"M" is for Milton, Macduff, and MangMade

The Internet Archive features a collection of alphabet books from the past. Shown here is a page from An Alphabet of Celebrities (1899). These days one thinks of celebrities as the latest starlets or political figures on TV. For a primer at the turn of the century, this meant contemporary news makers as well as well-known historical figures. Today these are all historical while many have fallen out of "well-known" status.

This one in particular seems to have a bit of an old MAD Magazine quality to it, given the juxtaposition of "celebrities" and the accompanying light verse.

I've been a fan of the archive for many years for finding old films, but I'm new to looking at the books there. I love the interface and the feel of "turning the pages" on these beauties.

via A is for Archive: One Hundred Years of Alphabet Books « What’s New at the Internet Archive