Friday Library Snapshot …
This week has been busy in Special Collections; I have a few dead lines and some balls in the air! So playing at being a researcher rather than doing my ‘proper’ job was not an option. I did collect some interesting items for a reader (some requests although not many are not so interesting) But time was not on my side, so I could only take a peek at one book, published in 1900; called the Square book of animals with rhymes by Arthur Waugh and illustrations by William Nicholson. This particular copy was presented to Reading University Library by Professor Seaby and contains a note on the printing method used for this edition of the book written by Allen W. Seaby.
I was unable to look closely at the item but impressed by the images; went home and found a reproduction on Amazon for a fraction of the cost of the original. Not perfect by any means but at least I have access to the real thing when the workload slackens.
Alphabe Thursday … A is for Apple Pie
We start again with A; so I thought I would look more closely at alphabet books and came across this nursery rhyme well known during the reign of Charles II. In 1671 , John Eachard, an outspoken cleric quoted it in his book ‘Some observations upon the answer to an enquiry into the grounds & occasions of the contempt of the clergy’ It would seem preaching the gospels was not as easy as ABC!
It was considered in to be a good aid when teaching children to spell in the Coopers’ spelling book ‘The child’s new plaything’
Later in the century it featured often in the chapbook series; the usual title was the Tragical death of A, Apple Pye who was cut in pieces and eat by twenty-five gentlemen with whom all little people ought to be very well acquainted.
The rhyme was a favourite for ABC instruction in the 19th century. Kate Greenaway made a book of it, A, Apple Pie which is still reprinted.
A was an apple-pie;
B bit it,
C cut it,
D dealt it,
E eat it,
F fought for it,
G got it,
H had it,
I inspected it,
J jumped for it,
K kept it,
L longed for it,
M mourned for it,
N nodded at it,
O opened it,
P peeped in it,
Q quartered it,
R ran for it,
S stole it,
T took it,
U upset it,
V viewed it,
W wanted it,
X,Y,Z, and the ampersand
all wished for a piece in hand.
Want to understand UKIP? Look at their bike policy
Doing a bit of reblogging to day as a cyclist of many years I have a right …
Not beloved of UKIP
Conservative Week continues. Having looked at the philosopher who represents the best of conservatism, we look at the party that represents the worst of it: UKIP. I argue that their policy on cycling is microcosm of their ugly worldview
Ummm…wouldn’t their policy on Europe be the key one?
Not really. It’s not the most salient issue for UKIP supporters by any stretch.
Ok but bikes certainly aren’t either
No but it’s a microcosm for their wider attitudes.
So what do they say about bikes?
Their 2010 manifesto had the following to say:
10.2 We believe that there needs to be a better balance of rights and responsibilities for pedal cyclists, with too much aggressive abuse of red lights, pedestrian crossings and a lack of basic safety and road courtesy.
10.6 UKIP would consult on the desirability of minimum third party liability insurance cover for cyclists –…
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Wednesday’s woodengraver …
I recently learned about Simon Brett, who is a is an artist, printmaker and a book illustrator, while reading Anne Hayward’s book; who recommended his Wood engraving ; how to do it. While we didn’t have a copy in the library (I have bought one since) But I did find some examples of his work that I enjoyed and they will I hope will inspire me to make prints!
Images from
A tale of two benches illustrated with wood engravings by Robert Gibbings and Simon Brett.
Painter & poet : three poems by U.A. Fanthorpe; wood-engravings by Simon Brett.
Twelve months of a year : poems by Joy Finzi ; with wood engravings by Simon Brett.
Becky says things about … reasons to be cheerful
This made my day after 5 months of rubbish … I will dance in the Reading Room this afty xxxx
Oh, brave Listener. We’ve all had a bit of a rough time recently.
There are several reasons why we are all feeling a bit peeved, irked, and somewhat vexed:
1) It is February. February is an obnoxiously depressing month, it knows it, and it doesn’t care. February is insufferable.
2) We are still paying off our Christmas credit card bills. This is intolerable.
3) Our New Year’s resolution diet and exercise regimes have failed miserably and we are eating more doughnuts, peanut butter, and full fat milk than ever before to cope with the depression of February and Christmas credit card bills.
4) The couples amongst us have had a relationship-busting argument on Valentine’s Day, and the singletons amongst us have just been reminded that they are SINGLE and ALONE and destined to remain that way for the rest of their sorry lives.
5) There is nothing to look forward…
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Weekly Photo Challenge
I was very excited this week when I learned about the weekly challenge. It was a good opportunity for me to show the world my recent ‘work of art.’ Sadly, (its a long story) it didn’t work out as I hoped so I am heading back to the drawing board.
However, we can always rely on our children to come up with a unique piece and I didn’t have to look far for this. My daughter made this around 13 years ago as a birthday gift to me. It is a silk bag trimmed with beads to keep trinkets in; while it is a little passed its sell by date; it still does a good job. In my opinion a perfect work of art.
Monday … A question
Why is it that joyous encounters and achievements fade into insignificance when an insignificant failure looms heavy and becomes a horrible monster. This weekend, some nice things happened; two were especially successful. I booked a return train ticket to Newcastle with a tidy reduction; enough to pay for Bed and Breakfast, so that I can attend a class with a notable wood engraver in June.
Then, I managed to fit a new ribbon on my ancient manual typewriter. Although I had instructions, it was a messy and awkward task that I did successfully.
However, over the last two weeks I have been attempting to do a lino print with multiple colours. I was wasn’t going to be easy
(neither, I might add were the other tests … I had already failed miserably to buy a ticket to Newcastle on line the previous day and typewriters are old!)
I carefully followed the instructions and waited patiently while each layer of ink dried. This week I added the 3rd and 4th colours Already I was noticing some difficulties and made careful notes for next time. But rather than be rational and listening to all the right responses; like ‘its is a steep learning curve,’ ‘you will do better next time’ etc. etc. I am mortified at the result. Why is that?
Silent Sunday
Saturday …
This is today’s question ‘How many cups of tea does it take to fit a typewriter ribbon?’
I will let you know!
Friday Snapshot from the Museum
Since taking an interest in printmaking I have looked more closely at ‘paintings’ and I had not realised a picture that I pass by daily here at the Museum of English Rural Life is an engraving by Andrew Davidson. It depicts the contrasting landscape of the 1850s with that of the 1950s. It really is a ‘work of art’ and well worth a visit when in the area.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 