Böcker utgivna av Bodleian Library

An exploration of a significant art: type designing. The twentieth century saw many developments in printing techniques and how fonts were made. Beginning with cold metal type at the start of the century, the industry moved to hot metal type, phototypesetting, and finally digitization. In each phase, certain type designers excelled in harnessing the latest techniques to create beautiful, innovative, and functional new fonts. Against a background story of the evolution of technology, the role of the designer, the rise of the advertising agency, and the changing function of the printer, this book explores thirty-eight key type designers, how they worked, the fonts they designed, and their lasting influence on typography. Here, you will find Frederic Goudy and Edward Johnston, Stanley Morison and Roger Excoffon, Hermann Zapf and Adrian Frutiger, and renowned contemporary designers Neville Brody and Carol Twombly, plus many more. Taken together, the work and working lives of these extraordinary designers chart the radical changes in typography during the twentieth century.

This is the story of how early radio transformed the sense of home and of nationhood in 1920s and 1930s Britain. The arrival of "wireless" is commonly covered from the broadcasters' point of view, but this book is about its reception by listeners, tracking how they integrated the new medium into their own households, and, through it, became connected in a new sense of nationhood. It will also shed light on how the dynamic digital newcomers of the early 21st Century - downloads and podcasts - are changing society today. Illustrated with archival material, It accompanies an exhibition in 2025

A spellbinding collection of twenty-four divinatory techniques from around the world exploring our need to appeal to powers beyond our realm for prediction and clarification.

Featuring some of the most ferocious and humorous book curses ever inscribed, this is a lively, engaging introduction to the history and development of bookish maledictions. Have you ever wanted to protect your books from forgetful borrowers, merciless page-folders, or outright thieves? Perhaps you have even wished harm on those who have damaged your books--but would you threaten them with hellfire, hanging, or the plague? This book contains a collection of some of the most ferocious and humorous book curses ever inscribed--from fearsome threats discovered emblazoned on stone monuments from the ancient Near East to elaborate manuscript maledictions and chilling warnings scribbled in printed books. Book curses are entertaining writings in themselves, but they also offer a tantalizing insight into how passionately texts and books have been valued by their owners and readers over the centuries. Here you will find an engaging introduction to the history and development of the book curse and perhaps some inspiration to pen a few of your own.

A hilarious anthology of the funniest bits from Dickens' novels, with a foreword by bestselling author Nick Hornby.Dickens: The Funny Bits is a brilliant anthology of the funniest extracts from Dickens' novels featuring his famous comic characters such as the Artful Dodger, Mr. Pickwick, Mr. Micawber, Dick Swiveller, Mr. Wopsle, and the Aged P. Organized by novel, the extracts act as standalone vignettes or set pieces and are illustrated with the much-loved line drawings from the early editions, including work by George Cruikshank, Phiz, John Leech, and Marcus Stone. Complete with an introduction from author Nick Hornby, this work also includes passages from Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Great Expectations, and A Christmas Carol, as well as the unfinished Mystery of Edwin Drood. This work is a super gift for any Dickens fan as well as any reader with an appreciation of the power of humor.

An exquisite edition of William Blake's Songs of Innocence, accompanied by an introduction to his life and work. One of the most important books of illustrated poetry in English literature, William Blake's Songs of Innocence was meticulously relief-etched, printed, and colored in 1789. A unique work of composite art, Song of Innocence contains some of Blake's most enduring and popular poems, delicately illustrated with his exquisite and idiosyncratic designs. This beautiful book reproduces, in color, the twenty-seven pages of the Bodleian Library's copy of Songs of Innocence together with page-facing transcriptions and an introduction on Blake, his life and work, his illuminated printing process, and the genre and continuing influence of Songs of Innocence. Including the much-loved "Nurse's Song," "Little Boy Lost," and "Spring," Blake's captivating lyrics celebrate childhood as a period of harmony and spontaneity, where the defining traits of the world are compassion, empathy, and love.

A beautiful reproduction of naturalist Mark Catesby's flora and fauna illustrations of North America and the Caribbean. Mark Catesby was an eighteenth-century naturalist and artist whose work on the natural history of North America and the Caribbean still resonates today. During several perilous trips, Catesby collected specimens and made extensive observations in the field, gathering material that would eventually become The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, which featured 220 elaborate, distinctive hand-colored illustrations. With their striking combinations of animals and plants paired together with the first-hand observations he made, Catesby's stunning illustrations were widely appreciated in their time and catalyzed interest in the natural history of Colonial America. Ultimately, his work was established as a key reference for the scientific understanding of natural history. As an artist, Catesby meticulously recorded the environment, sifting fact from fiction about the lives of the plants and animals he observed. As a collector, he introduced many living plants to Britain, thereby changing European gardens forever. Catesby's Natural History reproduces all the original plates and shows how Catesby's practical field experience shaped his work in all areas. Whether through the now-extinct species he recorded or the cultural changes he witnessed, his research continues to be relevant, demonstrating the vulnerability and fragility of the natural world.

A haunting anthology of supernatural stories and the macabre. First published in 1898, The Eerie Book is a chilling anthology featuring classic gothic authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Thomas de Quincey, and Hans Christian Andersen alongside well-known, influential fairy tales and folklore. All the macabre stories and extracts from longer works have hints of the supernatural and many include malevolent spirits and grotesque murders. Yet this varied selection also features melancholy hauntings and poignant memoirs in a fascinating mix of gothic horror and disturbing legend. In this new compendium, each story is illustrated with a striking engraving by art nouveau artist W.B. Macdougall. Beautifully produced, carefully curated, and timeless, The Eerie Book is the perfect gift for anyone who likes to be haunted by ghost stories. Read it if you dare.

An intimate account of Albert Einstein's visit to Oxford in the 1930's, casting new light on why he continues to be the world's most famous scientist. In 1931, Albert Einstein visited Oxford to receive an honorary degree and lecture on relativity and the universe. While teaching, he naturally chalked equations and diagrams on several blackboards. Today, one of these boards is the most popular object in Oxford's History of Science Museum. Yet Einstein tried to prevent its preservation because he was modest about his legendary status. Having failed, he complained to his diary: "Not even a cart-horse could endure so much!" Nevertheless, he came back to Oxford in 1932 and again in 1933--then as a refugee from Nazi Germany. In many ways, the city appealed deeply and revealed him at his most charismatic as he participated in its science, music, and politics, and wandered its streets alone. Einstein in Oxford is an eye-opening exploration of the world's most famous scientist, told through the personal writings he left behind from an important period of his life. From the pages of his diary entries, poem, and other written observations, readers gain a deeper understanding of the unique man--and humor--who continues to fascinate the world.

An extraordinary account of Oxford's role in the Second World War. Oxford played a unique part in the national endeavor to defend Britain in the Second World War. Thanks to its proximity to London, the city provided an alternative base for civil servants from the Ministry of Food, the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Home Security, the Ministry of Information, and the Ministry of Works. The Admiralty, the War Office, the Air Ministry, MI5, and Bletchley Park all also had a presence in Oxford. Colleges became military hospitals, evacuee centers, and both cadet and senior officer schools. Students fit for active service took shortened degree courses and underwent military training while they studied. Grassy quadrangles were converted into vegetable plots and the New Bodleian Library provided underground storage for treasures from Parliament and national museums. Drawing on first-hand narratives and the University of Oxford's archival material, this pioneering account reveals the essential role Oxford played in producing military intelligence, creating propaganda, and developing radar and the atomic bomb. It also explores how the university provided sanctuary for academics fleeing fascism who in turn made significant contributions in their fields of expertise, painting an astonishing picture of the war's profound impact on an ancient seat of learning.

An informative introduction exploring our fascination with shells, complete with stunningly reproduced illustrations. In 1811, architect, stone mason, and shell obsessive George Perry published his lavishly illustrated volume, Conchology or the Natural History of Shells. The work featured 348 beautifully illustrated mollusk shells with descriptions of species, many of which were new to science. Despite the effort that went into producing it--and at a time when conchophilia, or shell fancying, was at its height--Perry's Conchology disappeared from scientific literature, after being suppressed by the leading conchologists of the day and then cruelly mocked for decades after. Beautiful Shells reproduces the stunning, exquisitely drawn, and sometimes fanciful shell illustrations from this extraordinary forgotten volume. Following an introduction exploring our fascination with shells and their impact on human history, culture, and science, each of the sixty-one color illustrations is included alongside a description of notable shells and what is known of the mysterious organisms that make them. From the common limpet and razor clam to the valuable cowry and spectacular divine conch, the wide range of featured shells form a treasure trove of natural beauty from our oceans and shores.

A fascinating collection examining the spread of books in Jewish vernacular languages and Hebrew characters. From Cairo Genizah to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, the spread of books in Jewish vernacular languages and Hebrew characters offers an extraordinary insight into the linguistic richness of Jewish life. For over two millennia, Jewish communities have used languages other than Hebrew for daily oral communication, including Aramaic, Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-French, Judeo-Italian, Yiddish, and Ladino. However, they used the Hebrew alphabet to write these languages down and developed sophisticated systems to transmit texts in them. Many of these vernacular languages also became languages of book culture. The Bodleian Libraries' collections host an unparalleled collection of texts in Judeo-languages, giving a picture of how these works were produced and communicated. As some of these languages are now extinct or moribund, these writings are also important testimonies to lost cultures. Generously illustrated and ranging in time from the Middle Ages to the Emancipation, this collection of essays showcases important hallmarks in the intellectual and social history of Jewish culture.

An authoritative collection of essays celebrating Kafka's life and work, and examining how his writing has continued to provide inspiration for over a century.

An illumination of writing's mysteries through examining the words and ideas that were edited out of renowned novels, poems, and plays. Imagine looking over your favorite author's shoulder and witnessing the moment they begin writing the opening chapter of their best-loved novel. What you might see is that the author has to write, cut, and rewrite their words--often many times--in order to find the right form. Unearthing what has been jettisoned, moved, or edited can give us valuable insights into the creative process. Editorial decisions are documented in an extraordinary number of literary manuscripts, notebooks, and letters preserved in libraries and archives. What would Frankenstein have looked like if Mary and Percy Shelley had not collaborated on the draft? Would we view The Wind in the Willows differently if its title had remained The Mole & the Water Rat? This highly illustrated book invites you to explore these roads not taken and discover ideas that did not make it into renowned novels, poems, and plays. With insights into the drafting techniques of writers as varied as Jane Austen, Christina Rossetti, Raymond Chandler, Samuel Beckett, Franz Kafka, John le Carré, Barbara Pym, Philip Pullman, and Alice Oswald, this is a fascinating unveiling of the mysteries of writing, cutting, rewriting, and publishing creative works.

A richly illustrated volume, which reproduces one of the finest collections of eighteenth-century ornithological art in its entirety.

"This translation modernizes the language of this comedy and takes the archaic humor and renews it for a contemporary audience"--

A charming guide to potatoes, covering everything from how to grow them to their origins and history. "Everybody who possibly can ought to grow potatoes." First published towards the end of the First World War, this charming little book is a love letter to the potato, from its origins in South America to Sir Francis Drake's travels, the Irish potato famine, and the great potato boom of 1903 when the "El Dorado" changed hands at eye-watering prices. Filled with practical advice much of which still holds true today, The Potato Book was written to advocate growing potatoes as a cheap and effective crop against a background of spiraling costs and food shortages. Chapters cover soil preparation, methods of propagating, chitting, planting, earthing-up, and recommended varieties from King Edward to Kerr's Pink. It also describes, with handy diagrams, how to guard against common pests and diseases. With a witty and wonderful introduction by Kathy Clugston, The Potato Book is a perfect gift for vegetable growers or anyone with enduring affection for the humble spud.

A fascinating exploration of the history of alcohol in Victorian Britain via the 'drink maps' that were produced by the temperance movement to promote sobriety.

An examination of the influence of Oxford on the writing of C.S. Lewis, bringing to light new archival discoveries including letters and an unpublished poem.

Twenty historical journeys, routes and adventures followed through the maps that made them.

A fascinating and authoritative collection of essays examining the varied adaptations of and responses to Chaucer's work.

A celebration of pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, and the artistic connection between her poetry and her photography.

A compilation of ancient wisdom sourced from ancient and medieval philosophers. Words of wisdom and advice for leading a good life have long been part of society, handed down from one generation to the next. Many of these wise observations originated from the philosophers of Ancient Greece and Rome and went on to circulate widely among the Arabic-speaking communities of the Middle Ages, who added new sayings of their own. Wisdom from the Ancients features over four hundred sayings, riddles, and aphorisms from the ancient and medieval world in English translation. Grouped by themes including medicine, food, politics, and nature, they derive from a range of philosophers and physicians, from Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato to al-Kindī, Ibn Hindū, and al-Rāzī. Packed with timeless advice to contemplate, share, and enjoy, this entertaining book offers readers a gateway to ancient and medieval cultures whose musings on philosophy, health, and life are just as authoritative and relevant today.

A collection of 366 facts about language to enliven each day of the year. In this ingenious and diverse collection of 366 stories, events, and facts about language, David Crystal presents a selection of insights from literary and linguistic writers, poets, and global institutions, together with the weird and wonderful creations of language enthusiasts to enliven each day of the year. This day-by-day treatment illustrates the extraordinary, the weird, and the wonderful creations of language, covering everything from holidays like "Morse Code Day" and "Talk Like William Shatner Day" to the forensic phonetics used to catch serial killers. The book covers writers from many different eras and cultures, including William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Emily Dickinson, Toni Morrison, R. K. Narayan, Wole Soyinka, and many more. Some days focus on pronunciation, orthography, grammar, or vocabulary. Others focus on the way language is used in science, religion, politics, broadcasting, publishing, the arts, and the Internet. Some days acknowledge the achievements of language study, such as in language teaching, speech therapy, deaf education, and forensic science, as well as technological progress, from the humble pencil to digital software. Several days celebrate individual languages, including those spoken in small language communities. A celebration of creativity and change, this book will inspire readers to make a daily date with language.

A stunningly packaged anthology of writings and artwork by noted wood engraver Clare Leighton, including beautifully reproduced extracts and a detailed introduction to the artist's life and work, reflecting Leighton's lifelong fascination with the virtues of the countryside and the people who worked the land.

An exquisitely illustrated, luxury collector's edition of Dicken's holiday tale. This beautiful edition of Charles Dickens's perennial seasonal favorite offers exquisite illustrations of Marley's ghost, Bob Cratchit's slide down icy Cornhill, Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig's dance, and Ebenezer Scrooge himself. Arthur Rackham's color wash drawings and silhouettes, first published during the First World War, bring a threatening and haunting atmosphere to Scrooge's ghostly story. Rackham was a leading illustrator in the golden age of book illustration when groundbreaking techniques for color printing were developing fast. He illustrated over sixty books and specialized in children's classics and fairy tales. This landmark edition of A Christmas Carol helped to consolidate the idea of the Dickensian Christmas and the tradition of the Christmas gift book. It is a beautiful version of a classic story, which never ceases to be relevant to our times.

A collection of reproduced images from the Kennicott Bible, a remarkable artifact from the Middle Ages. The Kennicott Bible is one of the most celebrated Hebrew Bibles that survives today, having delighted readers since its creation in 1476. Originating from La Coruña in northern Spain, it features lavish carpet pages, gold leaf silhouettes, and abundant marginal decorations. This extraordinary manuscript is a treasure trove of history, culture, devotion, art, and cross-cultural collaboration. This book features reproductions of the decorated pages of the stunning manuscript, accompanied by four chapters authored by experts in the fields of Bible study, book history, and medieval Jewish art. These experts discuss the Bible from several perspectives, explaining the Hebrew text of the Bible, the scribe who created the pages, the layout and paleography, and the illuminator who produced the Bible's decoration and its imagery. This volume also includes an analysis of the early medieval commentary on the Old Testament, the Masorah. Richly illustrated throughout, this beautiful book makes a treasure of Jewish art available for a new audience, alongside the latest scholarship on its origins, provenance, and creation.

A celebration of the art of handwriting, including samples from famous writers, scientists, and historical figures. The less it is part of everyday life, the more the appeal of handwriting grows. This wonderful selection of treasures from the Bodleian Library introduces remarkable individuals through documents written in their own hands. From the second century BCE to the present, individual lives and relationships are illuminated through the writing that has been left behind. We see Elizabeth I attempting to win over her new stepmother, Alan Bennett working out the character of Mr. Toad, Henry Moore advising on cleaning methods for his sculptures, and Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin balancing childcare with discovering the structure of penicillin. Handwritten includes letters, first drafts, autograph books, hastily scribbled notes, fair copies, marked-up proofs, and doodles. Divided into themed categories, the entries feature novelists Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Raymond Chandler; scientists Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Albert Einstein; reformers Emmeline Pankhurst, Florence Nightingale, and Mohandas Gandhi; and explorers Walter Raleigh, T.E. Lawrence, and Patrick Leigh Fermor, among many others. Each of these extraordinary figures has passed on a manuscript or document with a fascinating story to tell.

A humorous advice book, offering tips on bedroom manners. Have you ever needed tips on how to sleep next to a snoring spouse? How to convalesce in style? Have you pondered the etiquette of staying in a haunted house? Better Bed Manners, originally published in the 1930s, has the answers you seek. This amusing guide was originally written for married couples, poking fun at both wives and husbands. Better Bed Manners offers a witty glimpse of middle-class life in a bygone era, but it also dispenses some universal advice that still rings true today. "Choose bedside books for their soporific qualities," or "one whisky-and-soda on retiring . . . makes the average man forget the dullest dinner and sends him to bed in a glow of goodwill." With sections on hot-water bottles, robes de nuit, breakfast in bed, the best kind of pillow, sneaking home late, and night-time reading, this is the perfect self-improvement gift for your favorite bedfellow.

A series of thought-provoking essays about the nature of the book as a gift. Giving and receiving gifts can be tricky. Gifts may be touching or puzzling, either strengthening bonds of friendship or becoming a burden. This volume explores how books and writing have described gift-giving over the centuries, but also how books became precious gifts themselves. In a series of thought-provoking essays, richly illustrated from the Bodleian Library's collections and beyond, the contributors illuminate some of the striking ways in which writing interacts with those fundamental impulses to give, receive, and reciprocate. Each chapter draws on a particular perspective, including archaeology, religion, history, literature, and anthropology. From an ancient Sumerian tablet recording the founding of a temple to contemporary children's literature that highlights the pleasures and troubling histories of exchange and inheritance, the dynamics of the gift are at work across space and time. This book features gorgeous medieval manuscripts, gifts made by and for Queen Elizabeth I, Victorian Christmas tales, and a mysterious Scottish book sculpture. Stories of sacrifice, love, loyalty, and friendship are woven into these books and objects, showing the ongoing power of the gift to shape the stories we tell about ourselves.