5,322 Rare books Images: LOC's Public Domain Archive Public Domain Search

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[Half-human monsters called "wonder-people" and soulless animal monste...

Illus. in: Buch der natur / Konrad von Magenberg. Augsburg : J. Bamler, 1481. Published in: The tradition of science / Leonard C. Bruno. Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1987, p. 79.

[Aeneas' ship landing on an island]

Illus. in: French ed. of Virgil's Aeneid, publ. in Lyon in 1483 by Guillaume Le Roy. Reference copy may be in LOT 4714. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Shelf.

Herodotus. Historia. Venezia...1494

Person placing laurel wreath on head of scribe in library. One of 15th century Italian prints dealing with books and reading reproduced in: Max Sander, Le Livre a Figures Italien, v. 5. Reference copy may be in... More

[Crowned Greek astronomer Ptolemy and his Renaissance translator Regio...

Frontspiece in: Epytoma in Almagestum / Regiomontus. Venice : J. Hammam, 1496. Published in: The tradition of science / Leonard C. Bruno. Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1987, p. 29.

St. Christopher. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Woodcut by Lukas Cranach the Elder, 1472-1553. Hollstein, 79 (later impression IIa? without inscriptions and with three breaks in the border; two on bottom and one at upper left); Bartsch, 58; LeBlanc, 12. Wate... More

[Deposition from the Cross] - Public domain dedication image

Illus. in: Fascicula mirre..., Antwerp, 1518. Reference copy may be in LOT 4444-B. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: RBD; Bible, NT; Shelf.

[Title page of Witelo, De Natura, illus. with composite of various phe...

Illus. in: Witelo, De Natura, 1535. Reference copy may be in LOT 7007. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Rainbow; Light; Natural phenomena; Science; BI Works; RBD; Shelf.

[Lucrezia Borgia (1480-1519), in court, holding dagger to her breast] ...

Woodcut from De claris mulieribus by G. Boccaccio. Bernae Helvet, [1539] Reference copy may be in LOT 4966. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Shelf.

[Man's head, showing anatomy of brain; and surrounding text]

Illus. and text in: De humani corporis fabrica / Andreas Vesalius. Basileae :[Ex Officina I. Oporini], 1543, p. 605 Published in: The tradition of science / Leonard C. Bruno. Washington, D.C. : Library of Congr... More

[Cutaway view of water-powered saw mill]

Illus. in: Le Diverse et Artificose Machine del Capitano Agostino Ramelli, 1588, oppos. p. 212. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: B.I.; Incun.; Sawmills.

[Exercises of youth]. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Illus. in: Brevis narratio eorvm qvæ in Florida Americæ provi̇cia Gallis acciderunt, : secunda in illam nauigatione, duce Renato de Laudōniere ... anno MDLXIIII. Qvae est secvnda pars Americae ... / Auctore Iac... More

Ceremonies used when killing enemies and eating these. Methods of kill...

Illus. in: Theodor de Bry, America, Frankfurt, 1593, p. 83. Reference copy may be in LOT 4411. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Shelf.

Carius, an Indian from a different tribe, is slaughtered and eaten by ...

Illus. in: Theodor de Bry, America, Frankfurt, 1593, p. 48. Reference copy may be in LOT 4411. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Shelf.

Of the unicorne [sic] - Public domain dedication image

Unicorn facing right with one leg in air. Illus. and text in: The historie of foure-footed beastes / Edward Topsell. London : W. Laggard, 1607, p. 711. Published in: The tradition of science / Leonard C. Bruno.... More

[Title page of Nova Brittania: offering most excellent fruits by plant...

Illus. in: Nova Brittania: offering most excellent fruits by planting in Virginia (London, 1609) Johnson, Robert, fl. 1586-1628, supposed author. File print on back of VA. HISTORY COLONIAL PERIOD card. This rec... More

Marcus Sadeler - Presens Rustiques / Marcus, sc.

Landscape, with dead and live animals, baskets of fruit, and man standing holding dog on rope. Bradley Collection.

Il [mondo] e [per] lo piu [gabbia] di [matti] / Giuseppe Ma. Mitelli i...

Print shows a large cage containing all manner of men, from scientists and musicians to the dregs of society. Sitting outside on the top of the cage are Fortune, whom all desire to reach, and the artist, busily... More

Damm citta di Pomerania assediata e presa dal barone de Juchee general...

Birds-eye view print shows plan of the fortified city Demmin in Pomerania (Germany) in 1659 with view of the "Lago" at the top of the print. Includes views of troop locations and other fortifications during sie... More

Wenceslaus Hollar - [Horse, rose, narcissus, etc.]

Animalium, ferarum et bestiarum, florum, etc., no. 12. LeBlanc 2 (101-112) Parthey 2075.

[Murder of the missionaries by the Indians]

Illus. in: Historiae Canadensis - New France. Reference copy may be in LOT 4411. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Canada; Relig. Missionaries; Indians & w.; Shelf.

Umbständliche Relation und Vorstellung des durch die tapfere Venetiani...

Print shows two birds-eye views. The upper image shows a view of the walled city of Patras, Greece, the gulf of Lepanto beyond, and two smaller fortifications on either side of the Dardanelle straits further in... More

Wonders of the invisible world: being an account of the trials of seve...

Title page; no illus. No ref. copy. Illus. in: Wonders of the invisible world: being an account of the trials of several witches, lately executed in New England...by Cotton Mather. This record contains unverifi... More

[Native Americans collecting sap and cooking maple syrup in pots, till...

Illus. in: Moeurs des sauvages ameriquains, comparées aux moeurs des premiers temps / Joseph Francois Lafitau. Paris : Saugrain l'aîne [etc.], 1724, vol. 2, pl. 7, opp. p. 154.

El almirante Christoral Colon descubre la Isla Españ̃ola, iy haze pone...

Etching shows Christopher Columbus being greeted by native people upon his landing on the island of Hispanola. In the background, soldiers plant a cross and native women flee from the arriving sailors. Illus. i... More

While nature lies around deep--lull'd in noon / Schmolze.

Tree and riverbank in country setting. Reference copy also available in LOT 4638-A. Illus. in: Nivelon, F. / The rudiments of genteel behavior, p. 127.

Cavalcade de Masquea. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Print shows 8 vignettes with figures on horseback identified by various attributes, such as the figure at top left, "Le Marquis de la triste figure" or the melancholy marquis followed by "Le pere la Joie", "Mr.... More

[Socrates] standing before seated group in temple portico; large crowd...

Engraving by L.P. Boitard. Illus. in: Cooper, The Life of Socrates, London, 1750, p. 115. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.

Sir Isaac Newton, Head and Shoulders Portrait

Portrait, head and shoulders, facing right. Mezzotint by James McArdell after Enoch Seeman. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Orig. in Hubbard Coll. 5415-11 "A".

A view of the of the Pierced Island, a remarkable rock in the Gulf of ...

Print shows a warship in the foreground approaching rock formation in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Printed for John Bowles at No. 13 in Cornhill, Robert Sayer at No. 53 in Fleet Street, Thos. Jefferys the corne... More

The hon. James Otis, jun. Esq. - Public domain portrait engraving by J...

Print shows James Otis, bust portrait, flanked by Hercules crushing a snake with his foot and Minerva holding a staff topped with a liberty cap. Illus. in: Bickerstaff's Boston almanack, .... Boston : 1770, ti... More

Paul Revere - [The coffin of Patrick Carr]

Print shows section of newspaper column with illustration of the coffin bearing skull and crossbones and the initials of Patrick Carr, who died from wounds received during the Boston Massacre. Illus. in: The B... More

[Title page of An argument in the case of James Sommersett ...]

Text in: Hargrave, Francis. An argument in the case of James Sommersett,... London : Printed for the author and sold by W. Otridge ..., 1772, title page. Published in: Slavery in the courtroom : an annotated bi... More

A Methodist, love feast. The gosple wife, or the bellows lecture, Brit...

Political cartoon showing man and woman at door and priest hiding under table. Forms part of : British Cartoon Prints Collection (Library of Congress).

A machine for delivering persons from burning houses / R. Aitken sculp...

Print shows two men manipulating a large wooden device with pulleys and a large basket attached for the rescue of persons from burning buildings. Title from related article in The Pennsylvania Magazine. For the... More

A view of the country towards Dorchester, taken from the advanced work...

Print shows open countryside looking toward Dorchester, Massachusetts, with soldiers in redoubt on the left. Illus. in: The Atlantic Neptune, published for the use of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, by Joseph... More

David Wooster, Esq'r. - commander in chief of the Provincial Army agai...

Print shows David Wooster, three-quarter length portrait, standing, facing left, wearing military uniform, holding pike in right hand, left hand resting on cannon. Forms part of: British cartoon Prints collec... More

Charles Lee Esq'r. - Americanischer general-major

Print shows Charles Lee, half-length portrait, wearing military uniform, facing left; in oval. Illus. in: Geschichte der kriege in und ausser Europa / Christoph Heinrich Korn. Nürnberg : G.N. Raspe, 1776-84, p... More

[Jeremiah]. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Etched study for wing of altarpiece made for Royal Chapel, Windsor. Title and other information from Beall. American prints in the Library of Congress : a catalog of the collection / compiled by Karen F. Beall.... More

Blessed are the peacemakers, British Cartoon Print

Print shows two men representing Spain and France leading George III by a rope attached to his neck and Lord Shelburne through a gateway formed by spears, from the crossbar of which are tumbling the British lio... More

Veluti in speculum. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Print shows seven British officers admiring themselves in a mirror held up for them by a devil. The officers are, from right to left, Amherst, Murray, Burgoyne, and possibly Tarleton, Cornwallis, Clinton, and S... More

Sarratoga [sic] / dessiné par Fauvel ; gravé par F. Godefroy de l'Acad...

Print shows the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 17, 1777; includes text. Illus. in: Recueil d'estampes representant les différents événemens de la Guerre qui a procuré l'indépendance aux Eta... More

The Royal Society. Book illustration from Library of Congress, British...

"The Prince presides at a carouse round a circular table..." (Source: George) One of a set of prints on the marriage of the Prince of Wales, see No. 6924, &c. This record contains unverified data from George. C... More

View of a pass over the South Mountains from York Town to Carlisle / B...

Illus. in: The Columbian magazine, or, Monthly miscellany. Philadelphia : Printed for Seddon, Spotswood, Cist, and Trenchard, 1788 May, opp. p. 236. Fielding, 1570 Published in: The American Revolution in draw... More

Maria Antoinetta van Oostenryk. Koningin van Frankryk / L.A. Claessens...

Head-and-shoulders portrait, in oval, facing left. Public domain scan of portrait print from Library of Congress, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Abolition of the slave trade, or the man the master, British Cartoon P...

Illustration shows the reversal of roles for slaves and slave masters, with former slaves now in the role of the slave master. No known restrictions on publication. Forms part of British Cartoon Prints Collect... More

La Contre revolution. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Cartoon showing clergy, nobility, and fugitive counterrevolutionaries, who were against the reforms of the revolution, walking in procession along the Rhine River toward a man, on the left, holding a paper that... More

Fountain of Egeria. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Signed in pencil. Title and other information from Beall. American prints in the Library of Congress : a catalog of the collection / compiled by Karen F. Beall... Baltimore : John Hopkins Press, 1970, p. 106.

New York from Brooklyn - Public domain book illustration, Library of C...

Bird's-eye view with Brooklyn Bridge on right. Copyright by Irving Underhill. No. D-420.

An American having struck a bear but not killed him, escapes into a tr...

Bear looking up at man in tree. Illus. in: A journal of the voyages and travels of a corps of discovery : under the command of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke of the Army of the United States [...] during the year... More

John Wesley Jarvis - Thomas MacDonough U.S.N.

Print shows Commodore Thomas MacDonough, half-length portrait in uniform. Engraving by J.B. Forrest from the original by J.W. Jarvis. Illustrated in: The national portrait gallery of distinguished Americans / ... More

Enterprise and Boxer. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Print shows the American warship Enterprise engaged in battle with HMS Boxer. In decorative border with anchors, American flags, ship rigging, an eagle, and cameo portraits of two ships.

[United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. South wing, section]

Inscriptions on recto: "Section of South wing of old Capitol as rebuilt looking north" "342." Verso obscured by lining. Reference copy available in LOT 4249. Forms part of Benjamin Henry Latrobe Archive (Libr... More

Mr. Burchell's first visit, Thomas Rowlandson

Eight people seated around dining table in large kitchen. Reference copy also available in LOT 4638-C. Illus. in: Goldsmith, Oliver / The vicar of Wakefield, 1823, p. 33. Thomas Rowlandson - English caricaturi... More

Sir Walter Scott and his literary friends at Abbotsford / painted by T...

Scott, Mackenzie, Wilson, Crabbe, Lockhart, Wordsworth, Jeffrey, Ferguson, Moore, Allen, Campbell, Wilkie, and Constable seated at table. Engraved for the Eclectic magazine.

Mystery of Babylon. Book illustration from Library of Congress

An anti-religious satire attacking most of the major denominations of the nineteenth century, including Catholics, Episcopalians, Calvinists, Universalists, Methodists, Baptists, and Quakers. The artist parodi... More

Our country's flag! A new national song

Cover illustration for a patriotic song composed by George F. Cole, copyrighted in 1836. A young American seaman, holding an American flag with his right hand and raising his hat aloft with his left, stands on... More

6 cents. Humbug glory bank - Public domain book illustration, Library ...

Another mock bank note parodying the "shinplasters" of the 1837 panic. Such small-denomination notes were based on the division of the Spanish dollar, the dominant specie of the time. Hence they were issued in ... More

New edition of MacBeth. Bank-oh's! Ghost

Another satire on the Panic of 1837, again condemning Van Buren's continuation of predecessor Andrew Jackson's hard-money policies as the source of the crisis. Clay shows the president haunted by the ghost of C... More

A woman rescued from the jaws of a catamount

Illus. in: The Crockett Almanac, 1838, p. 5. Reference copy may be in LOT 4392-5. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Woman; West; PI; Almanacs; Shelf.

An exploring expedition on the Canal Street plan / The exploring exped...

Print satirizes Charles Wilkes' United States Exploring Expedition, which left in August 1838. The upper left vignette shows Wilkes in a rowboat with scientists who use a transit or telescope to see fauna. The ... More

Evenhanded justice of the breaking up of the star chamber

Another in the series of "Spoodlyks's" satires on the Glentworth affair. (See also nos. 1840-60, -61, and -63). Here the artist portrays Glentworth's attempt to remove evidence in the vote fraud inquiry from t... More

Der Schumacher. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Print shows two men working in a shoe shop. In album: Oertels Lesebuch, 32 Bilder, 2te Abtg.

This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend . . .

A Whig campaign print, showing William Henry Harrison greeting a wounded veteran before a log cabin by a river. The cabin flies an American flag with the words "Harrison & Tyler" and with a liberty cap on its s... More

Matty's dream. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Clay portrays Martin Van Buren driven from the White House by nightmares of cider barrels and Whig presidential challenger William Henry Harrison. Van Buren flees the presidential mansion in his nightshirt, dro... More

Luftschiffahrt. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Caricature of early commercial airship travel; elevated airship platform station in Vienna. Landauer Collection of Aeronautical Prints and Drawings. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. ... More

Fight between the Kentucky coon & the Tennessee alligator

A woodland fantasy satirizing the prominent figures of the 1844 election campaign. The artist again favors Whig candidate Henry Clay, the "Kentucky Coon," who is shown overwhelming Democrat James K. Polk, the ... More

Loco Foco triumphal honors - Public domain book illustration, Library ...

A mock triumphal procession ridiculing "Loco Foco" or radical Democratic support of candidates James K. Polk and George M. Dallas. The Loco Focos are portrayed as ragged Irishmen, carrying the two candidates on... More

Port of Galveston [Texas] - Public domain book illustration, Library o...

Illus. in: The Illustrated London News, 1845 Jan. 4. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.

[Title page and last page of Strange Phenomena of New England in the 1...

Title page. Illus. in: Strange Phenomena of New England in the 17th Century including the "Salem Witchcraft, 1692", from the writing of Cotton Mather, New York, 1846, title page. This record contains unverified... More

The bandits bride vide Herald May 5th 1847

Lith. & pub. by H.R. Robinson 142 Nassau St. N. York. Title appears as it is written on the item. Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

Entrance to Kanesville or Council Bluffs; Iowa, 1847?

Engraving by Chas. B. Hall. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Iowa, Council Bluffs; Mormons; Shelf.

[The chief's daughter] / J. G. Chapman, del. ; Rawdon, Wright & Hatch...

Native woman standing in stream, clutching her clothes to her breast. Illus. in: The Evergreen. Philadelphia : Carey and Hart, 1847, title page. Published in: American women : a Library of Congress guide for th... More

Music of the Ethiopian Serenaders

Music cover showing Pell playing bones, Harrington and White playing banjos, Stanwood playing accordian, and Germon playing tambourine. LOT subdivision subject: Negro Minstrels. Title and other information tran... More

[Animal and plant cells drawn to show their similar nature and origin]...

Illus. in: Microscopical researches into the accordance in the structure and growth of animals and plants / Theodor Schwann. London : Sydenham Society, 1847. Published in: The tradition of science / Leonard C. ... More

Who says gas? Or the Democratic b-hoy

A pro-Democrat satire, pitting Democratic candidate Lewis Cass against Whig nominee Zachary Taylor in a bout for the presidency. Cass (center) is the obvious favorite. He wears the stovepipe hat, boots, bold pl... More

The modern Gilpins. Love's labor lost

A parody of Democratic politics in the months preceding the party's 1848 national convention. Specifically, the artist ridicules the rivalry within the party between Free Soil or anti-slavery interests, which u... More

Grand set to between rough and ready and Genal. Gas

Zachary Taylor and Lewis Cass engage in a bout of fisticuffs in their battle for the presidency in 1848. Taylor, clearly getting the better of his opponent, seizes Cass by the lapels saying, "A little more gra... More

Self-inflating pillow. Book illustration from Library of Congress

American general Gideon J. Pillow's self-promoting attempts to discredit Mexican War commander Gen. Winfield Scott are ridiculed in this portrayal of Scott puncturing "Polk's Patent" pillow. Pillow's efforts we... More

[Broadside concerning repeal of Stamp Act, printed in Boston, May 16, ...

Reference copy may be in 4412 AB. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: US Hist.; Shelf.

The Virgin and Child on a grassy bench

Engraving by Albrecht Dürer, 1471-1528. Meder 31; Hollstein 31; Bartsch 34; Panofsky 141. Signed with monogram and dated on plate. Coll. mark on vereso: Hubbard (Lugt. suppl. 1267b). Hubbard Collection. This re... More

[Library of Congress Catalog, no. 5; invoice of 1800]

Shows pages 2 and 3 with lists of books and prices. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.

[Title page of Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits, ..., by In...

Illus. in: Increase Mather, Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits, ..., 1693, title page. LC-USZ62-8905 is neg. of title page and frontispiece portrait. This record contains unverified, old data from capt... More

"Spiritual milk for American babes, drawn out of the breasts of both T...

Questions & answers. Illus. in: The New England Primer Improved, 1773. Reference copy may be in LOT 7003. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Alphabets; Primers; Shelf.

Pope Gregory XIII. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Engraving by Domenico Pellegrino Tibaldi. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Artists wks.; BI; Shelf.

General Burgoyne / Pollard sc., Head and Shoulders Portrait

General John Burgoyne, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left; in medallion. Engraved for Murray's History of the American War. Illus. in: An impartial history of the present war in America; containing an acc... More

St. Jerome interrupting his work of translating the Hebrew and Greek t...

Woodcut by Durer. Illus. in: St. Jerome's Letters (Rare Book Division - Thatcher Collection). Ref. copy may be in LOT 4966. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.

Liberty, the fair maid of Kansas--in the hands of the "border ruffians...

A bitter indictment of the Democratic administration's responsibility for violence and bloodshed in Kansas in the wake of the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act. (See also "Forcing Slavery Down the Throat of a Freesoiler... More

Temple block, with tabernacle, Salt Lake City

Illus. in: Harper's Weekly, 1857 July 11. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.

Special notice. Royal Mail Through Line

Advertisement for Royal Mail Steamer travel, Canada. Reference copy may be in LOT 4426 C. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Postal service Delivery Boat and shi... More

The grand trunk railway is the only cheap, direct & expeditious route ...

Woodcut printed by James Potts. Reference copy may be in LOT 4429 C. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Broadsides; Rare Bk. Div.; Railroads Ads.; PI Works; Shelf.

Palais sur le Tschar-Bag a Hispahan

Lithograph drawn from nature & lith. by Jules Laurens. Illus. in: Voyage en tùrquie... (Paris 1859) by Xavier Hommaire de Hell, plate 99. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption car... More

El buitre carnivoro - Cartoon illustration, public domain image.

Man attacking monstrous bird with pitchfork; large crowd watches in background. Etching by Goya. Illus. in: Los Desastres de la Guerra..., Madrid,1863, p. 76. Reference copy may be in LOT 4250. This record cont... More

"The Ithaca horse rake." Manufactured by Titus & Bostwick, Ithaca, N.Y...

Advertisement showing man with horse and rake. Reference copy may be in LOT 4434 F. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: BI Business; NY Ithaca; Ads. Misc.; Farm m... More

Thiers et Barthélemy St Hilaire

Drawing of Adolphe Thiers walking down a road by a wall. Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire appears as his shadow on the wall. Inscribed, lower left: 1876 Chateau des Tours. No copyright information found with item... More

Battle of Lake Erie / painted by W.H. Powell.

Print shows Admiral Oliver Hazard Perry in a rowboat while being transferred from the U.S. Brig Lawrence to the U.S. Brig Niagara. Caption: "If a victory is to be gained, I'll gain it" [Oliver H. Perry]. Ente... More

Oliver introduces Skippy to the Hydra-headed monster

Gift; Mrs. Peter Grant; 1940; (DLC/PP-1940:008). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Life magazine.

[Pheasant flying against trees]

Title devised by cataloger. No accession number. No publication information. Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress).

[Coachman forming initial letter "W"]

Title devised by cataloger. Gift; Mrs. Peter Grant; 1940; (DLC/PP-1940:008). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Life magazine.

Threw her arms round the neck of her father

No publication information. Gift; Mrs. Peter Grant; 1940; (DLC/PP-1940:008). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress).

[On shipboard]. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Title from handwritten notation on mat. No publication information. (DLC/PP-1936:0065). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress).

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