Dr Mark Purcell
@camlibresearch.bsky.social
Director, Research and Collections, Cambridge University Libraries and Archives and CUL Research Institute; Bye-Fellow, Pembroke College; FSA FRHistS; University Deputy Proctor; The Country House Library (Yale, 2017); private views
Still reflecting two months on about an unbelievably amazing trip to Egypt in December.
February 4, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Still reflecting two months on about an unbelievably amazing trip to Egypt in December.
Just a few weeks ago I was here. Now I am in Cambridge, and it’s raining.
February 3, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Just a few weeks ago I was here. Now I am in Cambridge, and it’s raining.
Feels like the first day of spring.
January 31, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Feels like the first day of spring.
Another Cambridge at dusk view. Absolutely wonderful.
January 30, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Another Cambridge at dusk view. Absolutely wonderful.
All looking very splendid at twilight.
January 30, 2026 at 5:09 PM
All looking very splendid at twilight.
Good fun to go to the Metropolitan Club on Thursday.
January 24, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Good fun to go to the Metropolitan Club on Thursday.
Dossier of press clippings at the Grolier Club - and learning of a direct link between the sale of two unique Caxtons from York Minster (now Morgan Library) and the foundation of @thefnl.bsky.social - news of sales broken in Times, 18 March 1931; FNL announced in Times, 21 March 1931. Fascinating.
January 22, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Dossier of press clippings at the Grolier Club - and learning of a direct link between the sale of two unique Caxtons from York Minster (now Morgan Library) and the foundation of @thefnl.bsky.social - news of sales broken in Times, 18 March 1931; FNL announced in Times, 21 March 1931. Fascinating.
Intrigued as always to see this at the Grolier Club. It’s a library catalogue for the 2nd Earl Spencer’s library at Althorp, now Grolier Club, New York. Another one went to @thejohnrylands.bsky.social along with the books in 1894. This was the travelling version, for book buying trips across Europe.
January 22, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Intrigued as always to see this at the Grolier Club. It’s a library catalogue for the 2nd Earl Spencer’s library at Althorp, now Grolier Club, New York. Another one went to @thejohnrylands.bsky.social along with the books in 1894. This was the travelling version, for book buying trips across Europe.
Always good to see …
January 22, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Always good to see …
Back at the Grolier Club, New York City.
January 22, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Back at the Grolier Club, New York City.
Patience and Fortitude. It’s so cold that I’m running out of both.
January 20, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Patience and Fortitude. It’s so cold that I’m running out of both.
Back in the Gilded Age.
January 20, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Back in the Gilded Age.
Walking in the cold and snow.
January 19, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Walking in the cold and snow.
Cold and blizzardy in Midtown tonight
January 19, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Cold and blizzardy in Midtown tonight
By contrast with my previous posting; the resident cat is chilling.
January 14, 2026 at 7:24 PM
By contrast with my previous posting; the resident cat is chilling.
Fascinating to see this @theul.bsky.social today - Newton’s drawing of his reflecting telescope, made in 1668.
January 12, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Fascinating to see this @theul.bsky.social today - Newton’s drawing of his reflecting telescope, made in 1668.
Walking to work - just the slightest hint of spring, or at least of sunshine after a weekend of rain.
January 12, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Walking to work - just the slightest hint of spring, or at least of sunshine after a weekend of rain.
Snowy Cambridge
January 5, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Snowy Cambridge
Snowy Cambridge
January 5, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Snowy Cambridge
Toasting up and keeping warm on a cold January evening in Cambridge. Will it snow overnight?
January 4, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Toasting up and keeping warm on a cold January evening in Cambridge. Will it snow overnight?
Huge blocks of Roman masonry from Wroxeter embedded in the north wall of the church at Atcham: with view onto the glorious eighteenth-century bridge over the Severn (which looks like it should be on the Tiber). “Ashes under Uricon” - and Housman’s cold wind is as cold as ever in Shropshire today.
January 3, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Huge blocks of Roman masonry from Wroxeter embedded in the north wall of the church at Atcham: with view onto the glorious eighteenth-century bridge over the Severn (which looks like it should be on the Tiber). “Ashes under Uricon” - and Housman’s cold wind is as cold as ever in Shropshire today.
An excellent pint at the splendidly-named Mytton and Mermaid in Shropshire. The best pint I have had for a while - an excellent bitter from over the Welsh border.
January 3, 2026 at 3:20 PM
An excellent pint at the splendidly-named Mytton and Mermaid in Shropshire. The best pint I have had for a while - an excellent bitter from over the Welsh border.
At Acton Burnell in Shropshire - church and castle built by Edward I’s Chancellor, Robert Burnell. Snow, and more threatened.
January 3, 2026 at 2:46 PM
At Acton Burnell in Shropshire - church and castle built by Edward I’s Chancellor, Robert Burnell. Snow, and more threatened.
Enjoyed seeing this today. @pembroke1347.bsky.social as depicted by Rudolph Ackermann in 1815.
January 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Enjoyed seeing this today. @pembroke1347.bsky.social as depicted by Rudolph Ackermann in 1815.
Finally getting over impending hypothermia - so cold here now. Lunch.
December 31, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Finally getting over impending hypothermia - so cold here now. Lunch.