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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Congratulations to our Velde Graduate Fellowship recipients for 2026-2027! Read more about their projects in our new blog post (link below).

Graphic with text: "Meet our 2026-2027 Velde Graduate Fellows. Megi Mecolli, Camellia Paul, Sophie Weinberg."

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Shelfmarks: H.G. Wells letter to Sarah Wells (1892) - H.G. Wells papers, A07-020 Photo of H.G. Wells and his mother, Sarah (circa 1904) - A07-020

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Today we celebrate the birthday of English novelist and essayist, H.G. Wells (1866-1946)! Here we have a letter written to his mother, Sarah, in 1892, in which Wells describes how he spent his 26th birthday, and a picture of the two outside Spade House circa 1904.

Front and back of a letter from H.G. Wells to his mother, featuring drawings ("picshuas") of him writing and reading.

Photo of H.G. Wells and Sarah Wells sitting outside of Spade House.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Exciting news! RBML was featured on WGN-TV this morning in their interview with Michael VanBlaricum, who discussed the Michael L. VanBlaricum Ian Fleming and Bondiana collection, and the Ian Fleming Foundation collection. Watch the interview here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNWT...

Left: Page from the Casino Royale (1954) film script. Right: Book jacket sketch for Octopussy and the Living Daylights (1966).

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This exhibit provides context for the writing of Frankenstein (1818) and examines its cultural impact in the years since publication.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Join us on Thursday, September 24 from 3-5 pm for the opening of our new exhibit, "I could people the hours with creations": Celebrating Mary Shelley's Frankenstein! Curator Lynne Thomas will present brief remarks and refreshments will be served.

Graphic with text: "New exhibit in RBML. 'I could people the hours with creations': Celebrating Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Please join us for the opening reception Thursday, September 24, 3-5pm in the RBML."

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Shelfmark: Talking with my feet; memoirs of a very real strike in a mythical institution herein called "Suffren Hospital" (circa 1963-1965) - Modern Poetry 811 D8521t

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This book of poetry (circa 1963-1965), written by Local 1199 Drug & Hospital Union organizer and educational director Marshall Dubin, offers reflections on the strikes held by New York hospital workers in 1959 and 1962.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

RBML will be closed on Monday, September 7 in honor of Labor Day. We will reopen with our regular hours on Tuesday, September 8.

Left: poem titled "Donations." Right: poems titled "My Union" and "Where is the union?"

Booklet open to an image of Local 1199 members picketing.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A special congratulations to Cait and Chloe! We're so proud!

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

(And for those of us especially interested in book history, the bookplate was a successor to the book curse, which we discussed in our post on January 28!) Shelfmark: John Starr Stewart Ex Libris collection - Q. 097 Ex96 go.library.illinois.edu/StewartDigit...

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

These engraved plates were used to indicate the ownership of a book to its reader, often using the Latin phrase "Ex Libris," which translates to "from the library of."

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Today's Collection Spotlight highlights the John Starr Stewart Ex Libris collection, which contains approximately 1500 bookplates that span roughly 1725-1953.

Bookplate of W.E. Daignault depicting two cats shoulder to shoulder.

Bookplate of Abigail Ann Atwood depicting a young girl reading a book on a large chair before a blackboard.

Bookplate of Theodore C. Lund, M.D. depicting an owl perched on a stack of books near a human skull.

Bookplate of Edna B. Stockhouse depicting a woman reading a book with one hand resting on a vase.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

RBML will return to its academic year operating hours on Monday, August 24. Be sure to visit our website for the most up-to-date information!

library.illinois.edu

Rare Book and Manuscript Library | University Library | Illinois

RBML (@illinois_rbml) • Instagram photos and videos

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Welcome (back) to campus, Illini! We are always excited to see new and familiar faces, so please consider stopping by RBML, whether it's your first visit or your 100th.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Shelfmark: May I bring a friend? (1964) - SE. D444M

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Pictured here is May I Bring a Friend? (1964), a children's book by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers about a boy with many animal friends. The colorful illustrations by Italian artist Beni Montresor earned the book a Caldecott Medal in 1965.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Today is the International Day of Friendship, which celebrates the bonds people make with one another around the world. Be sure to show your appreciation for your friends today!

Illustrated book cover for May I Bring a Friend? (1964).

Top: open book with an illustration of a king and queen sitting on their thrones. Bottom: open book with illustrations of a small boy, queen, and king having tea with zoo animals.

Front board with an illustration of a small boy and lion wearing masks.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Shelfmark: A new, moral, and entertaining game of the reward of merit (1801) - IUZ00383

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

If a player landed on a "mischievous" figure, such as the untrustworthy "Story Teller," they would be punished. Notable is the game's use of a teetotum instead of a die, which was associated with the "vice" of gambling. This video demonstrates the use of a teetotum with our 3D-printed model.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Invented by George Fox of London, The Reward of Merit sought to instruct its young players about aspects of Victorian morality. If a player landed on a tile depicting a "virtuous" figure, such as the hardworking "Ploughman," they would be rewarded.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Need to add something new to your game night rotation? Look no further than A New, Moral, and Entertaining Game of the Reward of Merit (1801). These images show a portion of the original linen game board and our playable facsimile!

Image of a partial game board titled "A New, Moral, and Entertaining Game of THE REWARD OF MERIT."

Close-up of a 3D-printed teetotum and modern game pieces on top of a facsimile game board.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Shelfmarks: A Snake in the Glass (1988) - Collins 2257 Vlyssis Aldrouandi patricii Bononiensis Serpentum, et draconu[m] historiae libro duo ([1640]) - IUQ00259 Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus libri : cum aeneis figuris ([circa 1650-1653]) - IUQ01399

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Happy World Snake Day! World Snake Day is a global awareness day dedicated to appreciating the diversity, beauty, and ecological importance of snakes. Snakes feature as both symbols and specimens in our holdings, so slither on down to RBML and check them out! 🐍

Illustration of the “Ouroboros," which depicts a snake eating its own tail.

Illustration of a snake, titled "Vipera Mas."

Illustration of a serpent with a broad body.

Illustration of a snake skeleton, titled "Sceleton anguis Aefculapij."

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Shelfmark: The Declaration of Independence (1976) - Collins 0904

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

RBML will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of Indepencence Day, and will reopen with our modified summer hours on Monday, July 6. In view of the 250th anniversary, here is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, published in miniature by Achille J. St Onge for the U.S. Bicentennial.

Hand holding open a miniature book, showing the well-known passage of the Declaration of Independence that begins "We hold these Truths to be self-evident..."

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Shelfmark: "The Ballad of the Free" (1966) - Q. 811.08 B78 no.4

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

"The Ballad of the Free" was first distributed by Broadside Press in 1966, and later appeared in Walker's second collection of poetry, Prophets for a New Day (1970). This red-and-blue broadside was designed by Cledie Taylor (1926-2026), a prolific Detroit-based artist and educator.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Margaret Walker (1915-1998) was an American poet, writer, and educator, often recognized for her contributions to the Black Chicago Renaissance. Walker was also the first Black person to win the Yale Series of Younger Poets Award, earned for her first collection of poetry, For My People (1942).

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

RBML will be closed on Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. We will reopen on Monday, June 22, with our modified summer hours.

Poetry broadside of "The Ballad of the Free" by Margaret Walker superimposed over a shaded background.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Shelfmarks: Athletics and football (1887) - 796 Sh3a1887 Memorie del calcio fiorentino (1688) - 796.33 B51m Official programme season 1964-65 : Tottenham Hotspur (1965) - Churchill 0425

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Goaaaal! Or shall we say, Gol! ⚽️ Today marks the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking place in several US cities plus Mexico and Canada. We’re joining the summer soccer—ahem, football—fun-train with some books dedicated to the beautiful sport.

Illustration of football players titled "The Dribbling Game."

Left: Title page for Athletics and Football (1887) by Montague Shearman. Right: Book page with an illustration of men tackling one another titled "Collared."

Illustration of a playing field surrounded by buildings in Florence, Italy.

Left: Title page for Memorie del calcio fiorentino: tratte da diverse scritture e dedicate all'altezze serenissime di Ferdinando principe di Toscana e Violante Beatrice di Baviera (1688). Right: Front cover of a program for the Tottenham Hotspur football club 1964-1965 season.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Shelfmark: Sentiments and similes of William Shakespeare (1851) - 822.33 HH88

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

A compilation of selected Shakespearean works, the volume (1851) also includes terra cotta cameos of Shakespeare and his initials, which were inserted into the front and rear covers, and detailed chromolithography.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Today's Collection Spotlight is an example of papier-mâché binding, a popular feature of Gothic Revival gift books, designed by English artist Henry Noel Humphreys (1810-1879). This technique involved applying a plaster mixture over or combined with papier-mâché, which was then pressed into a mold.

High-relief papier-mâché binding with a terra cotta cameo of Shakespeare.

High-relief papier-mâché binding with a terra cotta cameo of Shakespeare's initials.

Page of text titled "Ambition" within a chromolithographed illuminated ornamental border.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Shelfmarks: In Flanders fields: and other poems (1919) - 821 M13i Photo of flower bed [015-020-056k] - Carl Sandburg papers (Asheville accession), Photo box A4-50

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

The background photo of poppies and other flowers seen here was found in the Carl Sandburg papers and likely taken in Asheville, North Carolina.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

The American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in 1920, inspired by the 1915 poem, "In Flanders Fields," by Canadian soldier and physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

RBML will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen with our modified summer hours on Tuesday, May 26.

Image of "In Flanders Fields" superimposed on an image of poppies and other flowers.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Shelfmarks: Tēs Theias Graphēs palaias dēladē kai neas hapanta (1524-1526) - 220.48 B471524 Nouum Testamentum Graece (1524) - IUA17770

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Ever wondered about the origins of the term "venereal disease"? Or want to look at a beautifully illuminated early Greek translation of the New Testament? How about both at the same time? Check out our latest blog post: wordpress.library.illinois.edu/rbx/2026/05/...

Two pages with illuminated initials and painted coat of arms.

Page with enlarged type and illuminated initial.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

The second photo shows Luvenia Wims, maternal grandmother of Gwendolyn Brooks, circa 1920s. The third photo shows Gwendolyn Brooks' paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Brooks, circa 1910s.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Happy belated Mother's Day from RBML! The first photo shows Gwendolyn Brooks next to her mother, Keziah C. Wims Brooks (second from right), and her two children, Henry Blakely III (far left) and Nora Blakely (in regalia) in 1972.

Photo of Henry Blakely III, Nora Brooks Blakely, Keziah C. Wims Brooks, and Gwendolyn Brooks outside Assembly Hall.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

We had so much fun painting fore-edges at our event yesterday! Thank you to everyone who came and participated, and a special thanks to the artists who let us share their work here! 🎨📚

Three people posing with their fore-edge paintings.

Five people posing with their fore-edge paintings.

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Shelfmarks: “Konglish” by Jana Sim (2010) - IUB01763 “Language Möbius” by Jana Sim (2011) - IUB01945

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University of Illinois RBML @illinoisrbml.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! These artists’ books by Jana Sim explore the challenges of living with two different languages. “Konglish” features movable paper wheels (volvelles). “Language Möbius” represents the mental loop between Korean and English in a conversation.

Cover to an artist's book reading "Konglish" in blue and white letters on a white background.

A blue and red volvelle (paper wheel) featuring words in Korean and English.

A page featuring several circles made up of words in Korean and English in blue and red, each bordered with the phrase "Two different languages MIXED in my head." The word "MIXED" has both blue and red letters.

A Möbius strip with blue and red words in Korean and English.

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