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University of Exeter Special Collections

@exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social

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Join us in exploring the University of Exeter Library's Special Collections, which include archives, manuscripts, rare books and maps. There's something for everyone, and everyone is welcome. Find out more! ➡️ libguides.exeter.ac.uk/archives

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · Mar 26

The collections are available for everyone to access for research or enjoyment in our Reading Room!

When visiting us, please:
🗓️ Book in advance
🧼 Wash your hands with soap and water
✏️ Bring a pencil or electronic device (no pens!)

Book your visit here ⬇️

LibGuides: Visiting Heritage Collections: Reading Room booking form

libguides.exeter.ac.uk

Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum @bdcmuseum.bsky.social · 6h

There's still time to apply for a Research Stipend 2025-6 - for #international & #UK-based #scholars, researchers & #practitioners to #research using our collections on #cinema & moving image #history. For more information & to apply, visit: tinyurl.com/54wvy2du
#researchsky #filmsky #musueumsky

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 35m

This guidance is in line with other archives, including The National Archives. You can find guidance from the National Archives on wearing gloves here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-ro...

Advice and guidance - The National Archives

Learn how we advise other archives, government departments and places of deposit how best to handle documents and mitigate any risks to records collections.

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 35m

In line with best practice guidelines, gloves are not recommended for handling most materials. Wearing gloves reduces sensitivity, making it harder to judge an item's condition & increasing the risk of accidental damage. Nitrile gloves are recommended for more vulnerable materials, like photographs.

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 7h

For more tips on handling archives and rare books (including the age old question: gloves or no gloves?), see our online guide! ⬇️

LibGuides: Special Collections: Handling Archives and Rare Books: Introduction

libguides.exeter.ac.uk

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 7h

Washing your hands with soap and water is important for many reasons - including for handling archives & rare books!

It can prevent the transfer of natural oils, moisture or dirt on to the materials. But make sure your hands are clean AND dry before getting started!

#GlobalHandwashingDay #Archives

Two clean, dry hands hold up a tiny book, bound in leather and fastened with a clasp. In the background are shelves of rare books.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum @bdcmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

Marking #BlackHistoryMonth by highlighting our Black Screen History display curated by Chloé Jarrett-Bell, which focuses on the presence and integration of Black people in #screenhistory from 1900 to the present day. 🎧Listen to Chloe's podcast here: tinyurl.com/mv5ka6ax #filmsky #museumsky

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Literature Works @literatureworks.bsky.social · 2d

This Saturday saw the prizegiving event for our Generation Flash Fiction competition at @exetercustomhouse.bsky.social. Thanks to all the winning and highly commended young writers for reading their work with such confidence, and to everyone who attended for supporting them – it was a great turnout.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 1d

What's the best dessert?

Sticky toffee pudding and custard is hard to beat, though my mum's sherry trifle might have something to say about that.

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 1d

On National Dessert Day, whether you're looking for recipes from the 1700s or the 1970s, we've got you covered!

📷 Reserve 640.4 NOT & Hypatia DOM/STO

#NationalDessertDay #DessertDay #RareBooks

Title page of 'The Cook's and Confectioner's Dictionary: Or, the Accomplish'd Housewife's Companion.', published in 1723.

Book cover of 'The Dessert Lovers' Cookbook' by Margaret Storm, published in 1971. The book cover features many different types of desserts.

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 1d

On National Dessert Day, whether you're looking for recipes from the 1700s or the 1970s, we've got you covered!

📷 Reserve 640.4 NOT & Hypatia DOM/STO

#NationalDessertDay #DessertDay #RareBooks

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

University of Exeter Library @exeterunilib.bsky.social · 2d

New Special Collections blog post!

Dr Beth Mills discusses her role as Digitisation Assistant on the Digital Archive of the Middle East (DAME) project at the University of Exeter: dame.exeter.ac.uk/en/2025/10/1...
@exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social

Digitising for DAME – Digital Archive of the Middle East

dame.exeter.ac.uk

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum @bdcmuseum.bsky.social · 2d

We were very sad to hear of the death of #dianekeaton. She was a completely unique presence on #screen for over 50 years & there are few #stars who excelled as much in both comedy & drama. Here is her life in her own words through her 2 autobiographies we hold in our collection #RIP #filmsky #cinema

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Penlee House Gallery & Museum @penleehousegallery.bsky.social · 2d

We’re delighted to share that Stanhope Forbes’s masterpiece The Seine Boat (1904) is once again on display at Penlee House!

On long-term loan, this stunning work captures the rhythm of Cornish life — the ‘seine’ net seen in the boat was used for catching pilchards.

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks to the MBA Library for the reminder that yesterday was World Algae Day!

These specimens of algae were collected in Plymouth and pressed in an album by Russel Harris in c late 1800s or early 1900s. Their vibrant colours last to the present day!

📷 EUL MS 278

#WorldAlgaeDay #Devon #Archives

Pressed fan-shaped red algae with branched blades

Pressed delicate red algae with intricate branches

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Devon and Exeter Institution @dexinst.bsky.social · 6d

Calling all university students!

How about this nineteenth-century dramatic photo album as #DissertationInspiration?

See this album and a number of other fascinating archives in person at our Dissertation Inspiration Drop In on Friday 24th October, 2-4pm.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Devon and Exeter Institution @dexinst.bsky.social · 5d

Meet the curator!

Wednesday 15th October. Drop in between 1-3pm.

Our new book display ‘Travelling through the library: Translated literature in the DEI’ has been curated by Richard Mansell, Senior Lecturer in Translation at the University of Exeter.

devonandexeterinstitution.org/meet-the-cur...

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Exeter Cathedral @exetercathedral.bsky.social · 5d

The ‘Devon in the 1920s’ festival has been running throughout the year, with events across the county. This week, our In Focus event was all about Exeter Cathedral in the 1920s.

Here are some stories that have come to the fore: www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/news-events/...

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

MBA Library @nmbluk.bsky.social · 3d

Time to celebrate our photosynthetic pals as today is #WorldAlgaeDay! You can find out more about the work @thembauk.bsky.social is doing to understand and protect our algal allies at buff.ly/grsdnhj

A collage of photographs of red seaweeds that have been pressed and preserved. There is a note in the top right corner that says happy world algae day

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Devon Family History Society @devonfhs.bsky.social · 2d

Today at 2pm UK time with @sogorg.bsky.social Free online event Researching in Devon, including a slot about what DFHS can do for you portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1...

Researching in Devon

FREE event Book a spot to watch live. No pre-booking required to view the recording, which will be available in the SoG Member area and on YouTube.

portal.sog.org.uk

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Digital Humanities Lab, Exeter @dhlabexeter.bsky.social · 6d

The DH Lab is excited to be collaborating with partners at National Archives, National Trust, Reading & Nottingham in a new £1.5m AHRC project to make available Henry VIII's Valor Ecclesiasticus. 'Rediscovering The Tudor Domesday' is led at Exeter by Prof James Clark with Co-Lead Dr Charlotte Tupman

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Digital Humanities Lab, Exeter @dhlabexeter.bsky.social · 6d

The DH Lab is very excited to be collaborating on this fascinating project alongside partners at @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy, @nationaltrust.org.uk, @uniofreading.bsky.social and @uniofnottingham.bsky.social

#Digital #Humanities #Exeter #DHLab #ExeterDH #Tudor #History #DigitalResearch #DH

The National Archives @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy · 9d

Snapshot of Tudor England in Henry VIII’s ‘Domesday’

The National Archives is helping make accessible a financial survey of the Church ordered by Henry VIII after his break with Rome. His inspectors counted 8,000 parish churches, 650 monasteries, 22 cathedrals and numerous chapels, chantries, colleges, schools, hospitals and poor houses as they travelled the length and breadth of England and Wales in 1535. […]

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

University of Exeter Library @exeterunilib.bsky.social · 5d

Check out your #BlackHistoryMonth Films & TV list via the Black History Reading List at libguides.exeter.ac.uk/BHM.

Browse & borrow from the Black History displays in Forum Library Foyer or opposite St Luke's Reception.

Got a suggestion for the list? Recommend titles via the LibGuide above! 💡

A promotional poster for Black History Month 2025: Film and TV, set against a green background. The title appears at the top, followed by a grid of twelve diverse film and TV stills. These include portraits and scenes such as a man in a white shirt, two boxers posing, a historic black-and-white protest photo, a man beside a colorful car, a person in an alleyway, a joyful indoor group, a thoughtful woman outdoors, a stage performer under dramatic lighting, a suited older man at a desk, a person gazing out a window, someone in glasses and a ceremonial hat, and a warm close-up smile. A URL at the bottom reads: bit.ly/ExeterUniLibBHMFilms.

Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

University of Exeter Library @exeterunilib.bsky.social · 5d

Events next week @ the Library

Citation & Synthesis in Academic Writing
Academic Reading & Notemaking
Research Cafés at St Luke's Library and Forum Library
UEBS Library Research Drop-ins
Advanced searching in Library Search
Legal Research Drop-in @ Amory

See more & book: bit.ly/ExeterUniLibEvent

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Lightbear Lane @lightbearlane.org · 4d

New art workshop on 15th October 🎨 A talk about how artists have historically responded to built heritage, followed by a sensory art workshop exploring St Nicholas Priory #Exeter: www.ticketsource.co.uk/lightbearlan... 🍂 @exeterlibrary.bsky.social @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social @exeterobserver.org

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Shriya Gautam (DPhil) @shriyagautam.bsky.social · 3d

On Speaking Archaeologically today we have Dr @suegreaney.bsky.social talking to us about @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social ’s Killerton excavations. Here’s more on this fascinating site from Devon:

youtu.be/WDxslaZbUaI?...

Discovering Columbjohn: The Killerton Excavations with Dr. Susan Greaney

YouTube video by Speaking Archaeologically

youtu.be

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you, that's so kind of you to say. We also always love to see what's going on at the Bishopsgate Institute, and we often recommend your collections to students here at the University!