Gallery: Houdini's Letter, Mary Shelley's Hair Among New York Public Library's Artifacts
01houdinis-letter-to-the-new-york-public-library
*Harry Houdini's letter to the New York Public Library accompanied his contributions to the institution's collection of books on "legerdemain, magic or hand-cuff tricks."*
02worlds-fair-scrapbook
*This scrapbook documents the [1939 World's Fair in New York](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/thisdayintech/2010/04/gallery-1939-worlds-fair/).*
03beatles-trading-cards
*Collectible Beatles trading cards from the 1960s.*
04charles-dickens-letter-opener
*Charles Dickens loved his cat, Bob. He loved him so much that he had one of his paws turned into this letter opener, which dates back to 1862.*
05charlotte-brontes-desk
*The desk used by* Jane Eyre *author Charlotte Brontë.*
06civil-rights-buttons
*This collection of civil rights-themed buttons from the 1960s and '70s shows the struggles of both the African-American and women's rights movements.*
07handwritten-declaration-of-independence
*This copy of the Declaration of Independence was handwritten by Thomas Jefferson between July 4 and July 10, 1776.*
08charles-dickens-copy-of-david-copperfield
*This prompt copy of* David Copperfield *that Charles Dickens used for public readings dates back to 1875.*
09jack-kerouacs-harmonica
*A few of Jack Kerouac's less-infamous personal effects: glasses, harmonica and rolling papers.*
10library-key
*A ceremonial key to the New York Public Library was created in 1911 by medalist [Victor David Brenner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_David_Brenner), who also designed the Lincoln penny.*
11lock-of-mary-shelleys-hair
*This lock of* Frankenstein *author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's hair was sent to her friend [Thomas Jefferson Hogg](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_Hogg).*
