Very cool note in the 1996 NLA ed. of Rose de Freycinet's voyage diary pointing out the diff. between drawing made in W. Australia on the spot in 1818 (R) showing Rose next to a tent and the published version(L) in French naval report in 1825 (no Rose- she was on board illicitly)

Scribe assistant applying ink to the seal ring of the chief scribe/seal-bearer. We all know seal rings, but rarely think of how they were inked. Here's how. Well, one of the ways. A small thing like this makes my day and I hope you'll enjoy it too! NY Met, 13.228.7, f64.

A brief thread of dissertation fellowships for US grad students in the humanities & social sciences to do research that don't exist anymore: 1. SSRC-ACLS IDRF ssrc.org/programs/idrf/…

Check out this pristine stack of 1851-52 newspapers in which Uncle Tom's Cabin was serialized. Not sure if they survive because they were well-cared for at the time by an enthusiast or found in a remainder pile years later unread & recognized as valuable christies.com/lot/lot-6430119

I missed this yesterday. One of the great bibliophiles of the last century. Obit for Charles Blockson. news.temple.edu/news/2023-06-2… and news.temple.edu/news/2023-06-2…

Happening now! library.upenn.edu/events/africa-… still time to join

Ugh - facets - so persnickety.

Reposting this today. One of the few sensible things written on what's going on here at Penn. From a thoughtful member of our history faculty: thedp.com/article/2023/1…

I don't have time to pull this article apart, but remember--when you see a big shift like this in a Google Ngram chart it almost always indicates a change in the books libraries collect, NOT some deep shift in human society that happens to fit a narrative you're attached to (1/3)

Congratulations Elizabeth

In memoriam, Will Noel, the John T. Maltsberger III '55 Associate University Librarian for Special Collections at Princeton University, written by four colleagues at the library. A devastating loss for our community, but his example lives on in the work he enabled library.princeton.edu/news/general/2…

Recently, two of our authors have had their US visas revoked and talks canceled. As a university press, we stand with our authors. For over 100 years, we have stood for academic freedom and open discourse, and continue to do so. Read more⬇️ uncpressblog.com/2025/01/31/aca…

THIS is the fire I want to see from every Dem: “Elon Musk, you may have illegally seized power over financial systems of the Treasury but you don't control money of American people. Congress does that. We don't have a 4th branch of gov called 'Elon Musk.’”

Read the American Association of University Professors statement here: aaup.org/file/Against_A…

Speaking as a former U.S. anti-corruption official, this is not a thing.

Amidst the ongoing drumbeat of terrible news - couldn't help but chuckle at this must-have item in the collection find.library.upenn.edu/catalog/993736…

A note for a Friday - sentiments which I think many of us feel but get lost in the noise of constant terrible news. I’m ashamed by this country's leaders and those who enable them, treat them as good faith actors, or normalize their behavior.

Not only am I opposed to their policies and philosophy of governance, but their personal conduct, their indifference to suffering, their pleasure in the downfall of others, and their moral emptiness are deeply disturbing and should alarm everyone regardless of political beliefs.

That "America First" is even a viable political slogan is a stain on us all. It is a morally indefensible sentiment and has roots in a history of bigotry, nativism, and fear. We can be much better than this.

Have been fairly quiet on social media because it seems futile but futility is better than nothing. Armed masked men questioning people on the street about their place or birth is outrageous and shameful.