aT*%IT*%Is & ^ Y U THE ^ & PAT I E N T L I O N S U AT T H E N E W YO R K Y & ^ PU BL IC L I BR A RY Y U hj ^ & Lesley M. M. Blume U Y & ^ thor n w illow Y U Broadside Library ^ & U Y z%IT*%IT*x
t h e pat i e n t l i o n s at t h e n e w y o r k p u b l i c l i b r a ry
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uch of midtown’s portion of Fih Avenue is devoted to unapologetic, touri-geared commerce – but amble further down to 4 2 nd Street, and you will happen across the intelleual sanuary of the New York Public Library. The front doors of this Beaux Arts maerpiece–completed exaly a century ago, in 1 9 1 1 –are guarded by two much-beloved marble lions, and it’s worth making their acquaintance. Like many civic symbols, these creatures have been named and renamed according to the events and whims of various generations. Originally called “Leo Aor” and “Leo Lenox” in honor of the library's tycoon founders, hotelier John Jacob Aor and philanthropi James Lenox, the lions later became known as Lady Aor and
Lord Lenox (even though both animals are male). Then, in the 1 9 3 0 s, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia renamed the atues “Patience” and “Fortitude”– signifying qualities that he felt New Yorkers would need to weather the Great Depression. (It should be noted La Guardia’s noble eort has largely only been half-heeded: to this day, New Yorkers are not exaly known for their patience. But fortitude we have in spades.) One sunny spring aernoon, grab a picnic lunch and set up shop under one of the lions. The people-watching from this perch is unparalleled, and perhaps you’ll art to feel fortied and patient yourself–which will no doubt come in handy as you forge your way back up crowded Fih Avenue.
aT*%IT*%Is & ^ Y U ^ & U Y & ^ Y U ^ & U Y & ^ Y U ^ & U Y z%IT*%IT*x Visit our Library Gallery of
Paper, Printing, Binding and Books
celebrate the written word
thornwillow.com hj thornwillow at the st. regis
9 23 sixteenth & k streets, n.w. washington, d.c. 2 0 0 0 6
(2 0 2 ) 55 2 -4742 hj thornwillow at the st. regis 2 east fifty-fifth street
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