University of Reading Special Collections
@uorspeccoll.bsky.social
Sharing treasures from our Special Collections, Rare Books and Archives.
Website: https://collections.reading.ac.uk/special-collections/
Enquiries: specialcollections@reading.ac.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unirdg_collections
Website: https://collections.reading.ac.uk/special-collections/
Enquiries: specialcollections@reading.ac.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unirdg_collections
Pinned
🥳 Now open 🎉
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
University of Reading Special Collections and @themerl.bsky.social have arrived at History Day 2025! Come and have a go at our badge making. We’re really excited to look at all the other stalls too! #histday25 @ihr.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social @senatehouselib.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 10:54 AM
University of Reading Special Collections and @themerl.bsky.social have arrived at History Day 2025! Come and have a go at our badge making. We’re really excited to look at all the other stalls too! #histday25 @ihr.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social @senatehouselib.bsky.social
Happy Halloween!🎃
In his poem “All Souls’ Night”, W.B. Yeats calls on the memory of his lost friends around a ghostly dinner table. The poem serves as an epilogue to his work ‘A Vision’, an philosophical exploration of the imaginary and the occult.🔮 👻
FINZI BOOK ROOM 19G/02
In his poem “All Souls’ Night”, W.B. Yeats calls on the memory of his lost friends around a ghostly dinner table. The poem serves as an epilogue to his work ‘A Vision’, an philosophical exploration of the imaginary and the occult.🔮 👻
FINZI BOOK ROOM 19G/02
October 31, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Happy Halloween!🎃
In his poem “All Souls’ Night”, W.B. Yeats calls on the memory of his lost friends around a ghostly dinner table. The poem serves as an epilogue to his work ‘A Vision’, an philosophical exploration of the imaginary and the occult.🔮 👻
FINZI BOOK ROOM 19G/02
In his poem “All Souls’ Night”, W.B. Yeats calls on the memory of his lost friends around a ghostly dinner table. The poem serves as an epilogue to his work ‘A Vision’, an philosophical exploration of the imaginary and the occult.🔮 👻
FINZI BOOK ROOM 19G/02
In our latest blog post, last year's graduate trainee archive assistant Amanda Knight talks us through her archival findings surrounding Dr B.R. Morris's research into the works of John Cleveland.
Read here: collections.reading.ac.uk/special-coll...
Read here: collections.reading.ac.uk/special-coll...
October 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
In our latest blog post, last year's graduate trainee archive assistant Amanda Knight talks us through her archival findings surrounding Dr B.R. Morris's research into the works of John Cleveland.
Read here: collections.reading.ac.uk/special-coll...
Read here: collections.reading.ac.uk/special-coll...
These dramatic sketches come from Joseph Nash’s 1838 "Architecture of the Middle Ages: drawn from nature and on stone". We especially love how these sketches combine the everyday goings-on and tribulations of the townspeople with the striking gothic architecture behind.
RESERVE LARGE FOLIO—049
RESERVE LARGE FOLIO—049
October 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM
These dramatic sketches come from Joseph Nash’s 1838 "Architecture of the Middle Ages: drawn from nature and on stone". We especially love how these sketches combine the everyday goings-on and tribulations of the townspeople with the striking gothic architecture behind.
RESERVE LARGE FOLIO—049
RESERVE LARGE FOLIO—049
This bound volume of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and volume I of The Ghost Seer by Friedrich Schiller is exactly what we need at this time of year! These illustrations depict iconic moments from the stories, though Schiller's tale remains unfinished…
October 13, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This bound volume of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and volume I of The Ghost Seer by Friedrich Schiller is exactly what we need at this time of year! These illustrations depict iconic moments from the stories, though Schiller's tale remains unfinished…
Reposted by University of Reading Special Collections
wake up babe
new generational James Joyce exhibition just dropped
new generational James Joyce exhibition just dropped
🥳 Now open 🎉
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
October 7, 2025 at 9:21 AM
wake up babe
new generational James Joyce exhibition just dropped
new generational James Joyce exhibition just dropped
🥳 Now open 🎉
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
October 7, 2025 at 9:19 AM
🥳 Now open 🎉
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
Discover rarely-seen letters and artefacts from the personal archive of beloved author James Joyce in James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles.
Explore Joyce's social network of friends and artists, his family life, his inspirations, and the adjustments he made to work despite ill-health.
We hold the world's largest Samuel Beckett Collection, and frequently welcome researchers, actors and dramatists.
In April, this included the cast of the upcoming Jamie Lloyd Co production of Waiting for Godot – including actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter!
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/t...
In April, this included the cast of the upcoming Jamie Lloyd Co production of Waiting for Godot – including actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter!
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/t...
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter Are Ready for ‘Godot’
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
We hold the world's largest Samuel Beckett Collection, and frequently welcome researchers, actors and dramatists.
In April, this included the cast of the upcoming Jamie Lloyd Co production of Waiting for Godot – including actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter!
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/t...
In April, this included the cast of the upcoming Jamie Lloyd Co production of Waiting for Godot – including actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter!
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/t...
Some of our books have detailed illustrated covers, like these three volumes on the life of Osbert Sitwell. Part of a collection of five autobiographical books, these were published between 1940 and 1950.
[Finzi 23C/14,15,17]
[Finzi 23C/14,15,17]
September 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Some of our books have detailed illustrated covers, like these three volumes on the life of Osbert Sitwell. Part of a collection of five autobiographical books, these were published between 1940 and 1950.
[Finzi 23C/14,15,17]
[Finzi 23C/14,15,17]
Convinced they had seen a real phoenix, the owner of this 16th century book was not impressed by its illustrations. Belon’s 1557 ‘Vrais portraits d’oyseaux’ was used as a checklist for an avid birdwatcher and is full of their annotations. We wonder what the phoenix they saw was…?
[Cole 136/5]
[Cole 136/5]
August 21, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Convinced they had seen a real phoenix, the owner of this 16th century book was not impressed by its illustrations. Belon’s 1557 ‘Vrais portraits d’oyseaux’ was used as a checklist for an avid birdwatcher and is full of their annotations. We wonder what the phoenix they saw was…?
[Cole 136/5]
[Cole 136/5]
This dramatic cover is heavy enough to be wooden, but it’s actually made of papier-mâché!
Henry Humphreys’ ‘A record of the black prince’ was published in 1849 and is full of detailed miniatures.
[Longman 053]
Henry Humphreys’ ‘A record of the black prince’ was published in 1849 and is full of detailed miniatures.
[Longman 053]
August 18, 2025 at 8:43 AM
This dramatic cover is heavy enough to be wooden, but it’s actually made of papier-mâché!
Henry Humphreys’ ‘A record of the black prince’ was published in 1849 and is full of detailed miniatures.
[Longman 053]
Henry Humphreys’ ‘A record of the black prince’ was published in 1849 and is full of detailed miniatures.
[Longman 053]
Some of our manuscripts have tiny figures on them, a few no larger than a thumbnail! These pages range from 400 to 900 years old, and are gilt in gold.
[MS 5650]
[MS 5650]
August 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Some of our manuscripts have tiny figures on them, a few no larger than a thumbnail! These pages range from 400 to 900 years old, and are gilt in gold.
[MS 5650]
[MS 5650]
Interested in rare books collections and all things library? We’re looking for a Graduate Trainee Library Assistant to join our team!
Find out more here:
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Find out more here:
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Graduate Trainee Library Assistant :Whiteknights Reading UK
Full time, fixed term contact for 12 months
jobs.reading.ac.uk
July 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Interested in rare books collections and all things library? We’re looking for a Graduate Trainee Library Assistant to join our team!
Find out more here:
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Find out more here:
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by University of Reading Special Collections
Mills & Boon have been publishing romantic novels since 1908, but who were the often hidden authors? In her prize-winning 3 minute talk from #UoRPhDConf, Vic Pickup reveals insights from her PhD research drawing on letters from @uorspeccoll.bsky.social youtu.be/qzFDFZqTLNE?... #MillsandBoon #PhD
Three Minute Thesis Competition Winner 2025 Sorry not sorry: The invisible women behind Mills & Boon
YouTube video by University of Reading
youtu.be
July 17, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Mills & Boon have been publishing romantic novels since 1908, but who were the often hidden authors? In her prize-winning 3 minute talk from #UoRPhDConf, Vic Pickup reveals insights from her PhD research drawing on letters from @uorspeccoll.bsky.social youtu.be/qzFDFZqTLNE?... #MillsandBoon #PhD
What would social media look like in the Victorian period? Our newest online exhibition curated by PhD student Amy Longmuir explores ‘The Omnibus’, a magazine created at the turn of the century, which gives us an insight into Victorian life.
July 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
What would social media look like in the Victorian period? Our newest online exhibition curated by PhD student Amy Longmuir explores ‘The Omnibus’, a magazine created at the turn of the century, which gives us an insight into Victorian life.
Some of the books in our collection have had their illustrations coloured in by hand, like this 1553 volume ‘De Aquatilibus’ by Pierre Belon, full of drawings of sea creatures.
[Cole 136/04]
[Cole 136/04]
July 2, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Some of the books in our collection have had their illustrations coloured in by hand, like this 1553 volume ‘De Aquatilibus’ by Pierre Belon, full of drawings of sea creatures.
[Cole 136/04]
[Cole 136/04]
This curious book ‘The Toilet’ was published in 1867, and only has illustrations with small lines of text. Despite its name, this book does not actually contain toilets, instead each picture has a flap hiding a ‘virtue’.
[Reserve 170.84 MUR]
[Reserve 170.84 MUR]
June 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
This curious book ‘The Toilet’ was published in 1867, and only has illustrations with small lines of text. Despite its name, this book does not actually contain toilets, instead each picture has a flap hiding a ‘virtue’.
[Reserve 170.84 MUR]
[Reserve 170.84 MUR]
Happy Bloomsday to all! We are pleased to announce a new exhibition from the Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection, James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles.
June 16, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Happy Bloomsday to all! We are pleased to announce a new exhibition from the Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection, James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles.
Some of our material has hidden additions, like this unassuming 1697 copy ‘Of wisdom’ by Pierre Charron. On the back cover, someone has doodled a person riding a bull or cow, also dated 1698!
[Reserve 170 CHA]
[Reserve 170 CHA]
June 14, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Some of our material has hidden additions, like this unassuming 1697 copy ‘Of wisdom’ by Pierre Charron. On the back cover, someone has doodled a person riding a bull or cow, also dated 1698!
[Reserve 170 CHA]
[Reserve 170 CHA]
Recently found in our archive, this travel journal recounts trips to Geneva, Chamonix and Rome. Written between 1846 and 1853 by Miss Fuller, this book has everything from stories of her holidays, to dancing lessons and comments on the weather.
[MS 1652]
[MS 1652]
June 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Recently found in our archive, this travel journal recounts trips to Geneva, Chamonix and Rome. Written between 1846 and 1853 by Miss Fuller, this book has everything from stories of her holidays, to dancing lessons and comments on the weather.
[MS 1652]
[MS 1652]
‘The feminine monarchie…’ by Charles Butler revolutionised beekeeping in 1609 by confirming the queen bee existed. It also includes musical notation of bee’s drones, recipes for marmalade, and descriptions of bees building little wax chapels in their hives!
[Bee Coll. Cotton 01]
[Bee Coll. Cotton 01]
June 6, 2025 at 8:38 AM
‘The feminine monarchie…’ by Charles Butler revolutionised beekeeping in 1609 by confirming the queen bee existed. It also includes musical notation of bee’s drones, recipes for marmalade, and descriptions of bees building little wax chapels in their hives!
[Bee Coll. Cotton 01]
[Bee Coll. Cotton 01]
Our archives hold large collections as well as material that tells the stories of individuals. These recipes were found in a notebook filled with deeply personal stories from the author, and connect us to the history of the items we store.
[MS 1653]
[MS 1653]
May 28, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Our archives hold large collections as well as material that tells the stories of individuals. These recipes were found in a notebook filled with deeply personal stories from the author, and connect us to the history of the items we store.
[MS 1653]
[MS 1653]
It's your last chance to see the Charles Hasler exhibition in the staircase hall as it closes on 30 May:
tinyurl.com/bd2nppsv
And look out for our latest blog post on three innovative mid-century women artists featured in the exhibition!
tinyurl.com/3zx4trmw
tinyurl.com/bd2nppsv
And look out for our latest blog post on three innovative mid-century women artists featured in the exhibition!
tinyurl.com/3zx4trmw
May 23, 2025 at 11:04 AM
It's your last chance to see the Charles Hasler exhibition in the staircase hall as it closes on 30 May:
tinyurl.com/bd2nppsv
And look out for our latest blog post on three innovative mid-century women artists featured in the exhibition!
tinyurl.com/3zx4trmw
tinyurl.com/bd2nppsv
And look out for our latest blog post on three innovative mid-century women artists featured in the exhibition!
tinyurl.com/3zx4trmw
We hold thousands of children’s books in our collection, including this edition of ‘Fighting the flames’ by R.M. Ballantyne. This copy was printed at the start of the 20th century, and has detailed illustrations.
[CC 823.8 BAL]
[CC 823.8 BAL]
May 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
We hold thousands of children’s books in our collection, including this edition of ‘Fighting the flames’ by R.M. Ballantyne. This copy was printed at the start of the 20th century, and has detailed illustrations.
[CC 823.8 BAL]
[CC 823.8 BAL]
When ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ by L. Frank Baum was first published, it contained spelling mistakes that had to be quickly amended in a new printing. This is one of our first editions, printed in 1900, with the mistakes corrected.
[Wizard of Oz Collection 001]
[Wizard of Oz Collection 001]
May 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM
When ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ by L. Frank Baum was first published, it contained spelling mistakes that had to be quickly amended in a new printing. This is one of our first editions, printed in 1900, with the mistakes corrected.
[Wizard of Oz Collection 001]
[Wizard of Oz Collection 001]