Copyright ABCs – ‘The Scots Musical Museum’
The Lighting the Past team share their highlights from the ‘M’ section of the Copyright Deposit Collection. You can see the previous posts in the… Read More »Copyright ABCs – ‘The Scots Musical Museum’
18th century
Friends for Life: letters home from an 18th century St Andrews alumnus
Ro Spankie, Principal Lecturer, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Westminster, shares with us her recent search to find out about her… Read More »Friends for Life: letters home from an 18th century St Andrews alumnus
Where we find new old books, chapter 4: William Creech and a new first edition of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations
Once again external funding for a cataloguing project (the Henderson Bequest) has thrown into the light another hidden gem in the Special Collections of the… Read More »Where we find new old books, chapter 4: William Creech and a new first edition of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations
Considerations Upon the Union… “from the will and humour of the people”
As we approach the fevered climax of the Scottish independence referendum, we thought it would be interesting to compare this situation with the debate surrounding… Read More »Considerations Upon the Union… “from the will and humour of the people”
52 WEEKS OF HISTORICAL HOW-TO’S, WEEK 37: How to improve your mind …
There is a scene early in Mansfield Park (1814) where Maria and Julia Bertram, then aged thirteen and twelve, deplore the ignorance of their slightly… Read More »52 WEEKS OF HISTORICAL HOW-TO’S, WEEK 37: How to improve your mind …
TREASURES OF THE LIBRARY PODCAST: Moira Mackenzie describes the Bustan of Sa’di
In the summer of 2013, the University Library set out to capture the reactions of academic and library staff when encountering their favourite items from the… Read More »TREASURES OF THE LIBRARY PODCAST: Moira Mackenzie describes the Bustan of Sa’di
52 Weeks of Historical How-To’s, Week 2: Mrs Edwards’s cook book
We bought this recipe book at auction recently, and it arrived with no provenance information. However, from the names and places mentioned, I have worked… Read More »52 Weeks of Historical How-To’s, Week 2: Mrs Edwards’s cook book
52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 51: the plates of Diderot & d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie (1751-1772)
This final rare book entry for our Inspiring Illustrations thread has inspired generations of artists, merchants, craftsmen and businessmen. We have chosen the 11 volumes… Read More »52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 51: the plates of Diderot & d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie (1751-1772)
52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 50: the Book of Wonders
We have always referred to this manuscript (St Andrews ms32(o)) as the ‘book of wonders’ and indeed wondered what it was all about as it is… Read More »52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 50: the Book of Wonders
52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 45: Campi Phlegraei (1776-1779)—Hamilton’s “Fields of Flame”
Since my return to this country, in January 1773, I have continued with aſſiduity my obſervations upon Mount Veſuvius, and the many ancient Volcanick productions… Read More »52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 45: Campi Phlegraei (1776-1779)—Hamilton’s “Fields of Flame”
April Fools: FORGERIES, FAKES AND FALSEHOODS
In this week of April Fools pranks (or ‘hunting the gowks’ here in Scotland), I’ve been investigating forgeries, fakes and falsehoods in our collections and… Read More »April Fools: FORGERIES, FAKES AND FALSEHOODS
52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 38: Angels, Madonnas and Pilgrims — an Ethiopian treasure
These vibrant illustrations of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and angels come from an Ethiopian psalter purchased for Special Collections last summer. Ethiopia is one… Read More »52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 38: Angels, Madonnas and Pilgrims — an Ethiopian treasure