University of Exeter Special Collections
LightNews LightNews
banner
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
University of Exeter Special Collections
@exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
5.1K followers 980 following 570 posts
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
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
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: Visiting Heritage Collections: Reading Room booking form
libguides.exeter.ac.uk
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
bdcmuseum.bsky.social
Coming up on Monday! Let us know your favourite Christmas films and quotes here: forms.office.com/e/MdcqnRSbcR and it will feature on our very special cinema-themed tree in the upper gallery! 🎄
December 3, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
nmbluk.bsky.social
For #EYAPets we have - cat paw prints on a dusty shelf! Not sure if this is what @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social had in mind but we think they're cute. And that is absolutely the reason we haven't dusted the shelf....
PS - no, we unfortunately don't have a library cat in residence 🐈
A colour photograph of a set of nine cat paw prints on a dust covered green shelf
December 3, 2025 at 9:45 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
The Cornish poets and writers Charles Causley and Jack Clemo were close friends - and they also loved their pets!

Two of the most documented pets in our archives are Causley's cat, Rupert, and Clemo's Pomeranian, Spark!

#EYAPets #Archives #ExploreYourArchive
A ginger tabby lying comfortably on Charles Causley's (face not visible) lap. Cropped image from a black photograph album page showing a black and white photograph of Jack Clemo leaning over a light-coloured Pomeranian in the foreground. The dog looks majestic, but his eyes look slightly alarmed! In the background is the cottage Goonamarris. The typed caption underneath reads: 'JACK CLEMO WITH SPARK Goonamarris August 25, 1950'. Cropped image from a black photograph album page showing a black and white photograph (slightly blurry) of a light-coloured Pomeranian. He looks very regal and the wind is billowing through his fur! The typed caption underneath reads: '"SPARK" August 25, 1950'. Colour photograph of a large ginger tabby cat lying in bright sunshine in a flowerbed. His tail is hooked around a small plant. He is looking towards the photographer with his eyes half closed.
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exeterlibrary.bsky.social
ℹ️ Yesterday saw the launch of Devon County Council’s 12-week consultation into the future of the library service in the county.

This is your chance to have a say about their proposed changes through the survey here: devonlibraries.commo... (look for the "next" button in the bottom right corner)
December 2, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
dexinst.bsky.social
Who is this woman, proudly wielding a Christmas pudding?

Find out by reading our Book of the Month blog for December: devonandexeterinstitution.org/whats-in-a-p...

You can also pick up Christmas cards featuring this image from our Front Desk.
December 2, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
archives-unisurrey.bsky.social
Today's #ExploreYourArchive theme is Pets… so we've dug out this footage of movement theorist Rudolf Laban's pet cat, Ico! 🐈‍⬛

📽️These clips are taken from amateur film recordings within the Rudolf Laban Archive [L/J uncat.].

🔗 See our website for more details on our Laban collections.

#EYAPets
December 3, 2025 at 8:59 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
📣Calling South-West writers📣
We’re partnering with #ExeterNorthcott Theatre to award one of our 2026 #RonaldDuncanStipends through their Elevate Writers script window
Closing 20 Dec [link in image⬇️]

More on stipends: libguides.exeter.ac.uk/archives/Dun...
🎭 #Playwriting 🎭 #Theatre
Elevate Writers - Exeter Northcott Theatre
We bring people together to create and share extraordinary experiences. Explore: Elevate Writers
exeternorthcott.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
A warning from the past: if there is anything you would like to preserve long-term in good condition, please don't stick tape on it!

As tape deteriorates, it can discolour, become brittle, lose its adhesive strength, and leave a residue stain.

Enough to give an archivist nightmares! 👻
A pile of discoloured tape strips on the right, next to a piece of paper on the left with an orange residue stain.
December 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
uofglasgowasc.bsky.social
Whilst celebrating the collections, it's important to recognise histories that are underrepresented in archives. #EYASilence is an opportunity to highlight work taking place to challenge these silences, such as Ashanti Harris's project which consulted the Scottish Theatre Archive.

STA 2Fa 2/42
December 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
The Gale & Morant Family Plantation Records provide powerful evidence of the enslavement of people of African and Caribbean descent in Jamaica.

As the papers were created by the plantation owners and managers, the voices of the enslaved people are silent.

📷 EUL MS 44

#EYASilence #Archives (1/2)
Four documents from the Gale and Morant family papers and plantation records, laid out in a fan shape, which include accounts, lists and invoices.
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exetercathedral.bsky.social
This January, discover the timeless tradition of storytelling in the collections of the Cathedral Library and Archives, from creation accounts to tales of medieval pilgrimages, saints’ lives and daring quests for the Holy Grail.

📘 15 Jan
📘 1pm - 3pm
📘 Free drop-in session

bit.ly/in-focus-stories
December 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
nmbluk.bsky.social
We've selected this page of verse for #EYASilence. Written, most likely, by GM Spooner, there are a few mentions of the need for quiet in the library. We can tell you that times have changed since 1953!

📷 Archive references ML1 and PSP3
A typed library notice of five paragraphs that informs the reader of the inability of marine biologists to use the library, along with information on how to properly use it
December 2, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
bdcmuseum.bsky.social
We were delighted to welcome Harriet Richards to the #museum last week. As a child Harriet had an important role in Bill Douglas' 'Comrades', playing Charity Stansfield. Harriet brought her family in & it was great to hear her very warm memories of the film & working with Bill. #museumsky #cinemasky
December 1, 2025 at 2:54 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
👏👏👏
dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social DMU Archives and Rare Books @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social · 1d
Shh… Shh… It’s oh so quiet… Or is it? From collaborative corners & gaps in collections. Find out what #EYASilence in the archives really means for #ExploreYourArchive Day 4. @arascot.bsky.social @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social #archives @dmu.ac.uk @librarydmu.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
archives-unisurrey.bsky.social
Compared to the relaxed rules and 24/7 opening enjoyed here @surreylib.bsky.social, the library rules from our predecessor Battersea Polytechnic in 1916 included not taking the inkpots and silence in the Reading Room! 🤫

Ref. BA/L/2 © University of Surrey Archives & Special Collections

#EYASilence
A battered and dog-eared piece of card with 'Battersea Polytechnic Library', and the Rules for the Reading Room and Library. The rules include not removing anything - from inkpots and blotting paper to newspapers and magazines, and also not leaving anything either - as well as rule number 6 - 'Silence is to be observed in the Reading Room'.
December 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Did you know the Syon Abbey Collection has the longest date range of any of our collections? Items date from the early 15th century to the 21st century!

This book of hours dates to c 1430s and includes a prayer for Syon Abbey's founder, Henry V.

📷 EUL MS 262/2

#ExploreYourArchive #EYAMedieval
Cropped image of an illuminated folio in a medieval manuscript. It includes a floral border, decorated in blue, green, orange, pink and gold leaf, and text in red and black ink. A large historiated initial contains an image of two men at an altar, with one holding a red book.
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
nmbluk.bsky.social
Today it's #EYABeauty and our Library Assistant has picked one of her favourite images - an illustration of the polychaete worm Epigamia alexandri, by Elsie Sexton. Elsie was based @thembauk.bsky.social and was highly regarded for her research and scientific illustrations
A photograph of a colour illustration of the head of an orange coloured polychaete worm Epigamia alexandri
November 30, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
nmbluk.bsky.social
OK, so we've had to take a bit of creative license for #EYAMedieval as 1 - this book is in our rare book collection not main archive, and 2 - it's not technically medieval (it was printed in 1554) but it's the closest we could get! It is one of the first systematic studies of marine fish though.
A close up colour photograph of the pages of book on marine fish. The text is in latin and there are two illustrations of sharks -- one on each of the two pages in the image A colour photograph of the title page of a book. The name of the author is given as Gulielmi Rondeletii and the title of the book is Libri de piscibus marinis. The publishing date is printed in Roman numerals as MDLIIII
December 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exeterunilib.bsky.social
It's UK Disability History Month! Don't forget to explore our Disability and Inclusion guide to discover a range of digital and on-campus resources, including fiction, non-fiction, and audio-visual material: bit.ly/ExeterUniLibUKDHM
#UKDHM
A screenshot of the Library Disability and Inclusion LibGuide on a yellow background with a grey stripe across the top with UK Disability History Month 2025 written on it in yellow type and at the bottom in black type: ‘bit.ly/ExeterUniLibUKDHM’.
November 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
kresenkernow.bsky.social
As part of the ‘Pobel ha Leow – People and Places’ exhibition, we’re showcasing a remarkable volume from the Cornwall County Constabulary. This wartime diary documents air raids across Cornwall during the Second World War, detailing bomb types, target sites and the impact on local communities.
November 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exeterunilib.bsky.social
Library events next week:

Dissertations: Critical Reading & Writing
Skills Drop-Ins/Library Research Cafés
Legal Research Drop-Ins
Business School Library Research Drop-ins

See more & book: bit.ly/ExeterUniLibEvent 🗓️
White text at the top says, 'Library training events for PGTs, PGRs & academic staff A dark green background' and at the bottom says, 'Check the details and booking requirements here: bit.ly/ExeterUniLibEvent'. A screenshot of the Library events calendar is in the centre with a bright green border and 'NEXT WEEK' in white capital letters above it. A bright green graphic of a calendar is in the top left-hand corner.
November 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the trees, for this is their special week! 🌲

One of our favourite trees in the collections is this vibrant illustration (and poem!) by the writer and poet, Ronald Duncan.

📷 EUL MS 397/2/2/2

#NationalTreeWeek #NationalIllustrationDay #Archives
Painting of a tree with a grey trunk and leaves of green, red, purple and orange. Next to the tree is a poem: 'Pheasants feathers of amethyst, Magenta, crimson, burnt sienna & brown, Leaf the maple's branches with a mauve mantle, As it stands sentinel to the undying Fall.' Ronald Duncan's signature and the date '9 Sept - 77' are noted in the bottom right hand corner.
November 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
oliverhouse.bsky.social
A superb blog here on Jack Clemo @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social

“The conkers from Vallombrosa Woods, shown in the bottom shelf of the exhibition, were stored in a heart-shaped box as a gift to Clemo’s wife.”

I’ve often kept and given conkers as gifts too. I wonder if this is a common practice?
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 6d
Student volunteer, Ted, has written a fantastic new blog post to accompany his exhibition on the Cornish poet & writer, Jack Clemo: 'Exhibition of a Rebel'.

Read it here! ➡️ specialcollections.exeter.ac.uk/2025/11/26/j...

This exhibition is free for all to visit on Level -1 of the Forum Library.
Display case with three shelves, featuring a range of items, including photographs, letters, documents, books, a small bust, and even a box with two conkers!
November 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
rammuseum.bsky.social
Earlier this year RAMM purchased a 1,130 year old silver penny dating to the reign of Alfred the Great 🪙

Join us on 15 Jan for an online talk exploring why the coin is so important to Exeter’s existence & how, after a 150 year chase, it finally came home to Exeter rammuseum.org.uk/whats-on/dis...
Discover Exeter's King Alfred the Great Penny - RAMM
In May 2025 RAMM purchased a 1,130 year old Saxon silver penny dating to the reign of King Alfred the Great. It's only a small coin, about the size of a modern 20p, but it is hugely important to the h...
rammuseum.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
nmbluk.bsky.social
We’re back finding another tricky taxon in the library. We have this lovely illustration of the grey triggerfish (aka filefish) from Couch’s ‘A History of the Fishes of the British Islands’, 1865. The first recording of this species in the UK was August 1827
A colour illustration of the side view of a grey triggerfish. The legend on the bottom of the page says filefish A typed page describing the morphology and distribution of the filefish Balistes capriscus
November 27, 2025 at 5:56 PM