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Author Archives: V. Lacey
Goodbye and thankyou
Well, this is it. Six years ago we were interviewing prospective staff, moving new furniture into the office, finding out just how cold the Library tower gets in winter. Six years have, as usual, flown by, and this month we’ve … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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The gentle art of sandwich making
What are you having for lunch today? A sandwich, by any chance? Ham or cheese, perhaps? How boring! Recently I came across a handy little booklet published in 1924 by Country Life magazine and enticingly called Portable lunches [1924.7.2746]. The … Continue reading
Curing yourself of the smoking habit
You may or may not be aware that last month was the Department of Health’s official stop smoking month, it was Stoptober. This blog is for all of you who struggled all month but failed to kick the habit. It’s … Continue reading
Posted in Friday feature, Smoking
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Fine china
Ooh, lovely, a Royal Doulton china catalogue, I thought as I picked this up. Then I opened it and realised that well, it’s not the sort of china you put roses in … In fact, it’s called a Catalogue of … Continue reading
Tarzan – a Romance of the Jungle
This is a remarkable and sensational book, which tells the story of a young English aristocrat who, born on a desert island, learns from the apes the dread secrets of the forest. The adventures which befall him, his perils and … Continue reading
Summer holidays
With the August bank holiday approaching, I couldn’t resist this brochure advertising sunny Eastbourne (Sussex) in 1922. Looking at the brochure, I’ve been planning my ideal day at the seaside as it would have been then. Trains from Victoria station in London took less … Continue reading
Who do you believe?
Whilst cataloguing books relating to the early days of the First World War, I couldn’t fail but notice various references to angels appearing during the Battle of Mons. The story goes that, as the Germans advanced towards Paris against the … Continue reading
Posted in 1914, First World War
Tagged Angels of Mons, Battle of Mons, First World War, Spiritualism
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Is there life on Venus?
In June this year, many cast their eyes (safely through filters) towards the Sun to catch a glimpse of one of the most extraordinary celestial events visible in the solar system; the transit of Venus. The image of the silhouette … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Invention and discovery, Space, Venus
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Anyone for tennis?
We have catalogued a few tennis books recently, and have been struck by the changes in the game. The earliest item I can find in the Tower is Lawn Tennis : its laws and practice, dating from 1877, the year of … Continue reading
Posted in Sport, Tennis
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Indoor Games for Awkward Moments
I don’t think anyone would disagree that summer has been a bit of a washout so far. If yourself and friends or family are feeling a bit bored during a rainy afternoon or damp weekend, I recently came across a book … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Friday feature, Games
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