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University of Exeter Special Collections

@exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social

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Join us in exploring the University of Exeter Library's Special Collections, which include archives, manuscripts, rare books and maps. There's something for everyone, and everyone is welcome. Find out more! ➡️ libguides.exeter.ac.uk/archives

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · Mar 26

The collections are available for everyone to access for research or enjoyment in our Reading Room!

When visiting us, please:
🗓️ Book in advance
🧼 Wash your hands with soap and water
✏️ Bring a pencil or electronic device (no pens!)

Book your visit here ⬇️

LibGuides: Visiting Heritage Collections: Reading Room booking form

libguides.exeter.ac.uk

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 11h

Join us on Wednesday 12 November for a free in-conversation event with author Elisabeth Gifford about her novel 'The Mischief Makers' - and a chance to see some items from the Daphne du Maurier archives!

➡️ www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/autho...

@beinghumanfest.bsky.social #duMaurier #Archives

Poster for the event. It has a red vertical bar on the left side advertising the Being Human Festival 2025 05-15 November. At the top of the main poster is the book cover of 'The Mischief Makers'. Below is a green box with text. The text reads: 'An Author in Daphne du Maurier's Archive. Join the University of Exeter Special Collections for an in-conversation event with the author Elisabeth Gifford to discover how the used Daphne du Maurier's archives to information and inspire her novel 'The Mischief Makers' (2024). Wednesday 12 November 2025. 6pm-7.30pm. Seminar Room A/B, Old LIbrary, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter Ex4 4SB. This event is free, but pre-booking is essential. To book, please visit: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/author-daphne-du-mauriers-archive'. In the bottom right hand corner is a QR code linking to the Being Human Festival website.

Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Exeter Library @exeterlibrary.bsky.social · 13h

🗣️ Stanzas in the Stacks 📚

Did you know that we have a richly varied poetry selection in our stacks? There are thousands of volumes down there, containing millions of verses.

Take a look at some of our more unusual and noteworthy poetic editions here: exeterlibrary.blogsp...

A miniscule collection of aphoristic Chinese verse titled Fragments of Jade may be one of the smallest books we have; its old yellow record card is actually greater in area than the cover of the book and rather spoils the otherwise exquisite aesthetic appeal of this perfectly formed object.

The earth, the sea and the air are the concerns of every nation and sciences technology and education can be the ally of every nation.

The artic ox by Marianne Moore and the cocks of hades by C.A. Trypanis

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Kresen Kernow @kresenkernow.bsky.social · 11h

Monster is the theme for this month’s Explore Your Archives, whether it’s folklore, maps or pantomime, we’ll be exploring our collections for wonderous documents for this spooky-inspired theme!

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 14h

Good morning to everyone but especially to all the octopuses, for today is their special day!

To celebrate World Octopus Day, here's an illustration of an octopus from the book 'The World of the Sea' by Moquin Tandon, published in 1869.

📷 Reserve 591.92 TAN

#WorldOctopusDay #OctopusDay #RareBooks

Cropped image showing an engraving of an octopus

Full-page engraving from a book. It shows an octopus lying on the seabed, with a squid and a cuttlefish coming towards. The cuttlefish is making a cloud. The engraving is captioned: 'Plate XI. A Poulpe. A Cuttle-Fish Making His Cloud. A Calmar'.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Literature Works @literatureworks.bsky.social · 1d

We are thrilled to announce the first ever Exeter Young City Laureate for 2025-26 – Graci Wakely!

We had lots of fantastic applications from Exeter’s young people, but Graci’s application stood out for our selection panel.

literatureworks.org.uk/announcing-t...

#ExeterYoungCityLaureate

Announcing the first Exeter Young City Laureate - Literature Works

Literature Works are thrilled to announce the first ever Exeter Young City Laureate for 2025-26 – Graci Wakely! We had lots of fantastic applications from Exeter’s young people, but Graci’s applicatio...

literatureworks.org.uk

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

MBA Library @nmbluk.bsky.social · 16h

Time for another #cephalopod as today is #WorldOctopusDay! To celebrate our eight armed friends, our Library Assistant has chosen one of her favourite illustrations - Muusoctopus levis from the German Deep-Sea Expedition 'Valdivia' 1898-1899 🐙

colour illustration of the dorsal (top) view of Muusoctopus levis.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Material Culture of Wills Project @materialwills.bsky.social · 15h

There's still time to grab your ticket for a FREE 'WILLS PROJECT' EVENT

Join @lsangha.bsky.social & musician Chris Hoban this Saturday for a FREE performance of history & music inspired by #EarlyModern wills 📜🎵

📍Exeter Phoenix
📅Sat 11 Oct
🕐13.30

Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stories-an...

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

MBA Library @nmbluk.bsky.social · 1d

From our rare books collection we have this illustration of Vampyroteuthis infernalis, also known as the vampire squid from hell. In an order of its own, we don't really think the vampiric moniker is fair either as they actually feed on detritus and not blood #EYAMonsters

A colour illustration of Vampyroteuthis infernalis. The main body is painted black, with eyes painted to look bioluminescent

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 1d

You can find out more about our archives relating to theatre - including the Theatre Royal - in our online guide! ⬇️

These materials are available for everyone to access for research or enjoyment in our reading room.

#TheatreHistory #TheatreArchives #Archives #Exeter @uniofexeterdrama.bsky.social

LibGuides: Special Collections: Drama, Music and Theatre History: Introduction

libguides.exeter.ac.uk

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 1d

On 07 October 1889, the (New) Theatre Royal opened in Exeter. It was demolished in 1962.

Our collections include many items relating to the Theatre Royal, including 2,383 playbills!

#OnThisDay #TheatreHistory #TheatreArchives #Archives #Exeter #ExeterHistory @uniofexeterdrama.bsky.social

Colourised postcard showing the last Theatre Royal on the corner of Longbrook Street and New North Road.

Five Theatre Royal (Exeter) playbills dating from 1891 to 1932

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Devon and Exeter Institution @dexinst.bsky.social · 2d

Just look at the vibrant colours of these marbled endpapers!

They can be found in our copy of ‘Cartas erudítas, y curiosas’ by Benito Jerónimo Feijoo (1777).

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Digital Humanities Lab, Exeter @dhlabexeter.bsky.social · 2d

This term we have been thrilled to welcome a fabulous new set of DH interns!

Internships with the lab are a unique, exciting opportunity for HASS students to learn all the digital research methods and practical skills that the lab has to offer!

#DigitalResearch #CaptureOne #PhaseOne #Photography

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Exeter Cathedral @exetercathedral.bsky.social · 2d

It's #BannedBooksWeek 👀

Our library holds many amazing books once deemed 'dangerous,' even works by botanists Brunfels and Gesner. They survived the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, the Catholic Church's banned list (published 1560-1966).

#ExeterCathedral

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum @bdcmuseum.bsky.social · 2d

We're part of the @exeter.ac.uk #Futures Festival of Discovery on 12th October at Exeter Phoenix, showcasing work-in-progress from the AHRC-funded 'Women's Screenwork in the Archives Made Visible' project.

Come & discover more about the often-hidden histories of women in #filmmaking 📽️ #filmsky

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 2d

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the badgers, for today is their special day!

To celebrate National Badger Day, here is an illustration of a badger from the book 'Animated Nature' (1828) by Georges-Louis Leclerc.

📷 Reserve 590 BUF

#NationalBadgerDay #BadgerDay #RareBooks

Cropped image from a book, showing a colour illustration of a badger standing on a patch of grass, painted in shades of black, white and green.

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 5d

Yes, he was!

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 5d

Find out more about the collection here ➡️ lib-archives.ex.ac.uk/Record.aspx?...

And because they're so charming, here are some further illustrations by Edward Parfitt of fungi found in Devon!

📷 EUL MS 35

#UKFungusDay #Fungi #Fungus #Devon #Archives

Opened page in a notebook showing a watercolour illustration of a turreted starry puffball fungus, with several lines of manuscript notes underneath.

Opened page of a notebook showing an illustration of what might possibly be a russula emetic fungus with a white stem and red cap, and eight lines of manuscript notes underneath.

Opened notebook showing notes and illustration of a fungus painted in a bright orange colour.

Opened notebook to a full-page water-colour illustration of a giant polypore fungus, painted in shades of brown. Includes some notes underneath.

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 5d

Tomorrow is UK Fungus Day! 🍄

Did you know we look after notebooks of botanist Edward Parfitt (1820-1893) relating to Devonshire fungi?

His notes include watercolour illustrations and notes on when and where he observed different types of fungi.

📷 EUL MS 35

#UKFungusDay #Fungi #Devon #Archives

A display of the collection on a table. A notebook is placed on a book cushion and opened to a page with notes and an illustration of fungi. Around the cushion four other notebooks are laid out, all entitled ‘Devonshire Fungi’. In the foreground are some loose papers, including illustrations and notes on fungi. In the background are shelves of historic books.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Penlee House Gallery & Museum @penleehousegallery.bsky.social · 6d

Throwback Thursday 📸
Penzance Promenade, c.1910
Gibson & Sons

A photograph of the promenade with three stylish ladies approaching the photographer. The sea railings were replaced with a new design in 1896, and the whole area was paved in the following year.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 6d

Just came across this very very excellent @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social photo of Sir Viv Richards receiving an honorary degree from Exeter in 1986. Surely later also awarded 'Best Dressed Graduate'.

specialcollectionsarchive.exeter.ac.uk/items/show/630

A man in a very sharp white suite and red and blue academic gowns bows his head and touches his hat towards a man in front of him also wearing academic gowns.

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 6d

Did you know more than 33 poets associated with South West England are represented in our archives?

Find out more in our online guide! ⬇️

#NationalPoetryDay #Archives #LiteraryArchives

LibGuides: Special Collections: South West Writers: Introduction

libguides.exeter.ac.uk

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 6d

Happy National Poetry Day!

Poetry can be written in many different forms and on many different mediums, as the literary archives in our care show.

For example, this poem by the poet Ronald Duncan was written on a paper plate!

📷 EUL MS 397/2/10/2

#NationalPoetryDay #Archives #LiteraryArchives

Paper plate with a dark and light blue rim. The poem is written in blue pen and is entitled 'Epitaph for a Friend'.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

Bristol Libraries @bristollibraries.bsky.social · 6d

🎧 STREET! launches today on #NationalPoetryDay!
A digital poetry project placing GPS-triggered soundpools outside 12 Bristol libraries.

Walk into a soundpool & hear poems about street life, neighbourhoods & local vibes.

📱 Find out more and download the app: ralphhoyte.org/home/street/

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 6d

Yesterday marked 47 years since St Luke's (teacher training) College merged with the University of Exeter.

This University Archive throwback shows St Luke's (then the Diocesan Training School) in 1855.

📷 EUL UA/add.29; digitised by @dhlabexeter.bsky.social

#ThrowbackThursday #UniOfExeterArchive

Illustration showing a view of the North front of St Luke's as seen from Heavitree Road. The towers of the Cathedral can be seen in the distance. In front of St Luke's a person rides by on a horse, and two women stroll with parasols.

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Reposted by University of Exeter Special Collections

The Devon and Exeter Institution @dexinst.bsky.social · 7d

Read the full blog on our website: devonandexeterinstitution.org/people-talki...

PEOPLE TALKING: Exeter oral history 1975-1979 - The Devon and Exeter Institution

This blog was researched and written by Jenny Lloyd. “We had a joint of meat every day. But the family next door … they were really poor. The children sat […]

devonandexeterinstitution.org

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