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illinoisrbml.bsky.social
University of Illinois RBML
@illinoisrbml.bsky.social
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Rare Book & Manuscript Library at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Main Library 346 | https://www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/

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illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Shelfmarks:
Dorcas Leaves: A Manual of Domestic Arts (1884) - Tennyson 5707
Needle-Craft: Artistic & Practical (1889) - Tennyson 5705
Carl Sandburg papers (Asheville) - Box 40
January 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
January is National Hobby Month!

Get inspired for your personal hobby journey through hobbies represented in the RBML collection, including crochet, needlework, and photography.
Crochet pattern for a "Marguerite Medallion." Illustration of a woman engaging in needlework in a domestic setting. Photos of a family outdoors.
January 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Warm holiday wishes to you and yours! RBML will be closed for the holidays Wednesday, December 24–Friday, January 2. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year on Monday, January 5! ❄️
Graphic with text: "Happy holidays from the Rare Book & Manuscript Library."
December 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Shelfmarks:
Pride and prejudice (1813) by Jane Austen - 823 Au7p1813
Pride and prejudice (1940) by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin - Q. 791.4372 P933
Sense and sensibility (1811) by Jane Austen - 823 Au7s1811
Sense and sensibility (1995) by Emma Thompson - Q. Scripts 791.4372 Se591995
December 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
The 1940 film Pride and Prejudice, written by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin, invents an archery scene in which Elizabeth outshoots Darcy. Emma Thompson’s script for the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility emphasizes the emotional contrast between the two heroines, practical Elinor and romantic Marianne.
December 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Happy 250th birthday, Jane Austen!

This post features two Austen first editions in RBML’s holdings, Sense and Sensibility (1811) and Pride and Prejudice (1813), and two scripts for Austen film adaptations that show different facets of the original stories and include some creative liberties.
Title page for a Pride and Prejudice (1813) first edition, attributed to "the author of 'Sense and Sensibility'" Page from 1940 "Pride and Prejudice" film script in which Elizabeth and Darcy do archery. Elizabeth scores two bullseyes and an inner. Title page of an Sense and Sensibility (1811) first edition, attributed to "A Lady" Page 106 of 1995 Sense and Sensibility film script, featuring the line "Elinor finally explodes"
December 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us on Thursday, December 11 from 3-5 pm for some Reading Day relaxation! Celebrate the semester’s end with sweet and salty treats and some of our favorite winter-themed materials from the RBML vault. Make a button, color, puzzle, and leave with a live-printed linocut card!

All are welcome.
Graphic with text: "Reading Day Relaxation in the RBML. Color! Make a button! Snag a fresh lino print! Do a puzzle! Drink cider! Eat some treats! Thursday, Dec. 11. 3-5pm in RBML (346 Main Library)."
December 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, and will reopen on Monday, December 1. 🍂
Graphic with text: "RBML will be closed on Thursday, 11/27 and Friday, 11/28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen on Monday, 12/1."
November 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Shelfmark:
Latham's faulconry, or, The faulcons lure and cure (1658) - IUA07659
November 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
The note suggests that if the falconer fears any bruise, they may "add a little mummy" to a medicinal mixture. The claim at the time was that powdered mummified remains would stop internal bleeding. Who knew that the medieval practice of medical cannibalism extended to the animal husbandry field?
November 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Today's Collection Spotlight highlights a 1658 falconry manual by Simon Latham, an English gentleman falconer. Especially notable is the author's marginal note in this section on how to treat a hawk who is "imperfect and unclean within"...
Photo of book page titled "Latham's approved Medicines for all Hawks." Photo of page 111 highlighting the marginal text, which reads: "If you fear any bruise you may add a little mummy."
November 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Shelfmarks:
Life of Robert Stevenson, civil engineer (1878) - B. S837s (copy 2)
An account of the Bell Rock light house (1824) - Q. 627.9 St42a
“Robert Louis Stevenson" - Box 15, Richard Bentley records (01/01/MSS00007)
Treasure Island (1883) - 823 St47t1883
November 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
RLS made a name for the Stevensons in literature, but he came from a family that was already noteworthy in another field—maritime engineering. Beginning with his grandfather, the Stevenson family designed and built 97 manned lighthouses around the Scottish coast and islands between 1790 and 1940.
November 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson was born on this day in 1850. His best-known works include Treasure Island (1883) and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), both of which introduced themes and tropes that persist in popular culture today.
A page from a book featuring a black-and-white illustration titled "Bell Rock Lighthouse." The illustration shows a lighthouse partially obscured by tall waves, with the light shining brightly. Below the illustration is a handwritten poem titled "Pharos Loquitor" that reads: "Far in the bosom of the deep / O'er these wild shelves my watch I keep / A Ruddy gem of changeful light / Bound on the dusky brow of Night / The Seaman bids my lustre hail / And scorns to strike his timorous sail." A group of three black-and-white illustrations titled "Progress of the Bell Rock Works." Each illustration shows a partially constructed lighthouse with workers and pulley systems on it. The last illustration is a cross-section of the nearly completed lighthouse. The end of a handwritten letter with the signature "Yours very truly, Robert Louis Stevenson." An illustration of the island from "Treasure Island."
November 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us at the Spurlock Museum (600 S. Gregory St., Urbana) on Monday, November 17 from 6-8 pm for a lecture by Dr. Emily Hauser, titled "Finding the Female Voice in the Ancient World." This event is free and all are welcome to attend.
Graphic with text: "RBML author talk and book signing with Dr. Emily Hauser: 'Finding the Female Voice in the Ancient World.' Monday, Nov. 17, 6-8 pm at the Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St. Urbana. Copies of Hauser's books will be available for purchase. This event is free and all are welcome to attend!"
November 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by University of Illinois RBML
illinoisdigi.bsky.social
Daylight Savings ended for much of the US over the weekend. Did you remember to change your clocks?

Find this bookplate from @illinoisrbml.bsky.social in the Digital Special Collections: go.library.illinois.edu/OnderdonkPlate
Bookplate belonging to Sadie E. Onderdonk depicting a woman setting the hand on a large alarm clock under the phrase "TOUT PASSE."
November 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by University of Illinois RBML
lynnemthomas.com
Interested in coming to Champaign-Urbana and using the collections at @illinoisrbml.bsky.social ? We have a $3k visiting scholar program for that! Applications accepted beginning Nov 17. www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/research...
Velde Visiting Scholar Program – Rare Book and Manuscript Library – U of I Library
www.library.illinois.edu
November 3, 2025 at 9:55 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us on Wednesday, 11/12 from 3-5 pm for a talk by Prof. Gillen D'Arcy Wood (LAS) about his new book, The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans' Decline.

This event is free and all are welcome to attend. Book copies will be available for purchase.
Graphic with text: "The Rare Book & Manuscript Library will host an author talk and book signing with Gillen D'Arcy Wood: "The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans' Decline." Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 3-5pm. Room 346, Main Library. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. This event is free and all are welcome to attend!"
November 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Shelfmarks:
Lib[er] cronicarum (1493) - Incunabula F. 902.02 Sch22l
Le triomphe de la Mort (1790) - Emblems 246 D19ho
Mercks Wienn (1680) - Emblems 0002
October 31, 2025 at 3:32 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Happy Halloween! 💀🎃

Popularized during times of plague and disease, Danse Macabre or "the dance of death" illustrates death as a skeleton dancing alongside people from all walks of life. As examples of memento mori, these images serve as a universal reminder or warning of death to the living.
Woodcut depicting skeletons dancing, playing instruments, and one rising from its grave. Woodcut depicting death, portrayed as a skeleton, leading individuals from all walks of life to their death. Engraving depicting a skeleton playing a pipe organ.
October 31, 2025 at 3:32 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
RBML’s new exhibit, "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho," features our much-loved interactive magnetic poetry board. Here are some recent creations by visitors to the exhibit.

We invite you to follow in Sappho's footsteps and stop by to share your own creativity!
Magnetic strips with words arranged to read "I worship believe in want for a thousand things" and "with my shineing I must bear truth." An easel with a whiteboard displaying magnetic strips with words on them, next to a display case with open books and a sign reading "sweetbitter." Magnetic strips with words arranged in a rectangle around words reading "your beauty is that of a goddess." Magnetic strips with words arranged to read "full head makes you gorgeous."
October 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
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.
October 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
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!"
October 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
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.
October 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
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).
October 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM