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exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
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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exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 1d
Our collections of archives, maps and rare books are available for everyone to access for research, interest or enjoyment in the 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
exetercathedral.bsky.social
Thank you to Alex Toze for this stunning photo of Saturday’s moon over Exeter Cathedral 🌕

“Having lived with this view for 7 years now I have been hoping to catch this shot. It’s rare the moon rises where it did and it was just by chance I looked across the city and saw it.” – Alex Toze
January 7, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
kresenkernow.bsky.social
✨ Come behind-the-scenes at Kresen Kernow! ✨

Ever wondered how Cornwall’s historic records are cared for? Join us for a strongroom tour and uncover 850 years of stories!
January 7, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
tomsharperocks.bsky.social
Soon after the landslip occurred, geologists William and Mary Buckland, William Conybeare and Mary Anning were on the scene. William Buckland said it was worth coming 500 miles to see. Conybeare, the Bucklands & Exeter surveyor William Dawson published an illustrated account of the landslip in 1840.
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 10h
This beautiful colour plate shows rock formations on the East Devon coast caused by landslips between December 1839 & February 1840. Corn grew on the rocks that had fallen from the fields above, attracting fascinated visitors.

📷 Reserve 554.235 DAW/XX (1840)

#OldRockDay #Geology #RareBooks #Devon
Colour illustration of rock formations with wheat growing on them, entitled 'View in the Great Chasm of Axmouth Landslip.' Looking Westward. Reaping the Wheat 25th August 1840.' The illustration includes depictions of people in 19th century clothing.
January 7, 2026 at 10:19 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
This beautiful colour plate shows rock formations on the East Devon coast caused by landslips between December 1839 & February 1840. Corn grew on the rocks that had fallen from the fields above, attracting fascinated visitors.

📷 Reserve 554.235 DAW/XX (1840)

#OldRockDay #Geology #RareBooks #Devon
Colour illustration of rock formations with wheat growing on them, entitled 'View in the Great Chasm of Axmouth Landslip.' Looking Westward. Reaping the Wheat 25th August 1840.' The illustration includes depictions of people in 19th century clothing.
January 7, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
swfed.bsky.social
👞 New 2026 Event | Shoemakers’ Museum
📅 Thursday 29 January | 1–4pm
Step inside Somerset’s newest museum and enjoy behind-the-scenes insights from the museum team
⚠️ Limited places - Book now👉
www.tickettailor.com/events/south...
#MuseumEvents #ProfessionalDevelopment #SouthWestMuseums
January 6, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
penleehousegallery.bsky.social
Biddy Picard: Timeless Penwith closes this Saturday, 10 January.

Discover the life and work of Biddy Picard (1922–2019) — an artist whose unmistakable visions of West Cornwall have captivated audiences for decades.

penleehouse.org.uk/exhibition/b...
January 7, 2026 at 9:55 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Thanks for your support, as always, Laura!
January 6, 2026 at 3:17 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Our collections of archives, maps and rare books are available for everyone to access for research, interest or enjoyment in the 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
January 6, 2026 at 3:15 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce that we are starting off the new year with THREE new exhibitions in the Forum Library!

Level -1: Find out about life as an international student in Exeter in the 1930s 🎓

Level 0: Gallop back in time for the Year of the Horse 🐎

Level +1: Explore some Devonshire fungi 🍄
Green background with a Special Collections border at the top and bottom of the box. The white and light green text reads: 'NEW Special Collections exhibitions available to explore in the Forum Library!' In the centre of the box are three photographs of small exhibition cases (each with three or four shelves) featuring archival items and rare books. Under the three photographs is 'Level -1', 'Level 0', and 'Level +1'.
January 6, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
rammuseum.bsky.social
Opening 24 Jan 2026

Head to RAMM later this month to see this unique new exhibition of work by artist, writer, broadcaster, drag act, poet and social commentator Grayson Perry.

Tickets £6 online (students & MA Members £4, ArtFund £3, Under 19s and carers go free)

Book at ramm.uk/grayson-perry
a colourful tapestry showing a man and woman surrounded by people and buildings
January 6, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exeterlibrary.bsky.social
✍️ Looking to improve your creative writing this year?

Try 'The Writer's Circle' - a relaxed peer to peer feedback & support group open to writers of every genre & experience.

📚 Once a month on a Tues, 5–6pm - next ones 3 Feb, 3 March.
📍 Exeter Library
🎫 Sign up:
The Writer's Circle: Peer to Peer Feedback & Support
a relaxed monthly peer-to-peer feedback group open to writers of every genre and experience level
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exetercityoflit.bsky.social
If you're wanting to read more in 2026, look no further than our monthly trio of free #SilentBookClub sessions in Exeter! 📚

We meet three times a month for BYOB (bring your own book) communal silent reading sessions!

Find out more: www.exetercityofliterature.com/current-proj...
January 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exeterlibrary.bsky.social
✨THIS FRIDAY - ✉️ Unstampable: Postcards from the Still Possible✉️

Start off 2026 off by looking to the future in this playful, creative workshop where you’ll make “postcards” from the future you’d love to see.

🕥 FRI 05 DEC: 10.30am–12.30pm
📍 Exeter Library
🎟️ lizzyhumber.com/even...
Unstampable. Postcards from the still possible.
January 5, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Jumping into your 2026 reading challenge 📚

Shelfmark: MS. Bodl. 264

#MedievalMonday
Illuminated manuscript page featuring three robed figures all holding books and appear to be reading surrounded by a decorative border, with medieval script above.
January 5, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
nmbluk.bsky.social
Hello! Happy New Year! We're back open and ready to start a new chapter

Best wishes for 2026 everyone 😊
a colour photograph of someone holding open a book. The left hand page is all text, the right hand page has colour illustrations of a hermit crab in and out of its shell
January 5, 2026 at 10:03 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Today is National Bird Day! 🪶

One of our favourite items in the collections is a 19th century volume containing 76 watercolour illustrations by an unknown artist of birds local to Devon and Cornwall.

📷 EUL MS 23; digitised by @dhlabexeter.bsky.social

#NationalBirdDay #BirdDay #Archives
Opened book, showing two small watercolour illustrations of birds mounted to the right-hand page. Each illustration is annotated with the name of bird. The top illustration features a sparrowhawk and the bottom illustration features a grey wagtail. Opened book, showing two small watercolour illustrations of birds mounted to the right-hand page. Each illustration is annotated with the name of bird. The top illustration features a sanderling and the bottom illustration features a Northern lapwing (the annotation is difficult to read, possibly 'Sea Wader'?). Opened book, showing two small watercolour illustrations of birds mounted to the right-hand page. Each illustration is annotated with the name of bird. The top illustration features a bullfinch and the bottom illustration features a green finch. Opened book, showing two small watercolour illustrations of birds mounted to the right-hand page. Each illustration is annotated with the name of bird. The top illustration features a green woodpecker and the bottom illustration features a yellowhammer.
January 5, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
kresenkernow.bsky.social
Celebrating Cornwall’s communities 🌟 From June–Oct, voices from across Cornwall co-curated an exhibition on identity & belonging with disAbility Cornwall & CLEP, funded by @UKNatArchives. Explore the stories & reflections: kresenkernow.org/blog #CommunityArchives
Queen Elizabeth I royal charter, a book by Enys Tregarthen and American GI soldiers enjoying a show at Bodmin, in the Second World War; people walking down the corridor in the strongrooms at Kresen Kernow; people standing and sitting, looking at original documents.
January 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
We're back, rested and ready for more archive exploration in 2026!

As we balance precariously on the metaphorical penny farthing of time, here's hoping for a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year for us all - wobbling slightly but still upright and speeding onwards (fitted sportsing shorts optional)
19th century New Year's card with the caption 'A bright New Year'. It includes a picture of a man in sports gear (red fitted shorts and a stripy top) bent double on a penny farthing bicycle, speeding along a country road. A flattish green field is in the background with a town or city with smoky chimneys far in the distance. The precariously hurtling cyclist is described as 'Making the Pace'. This card is one of a series of cycling postcards and greetings cards in the archives of the Cyclists' Touring Club / Cycling UK (document reference: MSS.328/C/5/5/2).
January 2, 2026 at 11:11 AM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Spotlight programme 02/01/2026 6:30pm from about 15:25 minutes in.
January 2, 2026 at 7:52 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
📖 We recently explored some of the archives we hold of authors inspired by Dartmoor with @bbcspotlight.bsky.social

See more of the conversation on catch-up once tonight's Spotlight episode is available www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

#SouthWestWriters #Landscapes #Nature #Inspiration
Artists inspired 'thanks to access to Dartmoor'
After a landmark win for wild campers, the rugged landscape continues to be a focus for creatives.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 7:31 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Happy New Year and best wishes for 2026 from your Special Collections team!!

'Welcome, New Year! ...Bring with thee Peace, and Hope, and Health, Far better friends than State or Wealth... Come in New Year, come in, come in!'

📷 Victorian card: Betjeman Library 1957
Greeting card with a colourful illustrated border of flowers, a blue tit and a robin. In the centre is the printed text of a poem: 'Welcome, New Year! Come in New Year, come in, come in! We hail thee with a welcome cheer, and rise to greet thy advent here: Bring with thee Peace, and Hope, and Health, Far better friends than State or Wealth. There cannot be a thought of gloom, To meet thee in our cheerful room: Come in New Year, come in, come in! (Copyright) S.C. Hall'.
January 1, 2026 at 12:27 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens was first published on this day (19 December) in 1843.

Take a peek with us into this 1849 edition of 'A Christmas Carol', with beautiful illustrations by John Leech!

📽️ Reserve 828.8/DIC-13 IS

#OnThisDay #OTD #AChristmasCarol #CharlesDickens #RareBooks
December 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
penleehousegallery.bsky.social
Today’s artwork is Lamorna Quay by Frank Gascoigne Heath, capturing the quiet charm of this Cornish harbour. Derrick stands along the quay, while a small boat rests in the calm water, offering a peaceful glimpse into working maritime life.
December 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections
exeterlibrary.bsky.social
A few bonus additions to our events schedule:

✍️The Creative Writing Hub is back for a new term starting January 22nd.
🎶JAM-Tastic: An inclusive Music Group at Exeter Library (Jan, Feb, & March).
🌲 Treetop Circus - Puppet Show & Workshop (21 Feb)

#LoveLibraries
You can find all our events & links for booking here: https://linktr.ee/exeterlibraryevents
December 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
Some excellent fishy puns!
December 19, 2025 at 9:43 AM