Friends’ NEWSLETTER Summer 2016 – Winter 2016/17

HRH THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE FORMALLY OPENS THE BODLEIAN’S

RH the Duke of Cambridge for- H mally opened the Bodleian’s Weston Library on 11 May 2016, following a three- year redevelopment by Wilkinson Eyre Architects. More than 250 invited guests, including many of the donors who sup- ported the project, gathered in the Library’s new Blackwell Hall to watch as the Duke unveiled a plaque to mark the major trans- formation of the building. In his speech the Duke said: ‘Everything stored here, or placed here for special exhi- bitions, for students, and non-students alike will help us come into a better understand- ing of the past so that we may go into the future more fully equipped to deal with the challenges that face us.’ His Royal Highness then signed the Library’s Visitors’ Book, and was presented with a specially bound copy of Marks of Genius, a book showcasing over 130 of the Bodleian’s greatest treasures, as well as two children’s books published by the Bodleian Library, entitled Penguin’s Way and Veronica. Prince William was then introduced to HRH The Duke of Cambridge unveils a plaque to mark the major transformation of the Weston Library, some of the major benefactors who sup- and (below) visits the Bodleian’s conservation studio and is shown a 13th century ‘Glossed Bible’ ported the redevelopment of the Library by Senior Book Conservator Sabina Pugh (images IWP Photographic) including Guy Weston, Chairman of the Garfield Weston Foundation; Julian During his visit Prince William was given AWA RDS Blackwell, President of Blackwell’s; and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Library’s Nigel Portwood, Chief Executive of state-of-the-art facilities. In the Library’s ince its public opening in March 2015, University Press. The Duke was also intro- conservation studio he was shown several Sthe Weston Library has seen over a mil- duced to Mr SH (Sangho) Jo, President treasures by Sabina Pugh (the recipient of lion visitors and has earned high praise from and CEO of Samsung Electronics UK and the award from The Radcliffe Trust, the the architecture and design communities. In Ireland, which has provided technology Balfour of Burleigh Tercentenary Prize for addition to being shortlisted for the RIBA throughout the Weston Library to help bring Exceptional Achievement in Crafts), includ- Stirling Prize (the most prestigious architec- the Bodleian’s historic collections to life. ing a magnificent 13th-century Glossed tural recognition in the UK), the building Bible. The book came to the Bodleian from has won a RIBA National Award, a RIBA the Library of King Henry VIII in the 16th South Regional Award, the RIBA South century and has been expertly restored by Building of the Year 2016, the Architects’ staff conservators. Journal 2016 Building of the Year Award, The Duke also visited the Rare Books Architects’ Journal 2016 Retrofit Award, and and Manuscripts Reading Room, where an Oxford Preservation Trust Award. he was shown a display of historic objects, including the key used by King George VI, the Prince’s great-grandfather, to officially Bodley’s Librarian open in 1946 what was then called the New Bodleian Library. ACQUISITIONS

RECENTLY DISCOVERED MAP OF MIDDLE-EARTH

the map is a working document that Tolkien and Baynes annotated in 1969 when Baynes was commissioned to produce a poster map of Middle-earth. At the time, The Lord of the Rings had never been illustrated so Tolkien was keen to ensure that Middle-earth was accurately depicted. Tolkien’s copious anno- tations can be seen on the map in green ink or pencil, most notably his comments equating key places in Middle-earth with real cities, for example ‘Hobbiton is assumed to be approx. at [the] latitude of Oxford.’ He also specified the colours of the ships to be painted on the poster map and the designs on their sails, as well as noting where animals should appear, writing ‘Elephants appear in the Great battle outside Minas Tirith’. The map has joined the Bodleian’s Tolkien archive, the largest collection of original Tolkien manuscripts and drawings in the world. On the day of the Friends’ AGM the map was shown in the Weston Library as part of the display of items acquired or donated through the Friends of the Bodleian. It was originally meant to be displayed just for that day, but due to popular demand the display was extended for another day.

The newly acquired map of Middle-earth, MS. Tolkien Drawings 132 Catherine McIlwaine Tolkien Archivist ith the Friends’ help the Library to illustrate his works during his lifetime. It Wacquired late last year a map which went unseen for decades until October 2015, had previously belonged to Pauline Baynes when Blackwell’s Rare Books department in (1922–2008), the acclaimed illustrator who Oxford offered it for sale. was the only artist approved by J.R.R. Tolkien Originally drawn by Christopher Tolkien,

TRADESCANT BOOK he Friends have supported the acquisi- from the catalogue entry for MS. Ashmole Ttion of an early printed book by Sir 824, which contains ‘A Voiag of ambasad [to Roger Williams, The Actions of the Lowe Russia] undertaken by the right honnorable Countries (London: by Humfrey Lownes, Sr Dudlie Diggs, in the year 1618’. At the 1618), which contains brief notes in the time the Ashmole catalogue was published, hand of John Tradescant the Elder. The the hand had not been identified, but it was book was given to Tradescant by the editor very soon established that the ‘rude hand’ of the work, Sir Peter Manwood, the judge was that of Tradescant the Elder. The notes and antiquary. Manwood’s name appears in in the present volume relate directly to the the famous Ashmole Bestiary (MS. Ashmole voyage to Russia of 1618. They list items to 1511), which he acquired in 1609. He gave be stowed aboard ship, and include botanical several books and manuscripts to the and animal specimens. Bodleian in 1620. The Library has another copy of the Mike Webb printed book, but the interest of this Curator of Early Modern Archives and item lies in Tradescant’s own notes. They Manuscripts comprise just one page, on a blank leaf preceding the title-page, in ‘a rude hand, and by a person unskilled in composition’. Handwritten notes in the newly acquired This description of Tradescant’s hand comes Tradescant book, MS. Don. e. 249 TREASURES FROM THE ROBERT PIRIE COLLECTION rare manuscript of one of ’s these important works by leading English since its discovery in the 1970s because it A most famous poems; a letter by the writers and thinkers back to the UK. contains clues about the evolution of the influential philosopher John Locke; and a One of the items purchased by the text, for example it omits portions of the John Aubrey book about the supernatural, Bodleian is an early manuscript of John poem known from other manuscript ver- liberally annotated by the Oxford scientist Donne’s poem Meditation upon a Good Friday, sions and has Donne taking a different route Robert Hooke, are among the treasures the ryding from London towards Exceter, westward. In on his journey westward. Bodleian has recently acquired at a very this religious poem, written in 1613, Donne All the acquired items have an Oxford competitive auction at Sotheby’s, New York. contemplates the fact that his thoughts are in connection and are a perfect complement The items belonged to the late American the east, where Christ died, while he himself to the Bodleian’s existing holdings. They are bibliophile Robert Pirie, whose collection is riding west. This particular copy is written already attracting attention from the schol- of 16th and 17th-century English literature in the hand of Sir Nathaniel Rich, a colonial arly community. was considered one of, if not the, finest in investor and politician, who was friends with the world. The Friends of the Bodleian were Donne and probably made this copy in the Dr Christopher Fletcher among many donors who helped to bring 1620s. It has attracted interest from scholars Keeper of Special Collections

CARTHUSIAN DEVOTIONAL MANUSCRIPT FROM STRASBOURG

he manuscripts collected by the for- of the book, written in Latin on paper in packed house at the Taylorian Institution. Tmidable French-Alsatian politician a mostly informal cursive script, combine The following day friends and colleagues of Maurice Burrus (1882-1959) were not well para-liturgical exercises (linked to the litur- Professor Nigel Palmer, Emeritus Professor known before their appearance at Christie’s gical hours but not forming part of the of Medieval German, many of whom had for auction in May last year. But with the formal liturgy) with devotional texts centred contributed to the purchase in his honour, prompt and generous support of the Friends, on the Passion. Such devotional compen- gathered to begin discussing it in the Weston the Library was able to secure a 15th-century dia have been little studied and many texts Library. The acquisition and these associated devotional manuscript of the highest inter- remain unedited. This manuscript promises activities were planned by Professor Henrike est, still in its original binding of battered but to make a major contribution to the study Lähnemann, Professor Palmer’s successor, to apparently unrestored limp covers of alum- of Carthusian book production, and to the whom the Bodleian is grateful for unstint- tawed skin, with link-stitch sewing through influence of this semi-eremitical order on ing support. a tanned leather spine support. forms of spiri tuality both lay and religious. A partially erased inscription reveals that The purchase of the manuscript was Martin Kauffmann the manuscript belonged to the Carthusian unveiled on 28 October, when Dr Stephen Head of Early and Rare Collections and house at Strasbourg, and is a rare survival Mossman of the University of Manchester Tolkien Curator of Medieval Manuscripts from that dispersed library. The contents lectured on late medieval Strasbourg to a

MS. Don. e. 250, binding PARRY MANUSCRIPTS ir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry composer’s student years at Oxford in the S(1848–1918) is an important figure in 1860s. Although most of the manuscripts the history of English music, having risen are listed in Professor Jeremy Dibble’s major to the top of the musical establishment as biography of the composer (C. Hubert H. Director of the Parry: his Life and Music. Oxford: Clarendon (1895–1918) and Heather Professor of Music Press, 1992), they have been largely inac- at Oxford (1900–1908). He was highly influ- cessible to scholars. Alongside a number of ential to a generation of British musicians sketches and compositional drafts, there are and a major force in the so-called ‘English a few complete (or almost complete) pieces, Musical Renaissance’. To the general public, including a setting of the evening canticles he is known as the composer of ‘Jerusalem’, (which was sung recently at Gloucester the hymn-tune ‘Repton,’ and the coronation Cathedral) and some movements for string anthem ‘I was glad’; but he also wrote much quartet which are likely to receive a perfor- other fine music, including choral works, mance in 2017. Together with other Parry chamber music, and five symphonies. manuscripts at the Bodleian, they provide Most of Parry’s surviving music manu- valuable evidence for his early development scripts are divided between the Bodleian, the as a composer. Royal College of Music, and Eton College. The Bodleian’s existing Parry holdings Martin Holmes extend to nearly 50 bound volumes of music Alfred Brendel Curator of Music manuscripts. A substantial series of letters, written to the composer by his wife-to-be and also dating from this early period, has An unpublished piece for string quartet from the also recently been acquired. This collection Highnam Parry papers, signed and dated at end: of early music manuscripts dates from the ‘Oxford, May 20, 1867’, MS. Mus. b. 401

DONATIONS

ARCHIVE OF ANTHONY HOBSON embers of the Friends will be pleased Dr Hobson’s papers on the history of because Anthony Hobson’s work marked a Mto learn that the Library has acquired bookbinding contain notes, scholarly cor- new approach to the history of bookbind- the papers of the late Dr A. R. A. (Anthony) respondence, photographs and rubbings ing: he sought to bring together the study Hobson, the distinguished scholar of of bookbindings, annotated and extra- and identification of binders and workshops Renaissance bookbinding and member of illustrated volumes (including copies of with artistic patronage and humanist interest the Friends’ Council for more than 20 years. his own publications), and similar mate- in the Renaissance. Researchers have already He had long-standing connections with rial which had belonged to his father, G. been in touch with the Library, expressing the , taking a wartime D. Hobson, himself an expert in the history interest in viewing parts of the collection. degree at New College in 1941 and a D.Litt. of bindings. The acquisition of these papers in 1992. He was also a Visiting Fellow of All complements admirably material already Alan Coates Souls in 1982-3, Lyell Reader in Bibliography in the Bodleian’s holdings. However, the Assistant Librarian, Rare Books for 1990-1, and a member of the Academic Hobson papers also stand on their own as Board of Advisers of the Library’s Incunable an important scholarly resource for the his- Cataloguing Project during the 1990s. tory of Renaissance bookbinding. This is

YORKSHIRE MAPS n December 2015 the Map Room was Other cartographers represented are: Yorkshire. Two of the maps do not appear in Idelighted to receive a generous donation G. Cole, George Kemp, Thomas Kitchin, the standard cartobibliographies of Yorkshire of 14 antiquarian maps from Geoffrey Eibl- Edward Langley, Herman Moll, Robert – they were dated by inspecting the extent Kaye. Eight of the maps in this set are of the Morden, William Schmollinger, John Seller, of the railway network in the mid-19th cen- West Riding of Yorkshire, another focuses and John and Charles Walker, covering a tury. All 14 maps have now been catalogued on the North Riding, and three show the period from around 1630 to the mid-19th to antiquarian standards on SOLO, with whole of the shire. Two maps are of eastern century. the provenance note including the donor’s , from Yorkshire down to Norfolk, This eclectic collection includes many name. and the final one is the cartographer Peter maps not previously held by the Bodleian, van den Keere’s map of Great Britain pub- thus greatly improving the range of the Nick Millea lished in 1661. Library’s holdings for county mapping of Map Librarian UNUSUAL DONATION – A PIECE OF LAPIS LAZULI ROCK

avid Margulies donated a beautiful Dpiece of lapis lazuli to the Bodleian, following a seminar where he gave an his- toric account of this material and its usages as well as a practical session dedicated to the preparation of ultramarine. Transforming lapis lazuli rock into pigment helped the understanding of the visual characteristics of ultramarine, how it was used by the artists in manuscript illumination and illustration, and the way in which it degrades. It appears on many of the Library’s treasures from the veil of the Virgin in medieval bibles to the shamsa of Persian manuscripts, and the sea of maps.

Donated lapis lazuli (detail) next to ultramarine pigment as used in the Al Idrisi’s map of the world, MS. Pococke 375

This rock is now part of the collection ultramarine ash, mostly composed of col- of materials used to make pigments in ourless material. the Conservation Studio; several grades of natural ultramarine pigment can be made: Marinita Stiglitz from the purest, and ruinously expensive, Head of Paper Conservation, deep blue, containing mostly lazurite blue Conservation and Collection Care particles – to a pale grey-blue known as

EXHIBITIONS

ARMENIA: MASTERPIECES FROM AN ENDURING CULTURE 23 OCTOBER 2015 – 28 FEBRUARY 2016

he ’ 2015 winter Texhibition Armenia’s Enduring Culture celebrated over 2,500 years of Armenian history from its first mention, carved into stone, in the reign of King Darius I (ca. 550-486 BCE) to the modern Republic of Armenia and the numerous diaspora com- munities worldwide. Yet endurance can also refer to the suf- fering and hardship which has befallen the Armenians. 2015 marked the centenary of the genocide against the Armenian popula- tion of the Ottoman Empire by the Young Turk government during World War I. In their honour over one hundred items spanning more than two thousand years of cultural history were displayed: from King Tigranes II the Great’s coins minted in the 1st century BCE, through some sumptu- ous and other more modestly decorated manuscripts from the Middle Ages, to the treasured objects of survivors of the 1915 genocide. ‘Adoration of the Magi’ in an Armenian Lectionary, MS. Arm. c. 1 SHAKESPEARE’S DEAD, 22 APRIL – 18 SEPTEMBER 2016 houlish skeletons, dark texts, and illus- Gtrations from Shakespeare’s time to the modern day drew thousands of visitors to the Shakespeare’s Dead exhibition, which marked the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. The exhibition revealed how Shakespeare brought dying, death, and the dead to life. It featured gems from the Bodleian’s collec- tions, such as a copy of the famous First Folio, the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, and the earliest edition of Romeo and Juliet. Historic items such as these were displayed alongside contemporary inter- pretations of death in Shakespeare’s works including a life-sized replica of Desdemona’s deathbed, an animated film created from local schoolchildren’s drawings, and Oxford- based artist Tom de Freston’s triptych based on the ‘Dover cliff’ scene in King Lear. A special ballet performance by The Yorke Dance Project in the Weston Library marked the final day of the exhibition. The contem- porary ballet company presented excerpts from Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s rarely- performed work, Sea of Troubles, based on The Bodleian’s First Folio: Mr William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. Published Shakespeare’s Hamlet. according to the true original copies. London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed. Blount, 1623, Arch. G c.7

BODLEIAN TREASURES, 25 FEBRUARY 2016 – 19 FEBRUARY 2017

he first display in the new Weston TLibrary’s Treasury, the especially designed exhibition space, is entitled Bodleian Treasures: 24 Pairs and presents some of the best of the 12 million items in the Bodleian’s collections displayed in 24 pairs. Familiar icons of the Libraries’ extraordinary hold- ings are shown alongside the less familiar, opening new avenues into the wealth of the famous collections. Some pairs show the influence of one item on another, some explore a similar theme, evoke a particular period, or provide a visual dimension to the display. Others still consider the very idea of a ‘treasure’. The magnificent items featured in the exhibition span more than 2,000 years, ten languages, and many formats from photo- graphs to copper printing plates, and from ‘treasure’ bindings made of precious metals, gems, silk, and ivory to treasures that have been found hidden in bindings, includ- ‘Caedmon’ manuscript (MS. Junius 11) paired with Lewis Carroll’s ing important fragments of late medieval Through the looking glass (Arch. AA e.64), both with figural illustrations polyphonic music. Rare books are joined together with manuscripts while modern has never been on public display before. The ivory binding, the earliest document in the ephemera sit alongside 400-year-old rolls, exhibition also includes: C. S. Lewis’ Map of Oxford University Archives on a medieval drawing out themes and unique stories that Narnia, the earliest surviving manuscript for case of town-gown strife, a manuscript of bring the pairs together. about half of Plato’s Dialogues, a letter writ- Alan Bennett’s play Kafka’s Dick, Holst’s The oldest items on display are fragments ten by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli on score of The Planets, and the first book from a papyrus roll of Sappho’s poems, while meeting Queen Victoria, a bill for playing printed in Oxford. one of the most recent items is a photo- cards and decanters from Oscar Wilde’s time graphic portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi that in Oxford, an 11th-century Gospel with LIBRARY NEWS

FOUR DISTINGUISHED RECIPIENTS OF THE BODLEY MEDAL

he Bodley Medal is awarded by the Sir Nicholas Hytner, the outgoing Christopher Tolkien, son of renowned TBodleian Libraries of the University Director of the National Theatre. One of author J.R.R. Tolkien. Christopher Tolkien of Oxford to individuals who have made his main successes was the diversity of the is a scholar and editor who has spent the outstanding contributions to the worlds repertoire for a more cross-cultural society last 40 years editing his father’s posthu- in which the Bodleian is active, including and audience. He was behind the National mously published work, ensuring that his literature, culture, science, and communica- Theatre’s contribution to the regeneration father’s rich literary legacy can be read by tion. The last recipient of the Bodley Medal of the South Bank, to the transformation all. The edition he produced of his father’s was novelist Ian McEwan, who received the of facilities for education and participation, unpublished translation of the great Anglo- honour in 2014. Past winners also include and to keeping ahead of new technologies Saxon epic Beowulf in 2014 fulfilled a novelist Hilary Mantel, writer and actor Alan and the changing needs of theatre artists and major desideratum from scholars and lov- Bennett, film director Lord Attenborough, audiences. The Bodley Medal was presented ers of Tolkien’s imaginative literature alike. author P. D. James, and inventor of the world by Bodley’s Librarian, Richard Ovenden, in Tolkien also wrote a great deal of poetry wide web Sir Tim Berners-Lee. March 2015 following a public talk between and prose connected to his fantasy world In the last couple of years, the Bodleian Hytner and renowned playwright Alan Middle-earth, which was not published has presented this prestigious award to the Bennett in the . Bennett during his lifetime. Christopher Tolkien has following recipients: and Hytner have collaborated on several edited scores of these manuscripts includ- projects including the plays The History ing The Silmarillion, a collection of Tolkien Jim Eyre, the co-founder of Wilkinson Boys, The Lady in the Van, and The Madness works that tell the story of the First Age Eyre, one of the UK’s leading architectural of George III. of Middle-earth. He also wrote a 12-vol- practices. Established in 2006, the company ume series of books called The History of has managed a diverse range of high-profile Mary Beard, one of Britain’s best-known Middle-earth describing the evolution of a cultural, educational, and infrastructure pro- classicists. Professor Beard holds a chair of unique imagined world. The latest example jects. Mr Eyre has previously led projects classics at the University of Cambridge of his editorial work is Beren and Lúthien, at the Museum of London, the Science and is classics editor for the Times Literary a Middle-earth romance between a man Museum, and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Supplement. She is well known for her and an elf, which will be published in Kew. He provided the architectural vision numerous books and television documen- May 2017. Christopher Tolkien’s editorial for the transformative renovation of the taries on the classical period, including the work on his father’s manuscripts is under- New Bodleian Library, now the Weston Wolfson Award-winning book Pompeii: the pinned by his own academic career at the Library, leading the modernization of this Life of a Roman Town, the BBC television University of Oxford. He studied English at Grade II-listed building originally designed documentary series Pompeii, and Meet the Trinity College and earned a BLitt in Old by Sir . Mr Eyre’s thor- Romans with Mary Beard. The presentation of Norse Literature. He went on to become ough understanding of cultural spaces and the Bodley Medal followed a talk during the a Fellow and Tutor in English Language at his passion for libraries was a driving force Oxford Literary Festival, when she appeared New College and a University Lecturer in behind the success of this three-year project in conversation with Bodley’s Librarian Early English Language and Literature from to breathe new life into the 1930s structure Richard Ovenden, who introduced her 1964 to 1975. and open up the building and the collections as a ‘prodigious scholarly phenomenon’. to the scholarly community in Oxford and Speaking in front of a packed audience at beyond. For the first time the general pub- the Sheldonian Theatre, Professor Beard dis- lic is able to enter the Weston Library and cussed her life and work ranging from her enjoy exhibitions, talks, and displays cen- childhood interest in the ancient world to tred on the Bodleian’s outstanding special her latest book, SPQR: a History of Ancient collections. Rome, and her role as an outspoken female academic.

From the left: Jim Eyre, Nicholas Hytner (photo: John Cairns, © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford), Mary Beard and Christopher Tolkien (photo: François Deladerrière / © The Tolkien Estate Limited 2016) HIGH-TECH IMAGING UNCOVERS DETAILS OF MEXICAN CODEX, ca. 1560

esearchers from the Bodleian Libraries that has been covered with gesso, a white of archaeological remains from southern Rand from universities in the Netherlands plaster made from gypsum and chalk, and Mexico,’ Snjiders added. have used hyperspectral imaging to reveal folded in a concertina format into a 20-page Working with the Humanities Division pictographic scenes hidden from view for document. Until now, no other technique in the University of Oxford, the Libraries almost 500 years in one of the most impor- has been able to unveil the concealed nar- acquired the hyperspectral scanner in 2014 tant artefacts of early Mexican culture. rative in a non-invasive way. Hyperspectral with the support of the University’s Fell Codex Selden is one of fewer than 20 known imaging helped to reveal an abundance of Fund. Once a technique used by astrophysi- Mexican codices to have survived from pre- images without damaging the extremely cists to study the colour of stars, hyperspectral colonial and early colonial Mexico. These vulnerable item. ‘We can confirm thatCodex imaging is now used by Bodleian researchers codices use a complex system of pictures and Selden is indeed a palimpsest,’ said Ludo to reveal hidden text and images, and iden- symbols in bright colours to narrate centu- Snijders from Leiden University, who con- tify unknown substances and pigments with ries of conquering dynasties and genealogies ducted the research with David Howell from a high degree of accuracy. Researchers have as well as wars and the history of ancient the Bodleian Libraries and Tim Zaman from recently used the scanner to clarify the text cities. the University of Delft. This is the first time of the famous Bakhshali manuscript from Since the 1950s, scholars have suspected an early Mexican codex has been proven to India, which includes the first known use of that Codex Selden is a palimpsest, an older be a palimpsest. ‘What’s interesting is that the zero in a manuscript; to analyse the medieval document that has been covered up and text we’ve found doesn’t match that of other Gough Map, the earliest surviving map to reused to make the manuscript that is cur- early Mixtec manuscripts. The genealogy we show the coastline of Britain in a recogniz- rently visible. Codex Selden consists of a see appears to be unique, which means it able form, and to reveal a hidden devil in a five-metre-long strip composed of deer hide may prove invaluable for the interpretation centuries-old Armenian gospel-book.

Before and after. Images copyright © Journal of Archeological Science: Reports, 2016 Elsevier OXFORD LIBRARIES VOTED BEST IN THE UK FOR THE FOURTH YEAR RUNNING

or the fourth year in a row, students over the past seven years. The survey runs nationally recognised format, covering six Fhave rated Oxford’s libraries as the best annually across all publicly funded Higher areas, including teaching, assessment, aca- in the UK. The results of the 2016 National Education Institutions (HEIs) in England, demic support, organisation, and learning Student Survey (NSS) revealed that 97% of Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as par- resources. This year nearly 500,000 stu- students at the University of Oxford felt the ticipating HEIs in Scotland and, since 2008, dents responded. The results are published libraries’ resources and services met their Further Education Colleges in England with on Unistats.com, where further valuable needs, the highest satisfaction score of any directly funded higher education students. information is offered to prospective stu- UK university. Oxford’s libraries have con- The NSS asks final-year undergraduates dents and their advisors. sistently been at or near the top of the poll to provide feedback on their courses in a

GENEROUS BOOK DONATION FROM THE SUPREME COURT LIBRARY OF KOREA TO THE

he Supreme Court Library of Korea As part of the agreement, the Supreme Bodleian Law Library to be a UK Centre Thas entered into a generous partner- Court Library of Korea has donated more of Excellence for the study of Korean law ship with the Bodleian Law Library that than 100 books to the Bodleian Law Library. and comparative studies,’ said Ruth Bird, will provide students and scholars at the The books, which are all recently published Bodleian Law Librarian. ‘This very gener- University of Oxford with access to an commentaries and textbooks, provide up- ous donation will enable us to offer those extensive range of books about Korean to-date information on all aspects of Korean studying comparative law a whole new law. In August 2016 Judge Kee Jurng Kim, law, ranging from property rights and trade jurisdiction that previously wasn’t well rep- President of the Supreme Court Library of law to intellectual property and internet resented in our collections.’ Korea and Presiding Judge of Seoul High law. In addition, the institution has agreed Court, visited the Bodleian Law Library to donate further legal books each year. to sign a Memorandum of Understanding ‘We are honoured that the Supreme between the institutions. Court Library of Korea has chosen the

3D PROSTHETIC HANDS very cost-effective way to produce hands to a custom fit; the plastic hands cost £30-50 to make, a fraction of the cost of traditional prosthetic hands, and can be assembled rela- tively quickly. Thanks to generous funding from the Helen Roll Charity, the Radcliffe Science Library houses two 3D printers and two 3D scanners. These machines are available to all University students and staff, giving them the chance to learn about this cutting-edge technology and stimulate ideas about how 3D printing can be used in teaching, learn- ing, and research.

Prosthetic hands printed at the Radcliffe Science Library

The Bodleian’s Radcliffe Science Library project’s website, to show charities in Sierra (RSL) has been involved in an exciting and Leone the potential use for people who have innovative project with the Department for lost limbs due to the civil war and the blood Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at diamonds trade. the Churchill Hospital. Ed Choi, a researcher Two plastic hands were printed and taken in the department, has been using the RSL’s on show to the Makambo Amputee Camp 3D printers to create 3D prosthetic hands, in Sierra Leone where a ‘fitting ceremony’ downloaded from the ‘Enabling the Future’ was held. 3D printing of plastic hands is a EVENTS

WILLIAM STERNDALE BENNETT’S 200TH BIRTHDAY: A CONCERT OF HIS MUSIC

n 13 April 2016 the Friends of the OBodleian commemorated the 200th birthday of the composer Sir William Sterndale Bennett with a lunchtime concert in Convocation House. Bennett, a friend of Mendelssohn and Schumann, was a lead- ing figure in Victorian musical life, and the Bodleian has on deposit a large archive of his music manuscripts and other documents. A selection of these was on display in the Proscholium and offered a vivid picture of his varied life, which included visits to Germany, and posts as Principal of the and Professor of Music at Cambridge. The concert was given by the well-known Broadwood Grand Piano of 1828 on which David Owen Norris performed William Sterndale Bennett’s music David Owen Norris and the tenor Mark Wilde. Norris, a former great purity of tone and exemplary dic- tomary sensitivity and virtuosity, it made for at Keble, brought his 1828 Broadwood grand tion, enhanced by Convocation House’s a rousing conclusion to a most enjoyable piano, whose particular qualities and tun- sympathetic acoustic. Norris then comple- celebration. ing he demonstrated with characteristic mented them with a performance of one enthusiasm. The concert began with four of the composer’s last works, a substantial Peter Ward Jones of Bennett’s songs from the earlier part sonata with a programmatic basis, entitled Former Music Librarian and Member, of his career, which Wilde delivered with ‘The Maid of Orleans’. Played with his cus- Friends of the Bodleian

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 23 JUNE 2016

rofessor Richard McCabe welcomed Friends’ support, and that of other funders, PFriends to the 71st Annual General was gratefully acknowledged by Bodley’s Meeting in the Sheldonian Theatre, presided Librarian, Richard Ovenden. over by Professor Anne Trefethen, the Pro- The Friends’ lunchtime lecture series Vice-Chancellor for Academic Services and continued on a wide range of topics. University Collections. Professor McCabe Members also had the opportunity to presented the Report of the Council of visit Waddesdon Manor, which houses the Management, emphasising that it had been a Rothschild collection. successful year both in terms of activities and The guest speaker this year was Nicholas in financial support offered to the Library. Shakespeare, chief book reviewer of the Daily It had started with a fundraising evening in Telegraph and a Fellow of the Royal Society Duke Humfrey’s Library, the fourth such of Literature. His prize-winning novels occasion when Friends have been invited to have been translated into 20 languages and Nicholas Shakespeare addressing the meeting view some of the treasures of the Bodleian include The Vision of Elena Silves (winner of in the Sheldonian Theatre and to support their conservation as well as the Somerset Maugham Award and Betty to contribute to the overall purchasing fund. Trask Award) and The Dancer Upstairs, which Occupation in Paris. His discoveries threw The event raised £31,000. was chosen as the Best Novel of 1997 by the up more questions than answers, and he tan- In addition to this the Friends had American Libraries Association, and in 2001 talized the audience by suggesting that the contributed £92,400 towards the cost of made into a film by John Malkovich. His answers might be found in the book he had purchasing items during the year which non-fiction includes the critically acclaimed subsequently written about her, Priscilla: the included the 15th-century Medingen Psalter, authorized biography of Bruce Chatwin. Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Occupied six items from the Robert Pirie collection, Addressing the Friends’ AGM Mr France. and the annotated Tolkien Middle-earth Shakespeare graphically outlined the joys of The meeting ended as usual with an Map. Many of the purchases were sup- the chase for elusive papers and archives in excellent strawberry tea in the Divinity ported by other funders, notably the Art the Bodleian, in this case the unexpected School. Fund, the Friends of the National Libraries, success of unearthing some of the enigmatic the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, and the – and at times sensational – history of his Dr Helen Forde, National Heritage Memorial Fund. The own aunt who had spent much of the Nazi Member of the Friends of the Bodleian Council ‘WE USED TO CORRESPOND’ – READING OF PHILIP LARKIN AND BARBARA PYM LETTERS

memorial to Philip Larkin, poet and Alibrarian, was dedicated in Poets’ Corner in the south transept of Westminster Abbey on 2 December 2016. On the evening of 10 December the Friends held a special event in Blackwell Hall in the Weston Library to mark the occasion. This took the form of a reading of letters exchanged by Philip Larkin and Barbara Pym, the celebrated novelist, who corresponded with Larkin from 1961 up to her death in early 1980. The letters read were originally selected by Anthony Thwaite, Larkin’s editor and liter- ary executor, for performance on radio. The script was subsequently edited and revised by Triona Adams, who was one of the per- formers at the event, the other being the actor Oliver Ford Davies. The Chairman of the Friends, Professor Richard McCabe, introduced the two performers and invited Dr Thwaite to provide the audience, which included Friends and members of the Philip Larkin and Barbara Pym Societies, with the background to the correspond- Oliver Ford Davies and Triona Adams relaxing after their performance ence. What followed was a memorable hour during which those present were treated to in front of us. It ended with a moving read- performers, all the while listening to the what was a sometimes amusing, sometimes ing by Oliver Ford Davies of Larkin’s poem music playing in the background – jazz, of touching, but always fascinating and highly ‘An Arundel Tomb’, the final lines of which course, one of the poet’s great loves. enjoyable event, the correspondence being are now carved on Larkin’s memorial stone. brought to life by the skill of the two per- Following the reading refreshments were Steven Tomlinson formers. One could easily forget that it was served and those present had the opportu- Member, Friends of the Bodleian a performance, not the writers themselves nity to reflect on the event and talk to the

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR OF THE WESTON LIBRARY

alking into Blackwell Hall is always And the architecture – a brilliant blending Wa treat: delicious smells of real coffee, of the old and the new; amazing sightlines sounds of people chatting, excitement of into the hall and outwards to our city from checking what exhibitions are on, and best all different angles and heights as we were of all, the sight of a quadrangle of colourful also welcome to step onto the amazing roof books seemingly hanging in space all look- terrace with its magnificent views of the ing down at you! Oxford spires. The refurbishment retained On 24 April 2016 the Friends were the best original features like lanterns, taken in small groups on an exclusive tour staircases, and windows while bringing the of the newly refurbished Weston Library, spaces to the 21st century, especially with home to the Bodleian’s Special Collections. regard to the needs of current readers and Friends on the roof terrace Enthusiastic and knowledgeable Volunteer researchers. We were allowed to wander and Guides led us through spaces not usu- ask questions, and never felt hurried. ally open to the public. We visited the And for children... A charity ‘Bookfeast’ Conservation Workshops, Imaging Studio, has recently been working with the Bodleian Centre for Digital Scholarship, Rare Books staff to link local schools with authors of and Manuscripts/Mackerras reading rooms, books about Shakespeare. 230 excited pri- and Visiting Scholars’ Centre. In each spe- mary school children spent two days in cialist area members of staff welcomed us, the Lecture Theatre being introduced to talked about their work, and showed us the Weston – learning about books, and books, artefacts, and displays made especially looking forward to having printing work- for us. The overall impressions were of the shops with the Library’s old presses. excellence and dedication of staff, and the variety and breadth of the work they are Sue Matthew doing. Member, Friends of the Bodleian Friends in the Conservation Workshop PEOPLE Appeal for Library FAREWELL TO CALISTA MEINERT Volunteer Guides The Venue Services Department is t the end of April 2016 we said good- looking to recruit four or five new Abye to Calista Meinert, who was the volunteers to take guided tours Friends’ Administrator for almost three round the Old Bodleian Library as years. Originally from Canada, she was part of our public tours programme. familiar with the Bodleian Library when Full training will be provided, and she joined the Friends, having played a cru- a commitment of four tours per cial administrative role during the move out month is requested. This is a won- of the New Bodleian and then working in derful opportunity to learn about Reader Services in Upper Reading Room. the history of the Bodleian and to Calista provided excellent assistance to the share your enthusiasm with our visi- Council, the Secretary, and members of the tors. You will join our experienced Friends groups based in the UK and abroad. team of volunteer guides, and will Calista’s work made a positive impact on the be able to meet them at various talks Society’s profile, thanks to the improvements and events organised throughout the she introduced to some administrative and year. We value the contribution that publicity processes. We particularly appreci- our guides make and look forward to ated her highly professional customer service welcoming newcomers to the team. and great flair for design both in print and If you are interested in becoming online. We wish Calista all the very best in a volunteer guide and would like to her new administrative role at the Centre for apply, please contact Cath Poucher, Continuing Education. Tours Coordinator, on 01865 287400 or email [email protected] Margaret Czepiel Secretary, Friends of the Bodleian

NEW MEMBERS

We have much pleasure in welcoming the N. Gamina, Moscow, Russia P. Newsome, Oxford following and many more anonymous new A. Garfield, Banbury C. Nex, Oswestry, Shropshire Friends (this list continues that published in the J. Getzler, Oxford C. Openshaw, Oxford Summer 2015–Winter 2015/16 Newsletter) C. Gowing, Chipping Norton A.D. Owen, Aldridge, Walsall N. Hassan, Scarsdale, New York, USA K. Parry, Maidenhead R. Akel, Santiago, Chile J. Hastings, Faringdon, Oxfordshire A. Pittard & C. McCabe. London A. Aubry, London N. & F. Holmes, London A. & J. Reed, Chippenham, Wiltshire J. Ayres, Chipping Norton M. & M. Houghton-Berry, Surrey Lady June Richards, Oxford A. Bodley, London C. Jackson, Harwell, Oxfordshire M. Ruiz, Oxford D. Brown, Oxford J. Jenkins, Devizes, Wiltshire J. Sanders, Southampton A. Bryden, Abingdon, Oxfordshire D.F. & L. Johnson, Nuneaton, Warwickshire R. Sargeant, Kidlington, Oxfordshire M. Brzezicki, Weston-super-Mare, C. Kane & N. Johnstone, Brill, R. & A.M. Schoonhoven, Oxford Somerset Buckinghamshire K. & C. Small, Oxford M. Burgess, Oxford P. Kennedy, Kidlington, Oxfordshire E. Smith & E. MacFarlane, Oxford L.A. Burkett, Cullowhee, North Carolina, S. Kunze, Oxford E. Solaga, Victoria, Australia USA A. Laurence, Oxford D. & J. Stead, Southwell J. Burnett Rae, Didcot, Oxfordshire C. Liu, Oxford R. Storer, Edgeware, Middlesex T. Butler-Bowdon, Kidlington, A. Lloyd, Eynsham, Oxfordshire G. Storhaug, Hereford Oxfordshire A. Lopez Atencia, Málaga, Spain H.F. Thonemann, Oxford C. Cagnac, Cazères, France J. Lourie, Abingdon, Oxfordshire J. Tolputt, Steyning G. Carlisle, Walters Ash, Buckinghamshire I. Lunt, Oxford J. Truscott, Southampton G. Catalini, Ferrara, Italy L. Luther, Wimborne, Dorset L. Vecchia, Oxford G. Cheetham, Oxford J. McDougall, Abingdon, Oxfordshire E.D. & A. Warner, London J. Coomber, Banbury P. Martin, Winchester T. Wearne & D. Wolter, Littlemore, R. Cooper & E. Tandello, Oxford R. P. Mellor, Exeter Oxfordshire G.N.C. Crawford, Oxford M. Minton, Oxford D. Whitecross, Cardiff D. Crossley, Abingdon, Oxfordshire A.S. Mitchell, Long Hanborough, J. Wood, Witney, Oxfordshire P. & P. Dickson, Oxford Oxfordshire P. Worth, High Wycombe A. Felstead, Moreton-in-Marsh, R. Morgan, Oxford M. Zanganeh, Tehran, Iran Gloucestershire R. Morris, Kidlington, Oxfordshire A. Ferguson-Smith, El Serrat, Andorra B. Mustur, Scarborough, Australia