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

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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

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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

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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

Posted in Advertisements, Bathrooms, Friday feature, Invention and discovery | 3 Comments

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

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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

Posted in Friday feature, Holidays | Tagged | 1 Comment

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

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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 | Leave a comment

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 | 2 Comments

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 | 3 Comments