“I suspected it was special as soon as I saw it …”: Reading’s Caxton leaf

May 10, 2017 ~ alison-cullingford ~ Leave a comment

News of a wonderful find at the University of Reading Special Collections. While cataloguing a collection of fragments, Special Collections librarian Erika Delbecque spotted something exciting ... a leaf from the Sarum Ordinal printed by William Caxton in 1476 or 1477 - the only copy of this part of the book known to survive! The … Continue reading “I suspected it was special as soon as I saw it …”: Reading’s Caxton leaf

British Armorial Bindings: Heraldry Online

July 27, 2012July 27, 2012 ~ alison-cullingford ~ 1 Comment

Delighted to see the British Armorial Bindings database online, thanks to the Bibliographical Society of London and the University of Toronto. Building on the work of the late John Morris, continued by Philip Oldfield, the database aims to offer a "comprehensive catalogue of all the coats of arms, crests, and other heraldic devices that have … Continue reading British Armorial Bindings: Heraldry Online

52 Fantastic Bindings – what next?

June 18, 2012 ~ alison-cullingford ~ 1 Comment

Special Collections at the University of St Andrews have been running a weekly series: 52 Weeks of Fantastic Bindings, highlighting the gorgeous bindings of their rare books and manuscripts. I mentioned this great series before, but, now that the 52 Weeks are over, I think it's time to mention it again! The series is worth … Continue reading 52 Fantastic Bindings – what next?

Books about Books Reviewed

January 13, 2012May 2, 2012 ~ alison-cullingford ~ Leave a comment

The latest issue of Rare Books Newsletter (91, January 2012) is entirely devoted to reviews of recent books of interest to Special Collections. Find out what librarians, academics and other experts made of publications about manuscripts, early printed books, the historic book trade, bookbindings, a private press and a national library: Alston, R.C.. Inventory of … Continue reading Books about Books Reviewed

52 Weeks of Fantastic Bindings

January 5, 2012 ~ alison-cullingford ~ 1 Comment

For images and helpful information about historic bindings, I highly recommend the 52 Weeks of Fantastic Bindings series of blogs from Special Collections at the University of St Andrews. Masses of beautiful and intriguing books, check out their biggest incunable or this lovely Tennyson edition. A great resource, and a weekly treat!