Minerva mosaic, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., circa 1915

Subject: Libraries
Card type: Lithograph
Date: c. 1915 (White Border)

Back of Minerva mosaic, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., circa 1915, c. 1915 lithograph postcard — Back

About this postcard

Elihu Vedder's mosaic of Minerva in the Library of Congress presents the goddess of wisdom in an arched frame. She holds a scroll listing the Sciences, Arts and Letters in her left hand and a spear in her right. The aegis with its Gorgon's head covers her breast, and a helmet and shield lie at her feet. An owl stands at her right; at her left, a statuette of Nike on a globe extends the wreath of victory and the palm branch of peace. A wide landscape and a bright sun fill the background. The mosaic is part of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building, which opened in 1897, and Vedder's classical figure served as an emblem of learning.

Postcard Details

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PublisherB. S. Reynolds Co.

Minerva, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. NIL INVITA MINERVA QUAE MONUMENTUM AERE PERENNIUS EXEGIT MINERVA, the Goddess of Wisdom. MOSAIC—By Elihu Vedder. She is here portrayed as displaying a scroll held in her left hand, upon which is inscribed a list of the Sciences, Arts and Letters. In her right hand she carries her spear; upon her breast is the aegis, with its Gorgon's head, plates of steel, and border of twisted serpents; and at her feet lie helmet and shield. On her right is the owl; on her left a statuette of Nike, the Winged Victory of the Greeks, standing upon a globe, and extending the wreath of victory and the palm branch of peace. The background shows a fair stretching landscape, and the sun of prosperity sheds its effulgence over all. From Practical Guide Library of Congress

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Postcard record

Publisher	B. S. Reynolds Co.
Series	65057-N
Condition	Excellent
Place depicted	Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Place mentioned	Library of Congress, Washington, DC, Washington, DC
Publisher	Washington, DC
Notes	White border; printed number 65057-N at lower right; publisher line for B. S. Reynolds Co., 918 D St., Northwest, Washington, D. C. No postmark. Divided-back card with printed description of the Minerva mosaic; C.T. American Art / B. S. Reynolds Co. imprint. Pencil dealer marks '#59' and '1-' at lower right.

Cite this card

Minerva mosaic, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., circa 1915, postcard, c. 1915. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/minerva-mosaic-library-of-congress-washington-d-c-circa-1915. Accessed November 2, 2026.