Introducing an exclusive partnership with The New York Public Library celebrating the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures!
Featuring reproductions of historical documents and cultural artifacts from The New York Public Library Spencer Collection, Rare Book Division and Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, these special journals and notebooks are sure to capture the attention of history and literature buffs alike.
Our Partnership with The New York Public Library
A Shared Passion
The New York Public Library, founded in 1895, is America’s largest public library system and an essential resource of books, information, ideas and education. For over a century, the Library has been a hub for cultural and learning experiences. It is home to a variety of carefully curated collections of great historical importance, on topics ranging from Women’s Studies and U.S. History to Baseball and Computer Science.
Partnering with such a venerable institution is an inspiring opportunity to bring together our shared passion for lifelong learning and connecting communities.
Our First NYPL Releases
Our relationship with the Library goes back many years. We have had the honour to reproduce a number of works held in their collection, including antique bindings from the Spencer Collection (Autumn Symphony, Daphnis & Chloe, Poetry in Bloom) and Art Deco plates by Maurice Pillard (Emergence).
An Evolving Relationship
During a visit to NYPL in early 2019 we began to discuss ways in which our partnership could continue to grow. It was then we learned of a monumental exhibition the Library was putting together, showcasing the most significant and one-of-a-kind pieces in their collection. It felt like a natural opportunity to collaborate on some truly special stationery products honouring those featured documents and artifacts.
Creating this Exclusive Collection
Working Together
When our friends at The New York Public Library asked us to partner with them on branded journals for their new exhibition, we immediately delved into their archives together to select which heritage pieces to highlight. It is our great honour to be the stationery brand for the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures.
Developing the Designs
As soon as we returned to our home office in Vancouver, Canada, our marketing and design teams got to work. We were connected with many of the curators working on the exhibition so we could learn firsthand the cultural and historical details behind the pieces – important information that could only be shared by someone who has devoted their life’s work to researching it. Their passion was contagious, and our talented graphic artists dove headfirst into interpreting the art as Paperblanks cover designs.
Over the next year, we shared brainstorm sessions, concepts and mockups with the NYPL team. We sought to capture the most important details through our uniquely textured covers and rich, colourful palettes. Working with curatorial staff of the Library to do justice to their historic collection as well as treat these significant artifacts with due care and respect, we sought to create beautiful, unique, high quality products.
And with the Polonsky Exhibition now a permanent installment, we are delighted to continue this very special Paperblanks + NYPL collaboration!
A Special Collection
This is a front-row pass to the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures. With these designs and the stories they tell, you can go behind the scenes at this most venerable institution, taking home a piece of history that can inspire your own creativity and expression.
Our Treasures of The New York Public Library collection offers a selection of the most coveted, unique and culturally significant artifacts of the Library’s exhibit. We are honoured to have been chosen to work with NYPL on this inspiring and varied collection.
Each piece is truly a fragment of history in your hands.
Introducing the Treasures of The New York Public Library
Working Together
Discover new worlds with the Hunt-Lenox Globe and De Sideribus Tractatus, explore the creative mind of Virginia Woolf and – in a North American exclusive – honour American history with the Declaration of Independence this season.
Be sure to check out this beautiful and historic institution the next time you visit New York City, and keep an eye out for the original works behind these Paperblanks products.
What’s New and Coming Up
The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures officially opened on September 24, 2021. As people from around the world now have the chance to browse NYPL’s treasures in person, we continue to work on new products to complement the exhibit.
In Fall 2021, we were honoured to work with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture to create a special Embellished Manuscript journal reproducing a letter handwritten by civil rights leader Frederick Douglass. And in Spring 2022 we again worked with the Center to bring a draft of Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings to our Treasures of The New York Public Library collection. We are excited to see what comes next in this ongoing partnership.
Learn from the Exhibit Curators
