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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 13h

This lecture will feature discussion of the history and the production of the Mainz Catholicon (1460), including Needham's discovery that the book was printed from two-line castings, which continues to incite vigorous discussion in the field. RBML’s copy of the 1469 edition will also be on display.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 13h

Join us on Thursday, October 23 from 3-5 pm for a talk by Scheide Librarian Emeritus Paul S. Needham (Princeton University), titled "Gutenberg's Second Invention: The 1460 Mainz Catholicon."

All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Graphic with an image of the Catholicon partially enlarged by a magnifying glass and text: "The RBML presents a talk by Paul Needham. Gutenberg's Second Invention: The 1460 Mainz Catholicon. Thursday, October 23, 3-5pm in Main Library Room 346. More than 500 years after its printing, the production details of the Catholicon are still a much debated topic in incunabula research. Come learn about the most recently discovered clues with the subject's preeminent scholar, Paul Needham!"

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 1d

We also have a number if items that include view-master reels, first introduced in 1939, that range from early 20th century images to modern day artists' books that utilize the format.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 1d

We have a number of stereoscopic material in our collection! However, while stereoscopic images were popularized in the mid-19th century, the oldest item in our collection that contains these types of images is from circa 1909: "Lucerne Through the Stereoscope" (Shelfmark: 914.94 Em3ℓ).

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 6d

Shelfmarks:
Collins 1478 - Tribute to the Arts by Robert Massman (1984)
MINI01729 - Perspective peepshow Depicting a Scene in a Library by Martin Engelbrecht (1730-50)
Collins 1318 - Moby Dick Meets the Pequod by Robert Massman (1968)

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 6d

The leaves can be spaced out with accordion-like folded paper or by using a gukkasten, a peepshow viewing box that individual sheets can slide into.

The books pictured are classified as mini books, meaning they are less than three inches in height!

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 6d

What do you get when you cross a peepshow with a petite book? A peti-pshow!

A peepshow, or tunnel book, is a book format that spaces multiple illustrated leaves apart from one another to create an illusion of depth when viewed through a front opening.

A peepshow book depicting a conductor and an orchestra.

A peepshow book depicting people in a library.

A peepshow book depicting a whale in front of a ship.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 13d

Pictured here are costume and set renderings of Part III, Scene 3 for a 1954 production of Romeo and Juliet by The Shakespeare Club of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Inventory Numbers:
Costume painting - 540427_081
Set painting - 540427_166
Set photo - 540427_189

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 13d

This collection contains costume plates, scene design renderings, production plans, notes, photos, and artifacts by the Motley Group, a London-based theater design firm that operated from 1932 to 1976.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 13d

Happy American Archives Month!

To celebrate, we're highlighting one of our archival collections: the Motley Collection of Theatre and Costume Design. An added perk? It's digitized: go.library.illinois.edu/MotleyDigita...

Gouache painting of Juliet kneeling over Romeo's body while holding a dagger.

Gouache painting of a darkened set, labeled "Part III Sc 3."

Photo of a theatre set with stairs and an elevated platform.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 21d

Shelfmarks:
Chirologia, or, The naturall language of the hand … whereunto is added Chironomia, or, The art of manuall rhetoricke (1644) - 808.5 B87c and IUA02077

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 21d

The International Day of Sign Languages celebrates the linguistic identities of the Deaf community and all who use sign language. John Bulwer was the first person in Britain to advocate for the education of deaf people. His 1644 book explores the communicative and rhetorical power of hand gestures.

An engraved illustration showing a grid of 24 different hand gestures, labeled with their meaning in Latin.

Engraved frontispiece that includes tow classical figures, hand gestures, and an extended palm with a speaking face.

Engraved frontispiece featuring several classical orators using various hand gestures for rhetorical purposes.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 26d

Friendly reminder that tomorrow(!!!), RBML is hosting a reception to ring in our new exhibit, "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho," from 3-5 pm.

Until then, please enjoy this timelapse video of our exhibit staff hard at work. 💪

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Sep 9

Join us on Friday, September 19, from 3-5 pm for a reception to open our new exhibit, "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho." This event will feature live dance and spoken word performances, as well as a look at the exhibit!

All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Graphic with text: "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. 3-5 pm in the RBML. Opening reception featuring live dance and spoken word performances."

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Reposted by University of Illinois RBML

Illinois Digitization Services @illinoisdigi.bsky.social · Sep 8

Pepperoni pizza, anyone?

We're not quite sure why, but this week's #MarbledMonday is making us feel a bit hungry!

Whet your appetite for knowledge with Das erste Buch für Kinder, die gern bald lesen lernen wollen from @illinoisrbml.bsky.social: go.library.illinois.edu/Marbled1810

Front cover of Das erste Buch für Kinder featuring a red and orange marbled pattern

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Sep 3

Shelfmark:
Clay tablet with Sumerian cuneiform script - Pre-1650 MS 0272

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Sep 3

This clay tablet (circa 2200 BCE) is a temple record found near the ruined city of Jokha (now Umma), located in modern-day Iraq. The text is written in cuneiform, a script created by the Sumerian people that involved pressing the tip of a reed stylus into soft clay to create wedge-shaped characters.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Sep 3

Visitors often ask: "What's the oldest item you have at RBML?" To which we answer: "A cuneiform tablet!"

Pictured with our tablet are examples of old and new housing, one keeping the tablet safe for the last 100 years or so, and the other supporting its preservation for even more years to come!

Sumerian cuneiform tablet in a custom enclosure.

Sumerian cuneiform tablet and its new housing (top) and former housing (bottom).

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Aug 30

Shelfmark:
"What sort of union is the I.W.W. asking you to build?" - IUB02625

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Aug 30

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is a Chicago-based labor union established in 1905 with the goal to create "one big union" of workers across industries. This pamphlet, created in the 1930s, offers many examples of ways its readers can "act union."

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Aug 30

Established as a national holiday in 1894, Labor Day is celebrated each year in September to honor the achievements of workers in the United States.

RBML will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of the holiday and will resume our regular hours on Tuesday, September 2.

Front page of a pamphlet distributed by the IWW with text, titled "Let's Act Union: What Sort of Union is the I.W.W. Asking You to Build?"

Page two of a pamphlet distributed by the IWW with text.

Page three of a pamphlet distributed by the IWW with text, including the headings "Who May Join?" and "Who Belongs Now?" and a form for requesting membership or more information.

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Reposted by University of Illinois RBML

Illinois Digitization Services @illinoisdigi.bsky.social · Aug 25

Happy first day of classes, Illini!

Get back to basics with this 1552 Abcedarium Anglico-Latinum ; protyrunculis Richardo Huloeto exscriptore from @illinoisrbml.bsky.social

Title page of Abcedarium Anglico-Latinum

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Aug 26

Shelfmarks:
Dogs and How to Draw Them (1944) - S.743 H67D

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Aug 26

Today is International Dog Day, so we're celebrating by learning how to draw some cute canine friends. Consider trying one out (or sketching your own pet) and tag us in your drawing(s)! 🐶

Book open to a page titled "The Scottish Terrier."

Book open to pages that give step-by-step instructions on how to draw a simple Scottish Terrier.

Book open to a page titled "The English Bulldog."

Book open to pages that give step-by-step instructions on how to draw a simple English Bulldog.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · Aug 20

Shelfmarks (H.G. Wells Papers):
H.G. and Catherine Wells riding a tandem bicycle, undated - Picshuas Box 1
Letter to Fred J. Wells, 15 May 1896(?) - W-W-25
Letter to Fred J. Wells, undated - W-W-25

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