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ljmu-sca.bsky.social
LJMU Special Collections & Archives
@ljmu-sca.bsky.social
1.6K followers 790 following 120 posts
Home to: LJMU's history; punk & pop culture; visual arts; music; women & girls' comics (Femorabilia); Stafford Beer; Liverpool theatre; 19th Century periodicals; & more! ✏📰
https://linktr.ee/ljmu_sca
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ljmu-sca.bsky.social
LJMU Special Collections & Archives @ljmu-sca.bsky.social · Feb 28
"It’s very powerful to know at least some of our known and unknown histories are being collected and stored and used. I will definitely be back!"

Thank you to everyone who attended one of our #LGBTQ+HM #archive workshops ❤️🏳️‍🌈
#lgbt #history #lgbthistory #lgbthm #lgbtq+ #gayhistory #transhistory
Three people sat in our Reading Room happily looking at archive material, with a display of Femorabilia (women and girls) magazines in the background. A table full of archive material and special collections publications, including photograph albums from I M Marsh College, a satirical book cutting mocking dandies, two scrapbooks of 19th century period women's costume, The Family Doctor, some of Peter Farrer's publications, & etc. A full table of archive material with a close up of The Wolverine: Gay Voices of Hostility publication. In the background is the Two Cowboys design pillowcase t-shirt, made by Malcolm McClaren using Jim French's illustration. A full table of archive material and special collections publications showing small run community publications and erotic zines from predominantly the 1970s, as well as catalogues in the background and 1980s-1990s club flyers.
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Where Artists and Texts Meet
Are you a book artist or take inspiration from literature? Submit for an upcoming exhibit, deadline 4 Jan 2026. All details via: www.curatorspace.com/opportunitie...
#books #literature #library #art #bookart #exhibit #libraries #bookartist #archive
Text imposed on background print artwork for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Text reads: CALL FOR ARTISTS: Where Artists and Texts Meet. Are you a book artist, or take inspiration from literature? LJMU and Liverpool Book Art are collaborating on this call for submissions for exhibition of new or pre-existing works of: Art inspired by existing literature or poetry; Artists books; Collaborations between artists and writers; New bindings or settings of texts. Deadline 4 Jan 2026 - more details at the link.
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
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! 👻
A pile of discoloured tape strips on the right, next to a piece of paper on the left with an orange residue stain.
December 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
uknatarcsector.bsky.social
We’re delighted to announce that #AYearinArchives 2025 is now live!

Have a browse and let us know which projects you enjoy reading about: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...

📷 RNLI, Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives, Staffordshire County Council, Gateshead Archive

(1/2)
Four women pose for the camera wearing colourful patterned dresses. A large exhibition space displaying a buggy (with an explanatory placard in front of it) and an interactive screen. A colourful yellow and red poster entitled 'Cockney Rebels: Popular Music in Tower Hamlets 1624-2003'. The centre of the poster shows an electric guitar in front of photos of performers from various decades. A black and white image of four people wearing raincoats and walking in a straight line. Two of the people carry models of boats. The other two carry collection boxes that say 'life-boat'.
November 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Our April Ashley First Look event went SO well - THANK YOU to everyone who attended!
If you couldn't make it - we still want to hear from YOU as to what you'd like to see from the collection: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
#archive #history #lgbthistory #transhistory #lgbthm #liverpoolhistory #art
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
ljmuresearch.bsky.social
Our colleague Christopher in @ljmu-sca.bsky.social did an excellent post about why April Ashley's Personal Papers are so cool and some things you might get to view in the first look: www.tiktok.com/@ljmu_sca/vi...
November 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
luciejones83.bsky.social
This afternoon I had one of my fav lectures: the Victorian Body. It’s interactive. I set up scholarship & prompts and then students look at archival material from @ljmu-sca.bsky.social. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful uni archive close to hand. Thanks Christopher for such great material!
A table with archive material and stacks behind A selection of archive books on a table A selection of fashion plates A selection of books on a table
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Hi all - we've just had a notification that there was an Eventbrite issue preventing tickets from being reserved.
Please do try again now as the issue is fixed!
19 Nov or 21 Nov at @ljmulibrary.bsky.social
*Always* free entry! #lgbt #archives #history #liverpool #transhistory
ljmu-sca.bsky.social LJMU Special Collections & Archives @ljmu-sca.bsky.social · Nov 6
We're SO excited to reveal April Ashley's Personal Papers as our newest collection, and we really want to hear from our communities as to what you want to see happen next!
Book onto a First Look event at: www.eventbrite.com/e/april-ashl...
#lgbt #lgbtq #lgbthistory #trans #aprilashley #transhistory
April Ashley's Personal Papers: First Look at the New Collection
You're invited to take a First Look at our newest collection: April Ashley's Personal Papers
www.eventbrite.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:51 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
We're SO excited to reveal April Ashley's Personal Papers as our newest collection, and we really want to hear from our communities as to what you want to see happen next!
Book onto a First Look event at: www.eventbrite.com/e/april-ashl...
#lgbt #lgbtq #lgbthistory #trans #aprilashley #transhistory
April Ashley's Personal Papers: First Look at the New Collection
You're invited to take a First Look at our newest collection: April Ashley's Personal Papers
www.eventbrite.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Really happy to have supported two contributions to EX LIBRIS: a Graphic Design & Illustration @ljmuofficial.bsky.social staff exhibition with two sets of reproductions from our Special Collections.
Curated by Seel Garside
John Lennon Art & Design Building
#art #arthistory #books #libraries #ljmu
October 31, 2025 at 11:10 AM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
We're all set up for our big exhibition launch tonight and can't wait to see you!
Back to the Drawing Board: 200 Years of Art Education
Runs 16 Oct - 19 Dec 2025
Mount Pleasant Campus Library, 29 Maryland St, L1 9DE
#art #exhibit #arthistory #liverpool #history #archives #ljmu #liverpoolhistory
October 16, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
ljmuresearch.bsky.social
This news is just so cool: www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/new... Hooray for @ljmu-sca.bsky.social
LJMU hosts iconic April Ashley collection
The private papers and correspondence of the late April Ashley have been secured in the university’s Special Collections and Archives.
www.ljmu.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 11:44 AM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
New blog post for the Unity Theatre Archive Project! Over the next year LJMU SCA will be working with the Unity Theatre to catalogue and digitise its archives. If you are interested in volunteering you can apply via the link in this blog. Closes Sunday 19th October.
ljmuarchives.blog/2025/10/14/i...
Introducing the Unity Theatre Archive Project
Hi everyone, my name is Megan and I’ve recently joined LJMU’s Special Collections and Archives as the Unity Theatre Project Archivist. Over the next year I’ll be cataloguing the papers of the Unity…
ljmuarchives.blog
October 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Want to come to an exhibition launch to celebrate 200 years of the Liverpool School of Art @ljmuofficial.bsky.social ?
We're making our 'Private' Views as inclusive as possible!
Exhibition runs 16 Oct - 19 Dec 2025
#archives #heritage #art #arthistory #liverpool
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exhibition...
Exhibition Public/Private View: Back to the Drawing Board
A launch party for Back to the Drawing Board: 200 Years of Art Education, an exhibition to showcase histories of art teaching in Liverpool.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Archives Exploration Saturday - Heritage Open Day
20 Sep 2025
Showcasing archive material from our sixty-two exciting collections in this hands-on drop-in workshop!
Book for free via Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.com/e/archives-e...
#hod #heritageopenday #history #liverpool #art #heritage #museum
Archives Exploration Saturday - Heritage Open Day
Explore our sixty-two exciting archive collections at this rare Saturday open day with an introduction from the Archivists.
www.eventbrite.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:39 AM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
A LEGACY IN MOTION celebrates 125 years of women's sports education in #Liverpool, from the Liverpool Gymnasium in 1900 to the long-lasting impact of I M Marsh College.
LG & G Floors of Aldham Robarts Library
29 Maryland St, L1 9DE
Mon-Fri 08:45-17:00
#womenshistory #sportshistory #history #archives
Poster for A Legacy in Motion: Women's Physical Education 1900-2025. The poster displays an open locker, with the exhibition title on the open locker door with the dates 12 May - 2 September 2025 as well as the address, and inside the locker is another panel of text reading: 'Curated by Christopher Olive, LJMU Special Collections & Archives Designed by Paola Dore, [affiliation] With many thanks to LJMU Special Collections & Archives The Association of Past Students of I M Marsh College of Physical Education Apogee Corporation Ltd. LJMU School of Art and Creative Industries Department for Graphic Design & Illustration With special thanks to: Rebecca Davies, Jas Kaur, Dorna Mahmid, and Sally Marquiss.' The design also features some cut out pictures of women doing sports from original photographs in the archive along various geometric shapes. A photo of two exhibition cases. The closest has blue transparent vinyls down the front to split the case into three 'lockers.' On one side is a hanging swimming costume, some books, and some interpretation panels with photos and text, and on the other side is a hockey stick, a hockey cap, some shin pads, a small red book, and some hanging socks with a field sports interpretation panel at the back. In the background you can also see another tall exhibition case featuring a headless mannequin wearing an I M Marsh uniform scarf and blazer. In between the two cases is a bench to sit on, and the header poster for the exhibit. A close up photo of a flat exhibition case, behind which is a window with a vinyl compilation image of women from the archive doing sports on geometric shapes. The case itself has a timeline of 1919-1938 printed on it. Items inside the case include a photo album, a loose page from a photo album, a uniform scarf, a plaque, a green dress, a uniform belt, some emblem badges, and some photographs, as well as the interpretation label text.
May 22, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
joanneknowlesuk.bsky.social
For #WorldDonkeyDay here's a hard-working donkey enjoying kindness from children, in an image from one of the 19th century periodicals held in LJMU Special Collections @ljmu-sca.bsky.social #archives
A black and white drawing of a donkey pulling a cart and being offered some hay by children
May 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
#ArchivePlan chests are so-called so b/c they usually store architectural plans & maps.
B/c we specialise in #counterculture & #theatre however, ours are mostly posters & oversize photos!
View every Everyman Theatre poster here: everyman-theatre-pos.ljmuexhibitions.online/sets
#Archive30 #archives
A plan chest with one draw half open and another fully open, showing various large counterculture posters, including ‘FREE PUSSY RIOT’ and a photograph of Poly Styrene.
April 8, 2025 at 11:34 AM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Programme for Stupid Cupid, c.1993, with some wonderful adverts at the back!
#theatrehistory #history #archive #lgbthistory #theatre #lgbtq+ #lgbt #gayhistory #archives
Front cover of programme for Stupid Cupid by Phil Willmott. Presented by Gay Sweatshop Theatre Company, with tagline 'The Sin-steeped story of today's "bent" generation."' It features a butch in a short sleeved button up with an arm tattoo smoking a cigarette while holding a woman with blonde Marilyn style hair and a red evening dress, and two men sat at a bar in the background. Advert page featuring adverts for Spark Ceresa Design Consultants; Evan Butler Wade Solicitors 'Whether you are sin-steeped or stain-free we are here to advise you'; the new-look Everywoman magazine; Gay Men Fighting AIDS (GMFA) 'We give a fuck: write for more information to join us.'; 'No need to be lonely: MAKE NEW FRIENDS: Join Kenric: The Nationwide Group for Lesbians'; I am a Bee theatre performance by Pascal Brannan; and the world premier tour of Twilight Shift by Jackie Kay: 'In a small Scottish mining town, two men are in love. One cuts coat, the other cuts hair. Two men fall in love with each other.' Advert for HOM: Men in Hom Underwear hold their Cocks with Pride. The image features a man in boxer briefs holding a chicken. The bottom reads 'Free Male Order Catalogue' with the contact details.
April 4, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
archive.org
History isn’t just what survives—it’s what we choose to remember. Too often, queer & trans stories have been erased, forgotten, or hidden away. But archives help reclaim that history, ensuring that future generations can find themselves in the past. blog.archive.org/2025/04/02/v...
“Most queer publishing from the 1960s onward was issued in small, independent presses that have disappeared.” Brooke Palmieri Artist & writer
April 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Excited to welcome our new intern Caitlin Cooper, who will be finalising the four year project to catalogue the Elder Dempster Captain Morgan (EDCM) collection 🥳🚢
Read more: ljmuarchives.blog/2025/04/02/e...
#archives #archive #maritimehistory #liverpool #history #students #elderdempster
A white female student sits at a desk looking at a screen with an Excel catalogue up. She is wearing glasses on her top of her head, and has a brown ponytail. Behind her is our Reading Room, and shelves of 19th Century periodicals. Plate from childrens' service, with image of bear riding a bicycle on the front. It reads 'Elder Dempster Lines Childrens Service.'
April 2, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
scotsarchives.bsky.social
Are you thinking about a career in archives but not sure where to start?

Take a look at our dedicated webpage that talks about different roles, training, volunteering and finding a job!

Explore here:
Thinking About a Career in Archives - Scottish Council on Archives
Archives vary greatly in size and remit, so every archive needs people with a variety of different skills in order to run. Here are some of the main careers that you might find in archives:
www.scottisharchives.org.uk
March 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
luciejones83.bsky.social
Just had a lovely archive session with my first years. Big shout out to Emily & Christopher, our wonderful @ljmu-sca.bsky.social archivists who pulled out some great material on tourism & travel. I also used @cjdenial.bsky.social’s SOCC it model to reading sources & it was perfect! 1/2
A collection of primary material on the Elder Dempster lines including plates with animals for children and leaflets A collection of maps and map leaflets on a desk for travel A table on a handout titled reading your sources. Text reads Reading Your Sources SOOCC Questions Your Responses Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source When was the document created? Who created the document? What kind of document is it? For what audience was the document created? What's the significance of these pieces of information? Remember that you need to show the 'how' in your responses to the questions above. Observe 1 Summarise the content of the document in one sentence? What parts of the text support / verify
March 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
Super happy to have supplied #archive material from our Everyman & Willy Russell collections for a short piece on The One Show! Starts at 17:24: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
@liveveryplay.bsky.social @willyrussell.bsky.social #theatre #theatrehistory #archives #liverpool #liverpoolhistory
The One Show - 19/03/2025
Julie Graham and Laura Aikman talk about BBC drama This City Is Ours, and Keith Allen talks about his EastEnders debut. Alex Jones and Clara Amfo present.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted by LJMU Special Collections & Archives
liverpool1207.bsky.social
#Liverpool OTD - 1986: Willey Russell's new play Shirley Valentine opens at The Everyman
March 13, 2025 at 1:18 PM
ljmu-sca.bsky.social
As if you needed more reasons to visit our #exhibitions, they're always well stocked with badges to take away 😍
This time repros from Kate Greenaway's Alphabet for the children's #books exhibit Once Upon a Page: ljmuarchives.blog/2025/02/10/o...
#exhibit #museum #library #childrensbooks #libraries
A stand with a red cloth on top displaying: badges to take away with archive reproductions on them, predominantly showing alphabet designs from Kate Greenaway's Alphabet; a magazine stand with several children's books for browsing; a leaflet advertising the exhibit Once Upon a Page; and the LJMU Special Collections & Archives resource guides for All Collections A-Z, LGBTQ+ History, and Liverpool Theatre and Writing.
March 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM