NEWSLETTER Summer 2017 – Winter 2017/18 Photos: Photos: Ian Walllman

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Bodleian Library Friends’ NEWSLETTER Summer 2017 – Winter 2017/18 Photos: Photos: Ian Walllman.

THE WELCOMING OXFORD: MARTIN PARR, BODLEIAN LIBRARIES 8 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER 2017

he Bodleian Library has always artin Parr is one of Britain’s best- research activity, and college life. Parr was Twelcomed readers and visitors since it Mknown contemporary photographers able to capture the many different quirks was established in 1602. In recent years it and President of Magnum, the world-famous of university life at Oxford that have rarely has been making its spaces more accessible photographic agency. For more than 40 been seen or documented by those outside and collections visible for all to enjoy and years, he has largely turned his lens towards the institution. The culmination of his explore. aspects of British culture. Parr’s photographs work – in collaboration with the Bodleian The Weston Library, in particular, has demonstrate tremendous perception and Libraries and Oxford University Press – opened up opportunities previously not affection for his subjects. By focusing on the were 69 photographs in which he casts a wry available. There are two exhibition spaces mundane, Parr is renowned for his unique eye over these events and brings together in Blackwell Hall, the main entry space in brand of satire and wit. both ancient traditions and contemporary the Weston Library, the S.T. Lee Gallery From 2014 to 2016 Parr was given unique innovation. A selection of the photographs and the Treasury – with two further display access to ceremonies and celebrations was on display at the Weston Library’s cases in Blackwell Hall, one showing the across the University: graduations, balls, and Blackwell Hall. Curated by Tim Clark and beautifully restored Sheldon tapestry map sporting events as well as behind-the-scenes Greg Hobson, the exhibition coincided of Worcestershire and the other intended student antics and rituals, ceremonies, and with the publication of these photographs in for topical displays marking significant age-old traditions that still hold significance a new book, Oxford: Martin Parr, and further events or celebrating anniversaries related today. He has also photographed academic related activities taking place around Oxford to notable people, usually in connection life including tutorials, lectures, cutting-edge at the same time. with conferences taking place at the University of Oxford. Last year Blackwell Hall provided a setting for an array of new and interesting additional exhibitions: Heroic works, showcasing the best contemporary designer bookbinding from around the world; Oxford: Martin Parr as captured by the celebrated photographer; and The full picture: Oxford in portraits – free and open to all. ‘Trashing.’ c Martin Parr/Magnum Photos. HEROIC WORKS, 18 JULY – 20 AUGUST 2017 BODLEIAN LIBRARIES’ STRATEGY 2017 – 2022

esigner Bookbinders, one of the ver the last year and a half, work has The Strategy sets out six key strategic goals 6. FINANCE: Controlling costs and Dworld’s foremost bookbinding Obeen underway to develop a new and the broad actions that the Bodleian diversifying our sources of funding. societies devoted to the art and craft of strategy for the Bodleian Libraries, one Libraries will take to achieve these goals. As the Strategy is high-level the Libraries the hand-bound book, has once again that articulates a vision for the organization The six key strategic goals are: have just finalized an Implementation Plan collaborated with the Bodleian Libraries to and helps it to meet three key aims for the 1. LIBRARY SPACES AND which outlines specific, measurable actions attract top binders from around the world Libraries over the next five years. These are: INFRASTRUCTURE: Enhancing that detail how they will achieve the goals for their 3rd International Bookbinding • to help ensure that the University of Oxford physical and digital spaces to support the set out in the Strategy. This will be rolled Competition. The theme in 2017 was remains at the forefront of academic rapidly changing needs of readers. out to Bodleian Libraries staff in late Hilary ‘Myths, heroes and legends’. teaching and research worldwide; Term 2018. 2. LIBRARY AS PARTNER: OPEN The display, entitled Heroic works, featured • to contribute leadership to the broader SCHOLARSHIP AND DATA- For queries or discussions about the Strategy 74 designer bindings, including 28 prize- development of the world of information INTENSIVE RESEARCH: Working in please contact Catriona Cannon, Deputy winners. Drawing on entries from more and libraries for society; partnership with researchers, academics, Librarian at catriona.cannon@bodleian. than 30 countries, the display showcased and students to create and deliver content. ox.ac.uk. the creativity and craftsmanship of the • to provide a sustainable operation of the international bookbinding community. Libraries. 3. ACCESS, ENGAGEMENT, AND Suzanne de la Rosa The works reflected a remarkable range of OUTREACH: Increasing access to Head of Communications, Bodleian Libraries We are pleased to announce that the 2017- materials and approaches to great classics collections and promoting greater 2022 strategy document is now complete of world literature as well as modern texts. First Prize: Andrea Odametey (Germany), discovery and engagement. beautiful leather with gold tooling, fanciful and available to view at www.bodleian. The imagination in form and structure Ovid’s Daedalus and Icarus. pop-up creations, and a binding made of ox.ac.uk/about/strategy. Print copies are also 4. COLLECTIONS: Opening up world- displayed the intricate art and craft of a Photo: Greg Smolonski. coloured acrylic that looks like a painting. available and can be requested by emailing class collections to researchers, students, unique handmade book. The broad range c Designer Bookbinders. The display afforded an opportunity for [email protected]. and others across the globe. of bindings on show included a concertina- visitors to see diverse styles and techniques structured binding with hand-drawn 5. LIBRARY WORKFORCE: Developing from some of the best binders in the world. imagery, a book traditionally bound in our staff to support 21st-century library scholarship.

THE FULL PICTURE: OXFORD IN PORTRAITS, ACQUISITIONS 24 NOVEMBER 2017 – 7 JANUARY 2018

any people assume that Oxford’s On this occasion members of the University HISTORIC LEDGERS OF DUCKER & SON, Mhistory and its present are less diverse nominated current and recent staff and SHOEMAKERS OF TURL STREET, OXFORD than they actually are. The first international students, who have made or are making a student arrived here in 1190, women have major, positive difference to Oxford and studied at Oxford since the 1870s, and the the world, to sit for newly commissioned ucker & Son was one of very few One entry reveals The Lord of the Rings with further, more recent volumes kindly first African student came to study law portraits. The 24 chosen include people Dtraditional hand-sewn, bespoke author J.R.R. Tolkien purchasing black donated by the shop directors – form in 1876. Today one in ten students have with disabilities, people from a variety of shoemakers outside the West End of London. rugby boots for 14s 6d in 1913, when he a valuable addition to the Bodleian declared disability, 40% of our total student ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, From 1898 the venerable ‘Duckers’ traded was a student at Exeter College, Oxford. collections. The volumes also provide body – over 9,300 students – are citizens of and people from LGBTQ+ communities. from its well-known shop on Oxford’s Turl Two pages of entries for Evelyn Waugh the insights into the art of shoemaking as well foreign countries, and University staff come Among the sitters were human rights activist Street. The store closed in December 2016 author of Brideshead revisited, suggest that he as social and commercial history of the early from 102 countries. This story of Oxford – Kumi Naidoo, eminent astrophysicist Dame after the directors decided to retire and was a loyal customer, buying approximately 20th century. were unable to find someone to take on the 20 pairs of shoes or boots between 1930 and the real story – was told in an exhibition, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and disability rights A small selection of the ledgers – together business. 1946. Another notable entry reveals a pair The full picture. campaigner and lawyer Marie Tidball. The with sample shoes and brogue patterns of lambswool slippers purchased by former display also included our own Dr Sarah The Bodleian purchased the shop’s historic – were on public display at the Weston The exhibition was part of the Prime Minister H. H. Asquith in the final Thomas, the first woman to hold the office ledgers at auction in February 2017, Library on 25 and 26 March 2017. ‘Diversifying portraiture’ project led by the years of his political career. Entries related of Bodley’s Librarian. thanks to funding provided by the Friends University’s Equality and Diversity Unit to Duckers’ female customers include boot of the Bodleian. The content covers the and supported by the Vice-Chancellor’s The portraits now hang in the repairs commissioned by Lady Ottoline period from 1910 to 1963 and details the Diversity Fund. The project has already Examinations Schools so thousands of Morrell, the English aristocrat who was an purchases made by thousands of clients. The catalogued existing paintings from around students and community members may influential patron of the arts and the lover red leather-bound volumes (MSS. Don. c. the University that highlight the range of see the full picture of Oxford. of philosopher and writer Aldous Huxley. pioneering figures whose achievements Dr Marie Tidball by Clementine St John Webster. 233–243) feature beautiful copperplate over the centuries have challenged the Courtesy: University of Oxford. writing listing the names, addresses, and Given their connection with the history stereotypes of their time. personal styles of its illustrious customers of the University and featuring many who over the century included members of prominent literary and political figures the European aristocracy and clergy, several whose papers are already held at the Maharajahs as well as generations of Oxford Bodleian, the historic ledgers – together academics and students. J.R.R. Tolkien ledger entry. Courtesy: Mallams. 19TH-CENTURY PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RIVER EXHIBITIONS THAMES

ictor Prout’s The Thames from Oxford along the banks in favour STAGING HISTORY, 4 OCTOBER 2016 – 8 JANUARY 2017 Vto London in forty photographs, First of stately homes and rolling and Second series (London: Virtue and Co., countryside, composing he exhibition Staging history was an Church, the V&A, the Garrick Club, and ca. 1862) is a rare and important early scenes more reminiscent of Texploration and an illumination of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Items photographic work featuring the earliest the watercolours painted by the years in which the desire to see real included tickets, playbills, and playtexts known panoramic views of the city and his great-uncle Samuel Prout history on the stage became almost an as well as very detailed set designs and county of Oxford as seen from the river in or J. M. W. Turner. obsession with the London theatre-going maquettes (small-scale models). Also on the mid-19th century. The album (Arch. K public. The period of the show spanned the show were items from the Bodleian’s map Sadly, his technical skill and b.22) contains forty loose albumen prints years 1780 to 1840. Sometimes the events and music collections, including early artistry did not translate from collodion negatives mounted on card dramatized were relatively recent ones such maps of Captain Cook’s travels across the into commercial success with individual printed titles. as the French and American Revolutions, Pacific and the musical score from Pizarro, and very few copies were View of Marlow, Buckinghamshire (Arch. K b.22, p. 18). sometimes they were more distant such as a 1799 play about Spanish conquistador Victor Prout (1835-1877) began taking sold. Complete albums are now rare, and the Protestant Reformation, or the political Francisco Pizarro. The exhibition also photographs along the Thames in 1857, before this copy was acquired none were The first photograph of Oxford shows a intrigues of Elizabethan England. The featured theatrical portraiture, paintings, adapting a punt to be both his means of known in libraries in Oxford, representing surprisingly unchanged view of the botanical dramas provide remarkable insights not only prints, and illustrations, including those transport and a home for his darkroom. a major lacuna in the Bodleian’s otherwise gardens with Magdalen in the distance, but into the way that history could be told and that showed London’s famous stages His camera produced wide-vision images extensive early photographic holdings more has changed as Prout moves downriver. retold, but also the transformative effect of such as Covent Garden, Drury Lane, probably using a lens that swung round relating to the University, city, and county There are views of Iffley Mill; the bridges music and spectacle on such processes. The and Sadler’s Wells. Audiences consumed and ‘scanned’ progressive sections of the of Oxford. This work sits alongside the at Nuneham Courtney and Wallingford; fact that history was used for such purposes the shows based on this material with picture plane. The resulting images produced Library’s other photographic ‘incunables’, and the watersides at Pangbourne, Henley, was announced in the texts themselves, unprecedented enthusiasm. Even in an age ‘a delicate, dramatic feeling’ (Martin Parr including works acquired recently from the and Shillingford. Further downstream which carried one of the ever-growing of expanding print culture, theatres played and Gerry Badger, The photobook: a history. archive of Henry Fox Talbot. The Library he photographed Windsor Castle, bank of new genre titles – there are over an important role as ‘dramatic newsreels’ London: Phaidon, 2004), showing tranquil is grateful to the Friends of the Bodleian Hand-coloured print showing Charles Kean in the Hampton Court, and London’s bridges. a hundred of these all told – which ranged for the masses, disseminating information scenes with little traffic. Prout is often the for generously supporting this acquisition. role of Richard III, published in London by J. L. Unsurprisingly, the final view is of the from ‘grotesque legendary drama’, ‘historical and representing events of national interest. only person in view, sometimes standing on Marks, [1830-1850?]. Palace of Westminster looking across the comic opera’, ‘historical play’, ‘historical As always, a programme of lectures and the bank in his stovepipe hat and sometimes river from Lambeth. Prout seems to have Sarah Wheale tragedy’, and ‘legendary drama’, to ‘serio- other events accompanied the exhibition. in the punt. avoided the prisons, factories, and boatyards Head of Rare Books, Bodleian Libraries comic historical drama’. The exhibition featured set designs, Dr Michael Burden theatrical documents, and illustrations from Professor of Opera Studies, University of Oxford collections held at the Bodleian, Christ DENIS HEALEY’S ARCHIVE

ast Summer Friends may have witnessed deeply involved in left-wing politics at the photographic: Healey’s eye: a photographic La brief flurry of articles in the press University, through both the Labour and memoir. A more conventional political VOLCANOES, 10 FEBRUARY – 21 MAY 2017 announcing the arrival of Denis Healey’s Communist Parties. After Oxford, Healey memoir, The time of my life, appeared ten personal archive at the Bodleian Libraries. became the International Secretary of the years later. s a geologist working on young Most of my research projects involve creating We are delighted to have been allocated the Labour Party (1945-1952), developing a The Healey archive is a particularly archive under the Arts Council England’s distinctive international perspective that Avolcanoes, my research has often a piece of work that, once published, is appropriate addition to our strong holdings brought me into contact with written and finished. With the exhibition, it was quite ‘Acceptance In Lieu’ scheme, which provides would remain with him all his life. He was of modern political archives, which also estates with a means to transfer important elected to Parliament in 1952, where he visual observations of eruptions. So when the different. The process of curation was include the personal archives of several opportunity came to curate an exhibition on fun and stimulating, but the real pleasure items of heritage into public ownership represented residents of Leeds until 1992. He central Labour Party figures of Healey’s era, in lieu of inheritance tax. Recently the served as Harold Wilson’s Secretary of State volcanoes in the Weston Library I jumped began when the exhibition took shape, including Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, at it. After about three years of planning and and was opened to public view. On offer scheme has also seen the allocation of other for Defence (1964-1970) and as Chancellor Barbara Castle, and Roy Jenkins, as well as significant collections to the Libraries, of the Exchequer first under Wilson (1974- searching through the amazing Bodleian were also musical, print-your-own volcano, those of Conservative contemporaries, and collections, the Exhibitions team and I came and scientific activities (building of model including the papers of the 4th Earl of 1976), and finally under James Callaghan the archive of the Conservative Party itself. Clarendon, allocated to us in 2013, and (1976-1979). up with 84 display items around the theme. volcanoes, planning where to live on a The Libraries have now launched a campaign My ambition was to showcase not only volcanic island, and handling volcanic rock the Lennox Boyd collection of ephemera, Comprising nearly four hundred boxes, allocated in 2015. to raise the funding required to catalogue the obvious material, including colourful samples) – as well as a programme of lectures the Healey archive is substantial, and offers this major collection. Once the project can representations of eruptions, eye-witness delivered by experts in a variety of related Healey’s political career began in Oxford. a comprehensive record of the politician’s be initiated we expect the archive to be accounts, and scientific observations, but also disciplines. A student at Balliol College, he was personal and professional life, and of Labour some breath-taking items (papyrus scrolls ready for researchers’ use within 18 months. The exhibition is now closed, but I am still Party history. It includes a long run of from Herculaneum, buried and charred We are grateful to the Healey family for tingling from the excitement and the energy; diaries, dating from the 1930s to the year during the AD 79 eruption of Vesuvius), nominating the Libraries as the recipient and the new opportunities that have arisen of his death in 2015. The diaries provide a and others that were surprising (Mary of this important archive, and look forward from it. You may be interested to read the detailed political chronology and document Shelley’s diary from 1816, written during to seeing the contribution to scholarship press coverage of the exhibition, especially in Healey’s deep cultural interests. Alongside the ‘Year without a Summer’ caused by the that will emerge from it in due course. The Guardian, and an essay on fire at www.19. the usual correspondence and working effects of a distant eruption in Indonesia). I bbk.ac.uk/articles/10.16995/ntn.790. papers, researchers will also find a large was delighted to be able to bring together Volcanoes exhibition poster. photographic archive. A committed amateur Susan Thomas science, society, art, and history to depict our photographer, Healey’s first memoir, Head of Archives and Modern Manuscripts, understanding of volcanoes over the past Dr David Pyle published in 1980, was in fact Bodleian Libraries two millennia. Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

A selection of items from the Denis Healey archive. WHICH JANE AUSTEN? 23 JUNE – 29 OCTOBER 2017 FRIENDS OF THE BODLEIAN AGM, 22 JUNE 2017 017 was a remarkable year even by the display, were purchased, almost a century 2standards of Jane Austen’s phenomenal apart, with the support of the Friends of modern success: conferences and the Bodleian. Thanks to generous loans from he 72nd Annual General Meeting a tiny pot of blue ink. Luke was seated on a commemorations across the world to mark the John Murray Archive, National Library Tof the Society was held in the bench – significantly not on a chair – so that the 200th anniversary of her death; her face of Scotland; the British Library; King’s Sheldonian Theatre. Professor Anne he might slide rather than twist as he wrote on the shiny polymer Bank of England College, Cambridge; the National Maritime Trefethen, Pro-Vice Chancellor, was from left to right. This was followed by a ten pound note; a major international Museum, Greenwich; Jane Austen’s House in the Chair and welcomed everyone. wonderful illustration of the Devil creeping exhibition at the Bodleian Library’s S. T. Lee Museum, Hampshire; the BBC; and other Re-election of Council members retiring up to steal the ink pot of a religious scribe. Gallery. The exhibition, Which Jane Austen? public and private collections, Jane Austen by rotation was followed by a report from Perhaps the most frequently asked question attracted over 80,000 visitors, with further re-emerged in unexpected lights as a wartime Professor Richard McCabe, Chairman of must be: what did the scribes do if they guests enjoying the events that accompanied novelist, as a worldly businesswoman, as a the Friends’ Council of Management. made a mistake? The skin stretchers of the exhibition. One such event was ‘A day surprisingly well-connected member of Professor McCabe spoke about Friends’ Holywell Street produced parchment thick with Miss Austen’, when etiquette experts in Regency society. Which Jane Austen? revisited contributions and an anonymous donation enough to withstand scraping. Errors were their best breeches and empire-line ensembles and revised, challenged and unsettled our that allowed conservation work on scratched into oblivion, but the scribe might shared tips on dancing, love letters, and the understanding of a writer whose interests Glagolitic (Slavic script) manuscripts as pay a small price via an extra illustration of a alluring uses of fan language – while toys, and ambitions lay far beyond the cosy well as some rare and picturesquely local cockerel, crowing loudly at the scribe’s folly. games, and music from Jane’s childhood were village life with which we associate her. acquisitions. A summary of Dr de Hamel’s personal used to bring the past to life for all ages. the year’s enriching activities favourite? Julius Caesar Dr Christopher de Hamel addressing the meeting in Professor Kathryn Sutherland included a reference to the enters a medieval bookshop, the Sheldonian Theatre. Oxford has rich Austen associations, and the Image from the exhibition artwork Bodleian Library houses one of the world’s Fellow in English, St Anne’s College, event that marked the Philip complete with seated Photo: Simon Salomé-Bentley. major collections of Austen’s manuscripts. University of Oxford Larkin memorial at Poets’ bookseller, positioned near Member of the Friends’ Council Corner, Westminster Abbey. a leaded window open for Two unique artefacts, the teenage notebook Bodleian Lions, Richard Ovenden, thanked light and air. The bookseller’s Volume the First and a large portion of an Professor McCabe then our speaker as an indefatigable scholar and hair was not grey. There was unfinished draft novel The Watsons, both on welcomed guest speaker documenter of medieval arts and crafts. Dr Christopher de Hamel, neither concept nor word who gave us a preview of for this colour in medieval Mr Ovenden concluded with insights into his book, Making medieval Latin. The colours blue or what it means for the Bodleian to be a truly manuscripts, now published green were used instead! international institution. Collaboration with by the Bodleian Libraries. We Afghanistan was the source of the Vatican Library will have achieved its goal EVENTS were listening to his address Christopher de Hamel’s Making the lapis lazuli which has given of 1.5 million pages of early manuscripts medieval manuscripts (Oxford: in exactly the right place. us exquisite ultramarine, digitised in 2017. The Bodleian Library, 2017) while verdigris was created Downstairs in the Sheldonian, Tea-time in the magnificent setting of by the action of urine upon in 1669, books were already the Divinity School is a splendid Friends’ VISIT TO MAGDALEN COLLEGE LIBRARIES, 18 MAY 2017 copper. being printed, maintaining a thousand-year tradition that we hope will last as long as tradition of book making and selling in the In memory of the mid-15th century printing has been taking place in Oxford. t is always a treat when well-informed 1600 and some of the notable acquisitions Perhaps surprisingly the collection of printed vicinity. Dr de Hamel brought the work of illustration of St Jerome, with a lion at his experts share not only their knowledge since then; also how the furnishing of the books has never been fully catalogued and a I illuminators and parchmenters vividly to life feet as he contemplates his extensive library, but also their enthusiasm with their guests. Library has changed over the centuries. project is under way to remedy this. Other Helen Tozer in a forensic interpretation of its visual details. our literary and readerly lion, Dr de Hamel, In the Old Library in Magdalen College, plans involve building up the holdings of Member, Friends of the Bodleian On display in the Library’s exhibition Luke the Scribe was shown dipping his reed concluded his address. The Keeper of the built in the late 15th century and used for more recent authors associated with the area was a selection of the College’s early pen, held horizontally to prevent spills, into its original purpose ever since, Daryl Green, College, particularly Oscar Wilde, T. E. Greek manuscripts from the 11th century College Librarian since 2016, did precisely Lawrence, and C. S. Lewis. onwards. A conservation programme on that. He outlined the more than 25,000 these manuscripts was almost complete and Before reaching the Old Library we were volumes in the Library and indicated the an illustrated catalogue has recently been able to see the most recent expansion of scope of the College’s other collections held published. Some of the manuscripts are also Magdalen’s libraries, the Longwall Library. separately. We heard about the early history available to view at http://image.ox.ac.uk/ This new building is a significant addition CURIOSITY FESTIVA L of the Library including its first catalogue in list?collection=magdalen. to the former New Library, and sits beside, and below, Longwall Street. The multi- xford’s Curiosity Festival 2017 The Curiosity Carnival on Friday 29 busking, debates, and a pub-style quiz. The million pound project is elegant in design Ojoined other European cities in September offered a unique opportunity to Bodleian – together with other libraries, and sophisticated in construction; it was celebrating European Researchers’ Night, find out what research is really about, meet museums, gardens, and woods – was also completed in late 2016. an event dedicated to explaining research researchers, ask questions, and discover how involved, proudly showcasing its collections We are very grateful to Daryl Green for through fun and interactive learning. research affects and changes our lives. and sharing staff expertise. Social media The European Researchers’ Night project came alive with #CuriosityCarnival, with hosting our visit, for being willing to The night was a huge festival of knowledge is funded by the European Commission hundreds of people sharing their experiences respond to subsequent queries, and for with a wide range of events involving under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. offering a second visit for Friends who could thousands of passionate staff and students Actions to support research careers. A wide not be accommodated on the first one. of the University of Oxford, the Oxford range of events takes place in over 300 Brookes University, and MRC Harwell cities across Europe and in neighbouring Canon John Edwards Institute. On offer were activities for all ages countries. This was the first one ever to be Member, Friends of the Bodleian and interests: live experiments, interactive held in Oxford. games, films, poetry, music, art, dance, stalls,

Entrance to Magdalen College’s Longwall Library. Photo: Ian Wells. ‘THE LIBRARIAN’S WIFE’, A THREE-PART PRESENTATION ON VISITS MISTRESS JAMES, WIFE OF THE FIRST BODLEY’S LIBRARIAN, 2 DECEMBER 2017 SPANISH KING AND QUEEN AT THE BODLEIAN

orty Friends of the Bodleian Library There were also early transcripts of the n the final day of their State Visit to the Fassembled on a cold, damp Saturday letters for us to browse. Lord Michael Webb, OUK, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of afternoon at the beginning of December as he was for the day, read out to us the Spain were hosted by the Bodleian Libraries for an event with a difference – we were letter in which Bodley refuses to give James for a visit to the Weston Library. The to be transported back to the beginning permission to marry (and the increase in Bodleian’s librarians invited their majesties of the 17th century. First, however, we wage that was requested to go with it!). for a special presentation of treasures from had to be prepared. We all filed into the However, 11 months later another letter the Libraries’ collections, selected for their Weston Lecture Theatre where Naomi expresses his willingness to go against his significance to Spanish history and culture. Hillman, whose task is to bring history own rules, just this once, so that his dear The King and Queen also heard about the to life, began by informing us she was friend should not be in extremities. Never vital work being done at the Library in going to tell us a love story, a story that again would this happen, he emphatically conserving special collections, and afterwards she had herself researched – that of the proclaimed. So Thomas James gave up his met a group of children from the Tyndale first librarian, Thomas James, and Ann College fellowship for love, but thankfully Community School, part of the ‘Oxford for Underhill, born in the Golden Cross, did not lose his job as well. Oxford’ scheme which gives local schools youngest daughter of the innkeeper there. Next we went across to Duke Humfrey’s access to the resources of the University. Her illustrated talk covered the genesis Library where Ann herself greeted us, gave The royal couple was most grateful for the of her project, how her research had us a tour of her husband’s domain, and told enthralling engagement at the Library. progressed, and some of her findings (not us much of her story. She was a delightful forgetting the passing around of the hand- hostess and I for one cannot imagine sewn jacket she had made for herself as Ann visiting the Bodleian Library in its new using over a mile of thread, and her singing). guise without thinking of her tidying her King and Queen of Spain outside the Weston Library. Photo: John Cairns. Following this we separated into two groups husband’s desk... and experienced the rest of the event in two different orders. Last of all we were admitted to another of the Weston Library’s meeting rooms where I proceeded to a room in the Library where refreshments were awaiting us. Mike Webb, Curator of Early Modern INFORMAL VISIT OF THE POLISH AMBASSADOR AND HIS WIFE Archives and Manuscripts, had laid out for It was a most pleasant, unusual way to spend an otherwise dreary Saturday afternoon, us the bound volume of Thomas Bodley’s n March 2017 the Polish Ambassador Zygmunt I (MS. Douce 36) and the Prayer rare in Poland. The manuscript came to the substantial pile of original letters to his and on behalf of all of us I would like to thank the Friends of the Bodleian team for IArkady Rzegocki and his wife Jolanta book thought to have been commissioned by Bodleian in 1834 together with many other ‘special good friend Mr Thomas James, visited the Bodleian Library. This informal King Władysław III Warnen´czyk (MS. Rawl. precious items in the bequest of Francis felowe of Newe College in Oxon’, and organising this imaginative and innovative event. visit was hosted by Margaret Czepiel, who liturg. d. 6). Douce. Thomas James’s handwritten catalogue of Naomi Hillman as Mistress James. gave the distinguished guests a tour of the The Book of Hours was probably made on The second royal Prayer book is most 1603-1604. Jan Archer Photo: John Montgomery. Weston Library. The visitors, who also the request of King Zygmunt and produced intriguing for the inclusion of elements of Member, Friends of the Bodleian included Professor Gerard Kilroy of UCL, between 1521 and 1527. The outstanding crystallomancy. The manuscript comprises were most impressed with the innovative work of the well-travelled Polish illuminator common liturgical texts and prayers for ways the Bodleian connects the readers, Stanisław Samostrzelnik was evidently private use in association with crystals, scholars, and the public with its special influenced by artists like Albert Altdorfer, which makes the volume very unusual in collections. Mrs Czepiel also showed the Albrecht Dürer, and Lucas Cranach the a 15th-century Catholic country. It appears guests two of the most celebrated Polish LIBRARY LATES: COLOUR Elder. It combines the royals’ fascination for that the Church tolerated crystallomantic manuscripts held outside Poland: the richly Tuscan Renaissance with elements of the practices as these were associated with illuminated Book of Hours used for private Gothic style. Although popular in other fasting, prayer, and acts of humility. Indeed n the evening of 14 December the art The Library Lates have been launched prayer by Queen Bona Sforza, wife of King Oand science of colour were celebrated by the Bodleian to present opportunities parts of Europe, a book such as this was some of the 14 illuminated miniatures show at the Bodleian Libraries’ first ever ‘Library to see and explore the Libraries’ unique the royal insignia lying at the feet of the altar Lates’ event. Visitors to the Weston Library collections in an innovative and informal and the King on his knees before the image COLOUR were invited to relax over a colourful way. These events also showcase some of of God and his angels. The manuscript came to the Bodleian as part of the Rawlison DISCOVER THE ART AND SCIENCE OF COLOUR cocktail and enjoy drop-in mini-exhibition the cutting-edge research being undertaken AT THE BODLEIAN LIBRARIES AFTER DARK tours, pigment displays, a curator Questions by the Bodleian and academics across the bequest in1756. & Answers session, hyperspectral imaging University. It is hoped that these evenings Curator Q&As Mr and Mrs Rzegocki were most Mini gallery tours demonstrations, and presentations on the will encourage more people from Oxford appreciative of the opportunity to view Colourful cocktails neuroscience of seeing colour. The evening and surrounding areas to see the Bodleian Islamic art workshop the Library and these important Polish Hyperspectral imaging event was free and open to all. in a different light and discover new things manuscripts. Pigment demonstrations about its collections and work. The neuroscience of seeing colour

14 December 19.00-21.30 Blackwell Hall, Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG Margaret Czepiel

Free event, book your free ticket at: Curator, Archives and Modern Manuscripts www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson Secretary, Friends of the Bodleian Polish Ambassador Dr Arkady Rzegocki and Dr Jolanta Rzegocka. Courtesy: Polish Embassy, London. HEAD OF BODLEIAN CONSERVATION IN JAPAN

n 7 December 2016, NDL, the The simple question, how old is it? No while we have not come up with a simple Onational library of Japan, held simple answer; three different dates! 224- statement to the effect that ‘Yes, this is their 27th Preservation Forum at the 383 AD, 680-779 AD, and 885-993 AD. the earliest zero and it is x years old’, our Tokyo Main Library, under the theme of Earliest zero? No simple answer; might be a endeavours brought about something much ‘Preservation in the digital age’. Ms Virginia placeholder, not a zero! more difficult yet of much greater interest. Lladó-Buisán, Head of Conservation and The results have produced a lot of Collection Care at the Bodleian Libraries, controversy and have been reported in over Dr David Howell was invited as the keynote speaker to give 250 media outlets, bringing this unique Head of Heritage Science, Bodleian Libraries a lecture on the roles of the conservator in manuscript to an audience, who would not the Bodleian’s digitization programmes. necessarily have even thought about the The Bodleian Libraries are second in size invention of zero or who were not aware only to the British Library in the U.K., of the concept of a placeholder. Linguists Professor Marcus du Sautoy examining Virginia M. Lladó-Buisán with her hosts, from holding more than 12 million printed preservation and to maintain and enhance in particular are having lively discussions the Bakhshali manuscript. left, Mr Junichi Soma, Tokyo Secretary/Treasurer, items. The Conservation and Collection the resources to make this happen. The to explain or deny the found dates. So Photo: David Howell. Care Department works to preserve, lecture was very well attended and the Professor Hidekazu Kawai, former President of stabilize, and improve access to the Bodleian Bodleian’s experience seemed to engage the JFOB, and Professor Makoto Onaka, current Libraries’ collections through preventive and inspire a very diverse audience (mostly President. programs, interventive treatments, research, from libraries, museums, and archives), and by supporting an ongoing exhibitions who participated in a lively Questions and share their expertise in various areas of programme and other public engagement Answers session. More details are available conservation. We expect this programme to activities. It has also been involved in on request as pdf files, ‘Conservation be mutually beneficial for conservators at REDISCOVERY OF GEORGE BUTTERWORTH’S SONG ‘CROWN various digitization projects such as the approaches to the digitization of collections both institutions and widen their skill base Polonsky Foundation Digitization Project at the Bodleian Libraries: supporting and on Western and Japanese collections and WINTER WITH GREEN’ and the John Johnson Project. This lecture preserving’ and ‘Transcript of the lecture’. preservation methods. In November 2017, focused on these and several other projects, the Bodleian hosted the first Exchange hortly before Christmas 2016, the it emerged – during ongoing cataloguing with green’ may not be a masterpiece, but Another highlight of Ms Lladó-Buisán’s and how they have provided a wonderful Conservator in this programme, Ms Kana composer George Butterworth hit the work – in 2016, conveniently coinciding it can perhaps be seen as a small step on trip to Tokyo was a meeting with Dr O. S opportunity to widen the Bodleian’s vision Yamaguchi, Preventive Conservator, headlines when an early song by him, with the centenary of the composer’s the path towards Butterworth’s musical Makoto (Chair of the Japanese Friends of of the role of the conservator in the digital Preservation Division, Acquisitions and which was thought to have been lost, was death. The other song, ‘Haste on, my joys’, maturity. the Bodleian), Professor H. Kawai, and Mr era: whilst the preservation of the collections Bibliography Department, National Diet identified in the Bodleian. had earlier been discovered in the Vaughan J. Soma, both officers of the Japanese Friends Most of his surviving music manuscripts are is the Conservation Department’s main Library, Japan. Ms Yamaguchi worked closely Williams Memorial Library and published of the Bodleian. This informal meeting, George Sainton Kaye Butterworth (1885- now in the Bodleian, along with his war priority, we also support the Bodleian’s with our Preventive Conservation team to in 2001. The ‘Crown Winter’ manuscript which was kindly facilitated by former 1916) was one of the most promising English diaries, letters, photographs, and a fascinating key strategic goals (amongst which is learn about our environmental monitoring has much in common with it, bearing the Bodleian Japanese Librarian, Ms Izumi Tytler, composers of his generation, but his life was scrapbook which contains much of the digitization and digital preservation), by systems and digitisation workflows. same inscription ‘Music by G.S.K.B.’ in the was a great opportunity to discuss future cut short when, aged 31, he was killed at original material on which the memorial sharing our expertise on the physicality top left corner, and being almost certainly possibilities to continue enhancing our links the Battle of the Somme. A highly self- volume was based. There is also a remarkable of the collections. The lecture also stressed written in the same (as yet unidentified) with overseas Friends who are very keen to Virginia M. Lladó-Buisán critical composer, before going off to war film of Butterworth Morris dancing, that, despite the emphasis placed on the hand. support the Bodleian. Head of Conservation and Collection Care, he destroyed all but the handful of works by taken on a Kinora ‘flipbook’ machine in virtual library, physical collections are the Bodleian Libraries which he is known today, notably his song- Evidently an early work, ‘Crown Winter 1912, now freely accessible on YouTube. subject of the digital world: ultimately, they An additional positive outcome of the visit settings of A.E. Housman’s poems from A are important to the people because they was the setup of an exchange programme Shropshire lad, the orchestral rhapsody of define our identity; therefore, we have a for conservators at the Bodleian and the same name, and an orchestral idyll The Martin Holmes Alfred Brendel Curator of Music, duty to continue meeting high standards of the National Diet Library of Japan to banks of Green Willow, which are generally Bodleian Libraries considered to be masterpieces. The ‘new’ three-page manuscript score is a setting of a short festive poem by Robert RESEARCH Bridges, beginning with the words ‘Crown Winter with green’. The song was listed in a privately printed memorial volume which CARBON DATING OF THE SYMBOL ‘ZERO’ IN A BODLEIAN MANUSCRIPT Butterworth’s father produced in 1918 as a tribute to his son, in which it is stated that a oon after I moved to Oxford, I was More recently I was introduced to Professor of science and innovation from the Science friend had sent him copies of two of his son’s Sinformed of a rare object in the Bodleian Marcus du Sautoy, a well-known University Museum, where Marcus is a trustee. The early songs, ‘Crown Winter with green’ and collections, the Bakhshali manuscript (MS. of Oxford mathematician and Simonyi proposal included a request to have the item ‘Haste on, my joys’, both settings of Bridges’s Sansk. d. 14), said to note the first use of a Professor for the Public Understanding of carbon-dated. poems. The songs subsequently disappeared zero in mathematics. I was also told, ‘but we Science. Professor de Sautoy is often in the and have since been listed as ‘lost’ in the After much discussion it was decided really don’t know how old it is’. I wondered media, especially in television programmes Butterworth literature. by Bodley’s Librarian to go ahead and how can it be labelled ‘oldest’ if the date is related to mathematics and the history of organise the dating to be carried out in the It transpires that the ‘Crown Winter’ not known? mathematics. His particular interest is in University of Oxford’s Oxford Radiocarbon manuscript had lain unnoticed among the zero. When I told Professor du Sautoy about This led to a paper proposing that a tiny Accelerator Unit. The results were so papers of the Butterworth Trust before Bakhshali, he came to see it and seemed sample be removed from the birch bark astounding and complicated that we had being transferred to the Bodleian some really engaged and interested. Top page of Butterworth’s song and Carbon 14 dating carried out. At to go through the data with a ‘fine-tooth years ago. Its identity as one of the two ‘lost’ songs did not become known until Crown Winter with green that time the proposal was rejected on In 2016 we received a request to borrow comb’ to check we were happy to release (MS. Mus. c. 664). the understandable grounds that sampling one of the leaves from Bakhshali for the the results. would be required. exhibition Illuminating India: 5000 years NOTABLE CATALOGUES FIRST ONLINE CATALOGUE OF THE BODLEIAN’S OWN HISTORIC ARCHIVE

W. H. F. TALBOT CATALOGUES riting in his History of the Bodleian A handwritten finding aid for Library WLibrary, 1845-1945 the former Records was produced in the 1980s as part ery few inventions are amply Viewed as physical artefacts, many of Talbot’s Bodley’s Librarian, Sir Edmund Craster, of a project to re-classify and catalogue Vdocumented from the moment of their photographs are objects of beauty and thanked the Curators of the Bodleian Library Records. This listing, which conception through to their perfection. mystery. Each was made by hand on a sheet Library ‘for the unrestricted use […] of remained in the hands of Library staff, William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) of paper, exposed to objects under sunlight their library records’. More recently Mary ensured mediated access to the permanently conceived the art of photography in 1833, or in improvised cameras. Negatives were Clapinson, former Keeper of Western preserved historical records of the Bodleian. achieved his first images by 1834 and the natural output of this process and many Manuscripts, noted in her Brief history of the More recently a copy of this listing has been revealed the art to the public in 1839. By of them were printed, again on a hand- Bodleian Library (2015) her reliance ‘on the made available from behind a staff desk in the time he ceased taking photographs coated sheet of paper. library’s well-preserved archives’. Indeed the Special Collections Reading Room. in 1846, he had created more than 4,000 it is unimaginable that these narratives of The earliest known Bodleian Library reader’s card Not everything Talbot at the Bodleian is By the early 21st century it was clear that distinct images that survive in the form of the Bodleian’s progress and development (Library Records c. 1693). occurring in cyberspace. In 2014 the Library a more universally and remotely accessible more than 25,000 hand-made negatives over the past centuries could be quite as acquired – with the help of the Friends of finding aid needed to be created. Work began and prints. Collectively, they map out the rich without the documentary evidence from other institutions for safekeeping. the Bodleian – the personal archive of Talbot on transcribing the 1980s handwritten listing technical and aesthetic progress of the new provided in the Bodleian’s own corporate As a whole this archive is a unique and and his family. Largely non-photographic, into Excel spreadsheets in order that these art from the first days of its infancy to the archive, Bodleian ‘Library Records’. valuable resource providing evidence for the archive has tremendous potential for might then be imported into cataloguing eve of its maturity. Equally, they dramatically The Library Records collection includes the activities of the Bodleian throughout greater understanding of the breadth of software and an online finding aid could be document the emergence of Talbot himself papers concerning Library finances; the its 400-year history. The online catalogue Talbot’s scholarly activities and the world in generated. as the first photographic artist. Captured in construction and repair of buildings; the forms a gateway to an unrivalled collection which he lived. silver are cities that have changed, people acquisition and cataloguing of collections; 2016 saw the publication of the first of materials for the study of the history of long passed, objects of virtue and those of Of particular importance are the physical correspondence with donors, depositors, and online finding aid for Library Records. libraries and collecting, intellectual history everyday utility, timeless depictions of light artefacts that demonstrate the influences enquirers; and records of readers’ admission The finding aid itself, taking as its basis the and the dissemination of knowledge, book and shade. exerted by the women in his family, in and book orders. handwritten listing, is formed of five main and manuscript provenance, book history, particular their educative roles, their shared series: A) Administration, B) Collections, manuscript studies, and the development Professor Larry J. Schaaf has studied this body Work to provide a subject list for Library interests in botany, languages, art, travel, C) Public Relations, D) Modern Bodleian of the librarianship, archives and records of work for nearly half a century, building Records was undertaken by Falconer Madan and history. There is a strong connection Departments (post-1930s), and E) Unofficial management as professional occupations. databases and relating the images to Talbot’s in 1912 and printed copies of A subject index to Oxford as the Archive includes some Papers. Treasures from the Library Records copious notebooks and correspondence. for the arrangement of records, correspondence and The full finding aid can be found at of the first pictures of the city. Alongside include the earliest known ‘reader’s card’ The Bodleian Libraries, with the help of papers appear to have been issued from 1913 www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwmss/wmss/ items related to Talbot’s pioneering work Foglia di peonia, photogenic drawing negative, 1839, from 1613/14 and an admission register generous sponsors, is now in the process to 1920. Much of the evidence of this work online/1500-1900/lib-recs/lib-recs.html. in photography, the Archive also sheds Bertoloni Album, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, from 1940 where on the same page of making the fruit of this research freely to standardise the production and retention valuable light on his personal life, his role New York, 36-37.9; Schaaf 2262. feature the signatures of Iris Murdoch and available through The William Henry Fox of the Library’s administrative records exists managing his estate at Lacock, his life as Philip Larkin. Other records detail the Talbot Catalogue Raisonné. Talbot’s work is within Library Records itself and now forms Oliver House, a Member of Parliament, and his range of Library’s contribution to the war effort Deputy Superintendent, Special Collections held in many private and public collections part of the historical record. intellectual interests. with accounts of collections taken on Reading Rooms, Bodleian Libraries worldwide and this online catalogue makes it possible to examine scattered examples side About 6,000 images and 25,000 records by side. It also forms the visual companion are already accessible in a virtual form, and to Schaaf’s Correspondence of WHFT, which this corpus is growing constantly. There is put transcriptions of 10,000 of Talbot’s also a weekly blog that explores various letters online starting in the late 1990s. aspects of Talbot’s work: http://foxtalbot. PEOPLE bodleian.ox.ac.uk. The Correspondence The Catalogue Raisonné covers Talbot’s can be consulted at http://foxtalbot. experiments before the public announcement dmu.ac.uk/letters/letters. The finding aid of the art in January 1839. That summer he for the Talbot Archive at the Bodleian is BODLEIAN APPOINTS ITS FIRST EDUCATION OFFICER sent an example of a photogenic drawing of available at www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/ a peony leaf to his friend, the Italian botanist scwmss/wmss/online/1500-1900/talbot- he appointment of Rosie Sharkey to a Library and at the University Church in Antonio Bertoloni, proudly signing it on fox/talbot-fox.html. three-year term as Education Officer Cambridge. Since her appointment at the the verso ‘H.F. Talbot photogr. 1839’. This T confirms the Bodleian’s commitment to Bodleian in April 2017, she has organized photogram was made by placing the leaf making Libraries collections accessible, in large-scale events, including the first late- directly on the sensitive paper and placing Professor Larry J. Schaaf Part of Queen’s College, Oxford, salted paper print from a calotype negative, 1843. The National a variety of ways, to learners of all ages. night event at the Weston Library around the the package in the sunshine – Nature Director, William Henry Fox Talbot Science and Media Museum, Bradford, 1937- Thanks to funding from the Helen Hamlyn theme of ‘Colour’. Her printing workshops produced the drawing through the magic Catalogue Raisonné 1296/3; Schaaf 1461. Trust, the Bodleian has now joined our peer on Self-Publish Saturdays draw from various of physics. By 1843 Talbot had perfected institutions, the University museums and the traditions: European hand-printing, artisanal both his chemistry and his vision sufficiently Botanic Garden, in hosting school visits and methods of Latin America, and risography. to enable him to make the striking image in presenting a lively programme of events Ms Sharkey also arranges visits for school of ‘Part of Queen’s College, Oxford’. His for the public. These events are linked to groups, enabling pupils to learn from the brushstrokes in coating the paper are clearly Bodleian collections and exhibitions, and the Bodleian’s collections and to benefit from evident in this print. In June 1844, he made participants benefit greatly from the skills and curatorial expertise. additional prints from this negative to form knowledge of Bodleian staff and of students the first plate in his pioneering book, The and academics of the University. Ms Sharkey Dr Alexandra Franklin Rosie Sharkey during an outreach session. pencil of Nature (1844–1846). was previously employed in education Project Coordinator Courtesy: John Cairns. outreach at the Cambridge University Centre for the Study of the Book, Bodleian Libraries CELEBRATING RUTH BIRD TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL TURNER (1935-2017)

any friends and colleagues of Ruth Libraries, providing much sage council to ichael L. Turner came to the from Chicago in 1975 (22 tons in a MBird gathered in the St Cross Building the department’s endeavours. MBodleian as a trainee in 1959, after specially chartered aeroplane). Many years on 23 February last year in honour of Ruth’s his National Service, which followed later, he was deemed the best person Embedding the library service firmly 13 years of dedicated service to the Faculty his PPE degree at Keble. He returned to manage the Bodleian Old Library within the activities of the Law Faculty of Law and the Bodleian Libraries. as a permanent staff member in 1961, Development project, postponing his has been a driving force for Ruth. The on the completion of his librarianship retirement to see its completion. As the fourth Bodleian Law Librarian, work in developing the legal research and course at Loughborough. He moved Ruth’s contribution to the development of bibliographic skills of students, researchers, His scholarly interest in printing, through departments from Oriental to the Bodleian Law Library’s collections and and law professionals has been particularly publishing, and book history took Michael Cataloguing to Printed Books, and finally services has assured the Law community notable and appreciated. frequently to the United States, where he to one he was instrumental in creating, of the Bodleian’s leading support for the was a regular lecturer. His ideas of libraries Ruth’s retirement will be felt both Conservation. Here he remained under profession. By undertaking, on behalf of were much influenced by those he visited nationally and internationally. From 2008 its changed title of Preservation and the Library, research and consultancy work there, and he proved to be the perfect to 2011 she was a member of the Council Collection Care till he retired in 2001. associated with institutions that include the Secretary of Bodley’s American Friends, of the British and Irish Association of Law Max Planck Institute, the Inns of Court, Michael was a towering presence in the the younger sibling of our own Friends. Librarians (BIALL) and from 2013 to 2016 and Myanmar’s University of Yangon, Library throughout his career, probably the 1st Vice President of the International Michael loved to regale his younger Ruth demonstrated the vital relevance of knowing more about its various activities Association of Law Librarians (IALL). Both colleagues with tales of the Library, law librarianship to legal scholarship and (and their history) than any contemporary organisations awarded her life membership especially the eccentricities of many of its the role that law librarians have to play in staff member. He supervised the move of in recognition of her distinguished career staff, and with his death much knowledge the development of robust and just legal the John Johnson Collection of Printed in law librarianship and contribution to the of the Bodleian’s lore has sadly been lost. systems. Ephemera from the Oxford University Michael Turner. Ruth Bird. profession. Ruth was elected an Honorary Press to its specially furnished home in the In Oxford, Ruth’s capacity to support every Bencher of the Middle Temple in 2010. New Library in 1968, and the Harding Clive Hurst kind of reader and the kindness and care collection of books and manuscripts Former Head of Rare Books, Bodleian Library that she showed to her staff, mean that she Member of the Friends’ Council Louise Clarke, Helen Garner, and Margaret relating to music as well as musical scores will be sorely missed. Ruth has also been Watson, Bodleian Social Sciences Libraries a pivotal member of the Social Sciences Subject Group and, for two years, was the interim Head of the Social Sciences

COLIN HARRIS AWARDED HONORARY M.A. AFTER NEARLY NEW MEMBERS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE e have much pleasure in welcoming the M. L. Houssemayne du Boulay, Salisbury, A. F. Sutton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Wfollowing new Friends (this list continues Wiltshire A. Tarantello, Oxford n September 2017 Colin Harris retired of the Special Collections Reading that published in the Summer 2016–Winter S. Kelorita, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey N. Thomas, Bognor Regis, West Sussex Ifrom the Bodleian after nearly fifty years’ Rooms. When the New Bodleian closed 2016/17 Newsletter) service. its doors in 2011, Colin ensured that the M. Kitchener, Highworth, Wiltshire D. Thompson, Fresno, California, USA excellent reader service continued, firstly C. & M. Kohler, Dorking, Surrey ‘Young Mr Harris’ joined the Bodleian D. & J. Triffitt, Oxford at the Radcliffe Science Library, and from H. Adams & M. Bryan, Cookham, in 1967 as a Library Clerk, providing V. Love, London J. Vale, Wheatley, Oxfordshire October 2014 in the new Weston Library. Berkshire general assistance to readers in Duke L. Malm, Oxford J. Vickery, Oxford Humfrey’s Library. Over the next ten years The outstanding feature of Colin’s career K. Arnold-Forster, Oxford H. Marks, Oxford J. & R. Whitley, Ulverston, Cumbria he took on more senior roles in Duke was his dedication to all types of library J. Becker, Woodstock, Oxfordshire V. & J. Mendes, Oxford H. C. Yates, Marching Green, Essex Humfrey’s and acquired a considerable reader, from senior academics to Masters G. Bird, Thame, Oxfordshire general knowledge of the collections. He students, from professional writers to L. Miller, Banbury, Oxfordshire J. Zeligs, Marina, California, USA B. Bishop, Witney, Oxfordshire also developed an abiding interest in the amateur historians. This dedication was P. & S. Minger, Alameda, California, USA and many more members who wished to remain S. Blackmore & D. Wiltshire, Warminster, Library’s local history and photographic recognised by the University when, A. Moore, Oxford anonymous. collections. on 18 July 2017, Colin received an Wiltshire R. Napper, Oxford Honorary M.A. in the Sheldonian P. & M. Buckingham, Witney, Oxfordshire In 1980 Colin successfully applied for the Theatre. The honour, which is only C. Neale, Oxford newly created post of Principal Library H.L. Chow, Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico conferred on university staff in exceptional M. Nottingham, Oxford Assistant in the Department of Western J. Cotton, Campbell, Australia circumstances, recognises not just the Manuscripts, and moved from Duke J. Pettifer, Oxford length (nearly fifty years) but the quality P. & J. Dean, Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire Humfrey’s to the Modern Papers Reading S. Ribeiro, Oxford of Colin’s service to the Bodleian and its K. Dhammasami, Oxford Room (Room 132) in the New Bodleian. readers. Our warmest congratulations go J. & C. Rolfe, Oxford With expertise, unfailing patience, and Colin Harris. Courtesy: Jo Maddocks. C. Donovan, Oxford to Colin! We also welcome Colin as a new I. Santiago Gonzalez, Oxford personal touch, he advised readers on all Member of the Friends’ Council S. Garrood, Oxford Life member of the Friends. S. P. Shaw, London aspects of the modern collections. P. Goldsbrough, High Peak, Derbyshire C. Spitz, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA In 2008 Colin also assumed responsibility D. R. Haines, Wokingham, Berkshire Dr Christopher Fletcher D. Sprigings & N. Robinson, Oxford for the day-to-day running of Duke Keeper of Special Collections, Bodleian Libraries W. Hanrott, Oxford Humfrey’s, and was made Superintendent P. J. R. & L. R. Stopford, Oxford C. G. Harris, Oxford APPEAL FOR LIBRARY VOLUNTEER GUIDES

The Venue Services Department is looking You will join our experienced team of If you are interested in becoming a to recruit four or five new volunteers to volunteer guides, and will be able to volunteer guide and would like to apply, take guided tours round the Old Bodleian meet them at various talks and events please contact Cath Poucher, Tours Library as part of our public tours organised throughout the year. We value Coordinator, on 01865 287400 or email programme. the contribution that our guides make and [email protected]. look forward to welcoming newcomers to Full training will be provided, and a the team. commitment of four tours per month is requested. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history of the Bodleian and to share your enthusiasm with our visitors.

Photos: Angelsharp