University of Exeter Special Collections
@exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
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
Find out more! ➡️ libguides.exeter.ac.uk/archives
Pinned
LibGuides: Visiting Heritage Collections: Reading Room booking form
LibGuides: Visiting Heritage Collections: Reading Room booking form
libguides.exeter.ac.uk
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 ⬇️
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 ⬇️
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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 🐈
PS - no, we unfortunately don't have a library cat in residence 🐈
December 3, 2025 at 9:45 AM
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 🐈
PS - no, we unfortunately don't have a library cat in residence 🐈
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
Two of the most documented pets in our archives are Causley's cat, Rupert, and Clemo's Pomeranian, Spark!
#EYAPets #Archives #ExploreYourArchive
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
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
Two of the most documented pets in our archives are Causley's cat, Rupert, and Clemo's Pomeranian, Spark!
#EYAPets #Archives #ExploreYourArchive
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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)
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
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)
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)
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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.
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
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.
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.
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
📽️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
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
📽️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
📣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
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
📣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
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
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! 👻
As tape deteriorates, it can discolour, become brittle, lose its adhesive strength, and leave a residue stain.
Enough to give an archivist nightmares! 👻
December 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
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! 👻
As tape deteriorates, it can discolour, become brittle, lose its adhesive strength, and leave a residue stain.
Enough to give an archivist nightmares! 👻
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
STA 2Fa 2/42
December 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
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
STA 2Fa 2/42
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)
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)
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
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)
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)
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
📘 15 Jan
📘 1pm - 3pm
📘 Free drop-in session
bit.ly/in-focus-stories
December 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
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
📘 15 Jan
📘 1pm - 3pm
📘 Free drop-in session
bit.ly/in-focus-stories
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
📷 Archive references ML1 and PSP3
December 2, 2025 at 9:28 AM
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
📷 Archive references ML1 and PSP3
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
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
👏👏👏
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
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
Ref. BA/L/2 © University of Surrey Archives & Special Collections
#EYASilence
December 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
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
Ref. BA/L/2 © University of Surrey Archives & Special Collections
#EYASilence
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
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
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
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
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
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
November 30, 2025 at 9:30 AM
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
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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.
December 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM
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.
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
#UKDHM
November 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
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
#UKDHM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
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.
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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 🗓️
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 🗓️
November 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM
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 🗓️
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 🗓️
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
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
November 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
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
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
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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?
“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?
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.
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.
November 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
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?
“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?
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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...
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
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...
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...
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
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
November 27, 2025 at 5:56 PM
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
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
#HappyNationalIllustrationDay2025
To celebrate, we’re uncovering the creative process behind E.H. Shepard’s illustrations for Everybody’s Pepys (1926) and Everybody’s Boswell (1930). Read more on our blog:
blogs.surrey.ac.uk/archives/202...
📷 ST Sketchbook 38, © The Trustees of The Shepard Trust
To celebrate, we’re uncovering the creative process behind E.H. Shepard’s illustrations for Everybody’s Pepys (1926) and Everybody’s Boswell (1930). Read more on our blog:
blogs.surrey.ac.uk/archives/202...
📷 ST Sketchbook 38, © The Trustees of The Shepard Trust
November 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
#HappyNationalIllustrationDay2025
To celebrate, we’re uncovering the creative process behind E.H. Shepard’s illustrations for Everybody’s Pepys (1926) and Everybody’s Boswell (1930). Read more on our blog:
blogs.surrey.ac.uk/archives/202...
📷 ST Sketchbook 38, © The Trustees of The Shepard Trust
To celebrate, we’re uncovering the creative process behind E.H. Shepard’s illustrations for Everybody’s Pepys (1926) and Everybody’s Boswell (1930). Read more on our blog:
blogs.surrey.ac.uk/archives/202...
📷 ST Sketchbook 38, © The Trustees of The Shepard Trust