56, PhD’60 How many of these books have you read?

uchicagomag:

From the Library of Congress—
A 1954 reading list by Carl Sagan, AB’54, SB’55, SM’56, PhD’60

How many of these books have you read?

bylo: one of many chicago transit graphics from the 20s.

bylo:

one of many chicago transit graphics from the 20s.

(via fyuchicago)