iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 6h

Madupurekavi. A Sinhalese ballad on a legend of the healing of a Ṣēramān-rāja' s headache through worship of the goddess Pattini with dances and sacrifices. Written on palm-leaves. #EYAFolklore ow.ly/gSmL50ZQwa6

000

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

In celebration of #WorldAnimalDay we want to share these cute monkeys by Kitao Masayoshi from his 1813 drawing manual Chōjū ryakugashiki ow.ly/Ijft50ZQzNc

0104

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Mohammed's winged mare (buraq) from Paintings illustrating Turkish costumes (MS 60368), late C18th. #EYAFolklore

031

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A #EYASurprise in Persian poetry ms 46453 is a snake skin! It came to London in the 1920s via St Petersburg. We think it may have been used to ward off pests and rodents from eating the manuscript.

042

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The Chōsen shisetsu gyōretsu zukan handscroll painting shows a procession of Korean Ambassadors on a visit to Japan in 1655. It is over 12 metres long! #EYASurprise ow.ly/EBEc50ZwzIX

042

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

One of the more unusual items in our collections is a lock of hair belonging to James Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission! #EYASurprise

011

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Example of mail art by Hassan Musa. These small-scale works are sent through the regular mail as “free art” to surprise friends and all persons who glimpse at them along the way and afterwards #EYASurprise #https://archives.soas.ac.uk/records/MS_381333

013

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

A view of Mount Fuji from under Mannen Bridge by Hokusai Katsushika, c. 1830 #EYAArchitecture ow.ly/i0Wo50ZriBe

032

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Chinese post office at Nanning photographed early C20th by Reginald Follett Codrington Hedgeland, officer in the Chinese Maritime Customs Service. #EYAArchitecture ow.ly/4bb850ZriiQ

031

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Nyatapol temple is one of the few traditional buildings in Bhaktapur that survived the 2015 earthquake intact. Photo by cIRcle, Uni of British Columbia Library, 2018 as part of a project to document the aftermath of the earthquake. #EYAArchitecture

021

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Photograph of the Augustus Bridge and Dresden cathedral, Dresden, Germany taken by tea merchant, John C Oswald in 1887. #EYAArchitecture

031

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong. Photograph taken by Herny Rue c. 1910-1913 #EYAArchitecture #https://digital.soas.ac.uk/Documents/Detail/r.c.-cathedral-hong-kong/204650

011

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Plans for the new Philips building on the main campus of SOAS, to house the library, offices, teaching rooms, sports facilities, and other dedicated spaces. Read more here about a recent project to catalogue these: ow.ly/IpFt50ZlTRE #EYAArchitecture

ow.ly

Complex Concrete: The twists and turns of the Philips Building

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the iconic Philips Building, designed by Denys Lasdun & Partners.

031

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Plans by W. Deans Cowan showing front view and pulpit of church at Ambalavao, pulpit of church at Antranobrika, pulpit of church at Ivohidahy. A note on reverse of plan reads "The roofs are at present thatch, but we hope to have tiles. The walls are brick." #EYAArchitecture

041

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

This photograph, taken by Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf, probably of the town of Cochin, shows an interesting mixture of architectural styles. The conical roof of the early Kerala temple is set against the tower of a colonial building and other roof tops. #EYAArchitecture

031

Reposted by SOAS Special Collections

HMML @visithmml.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Digitization & cataloging are complete for 26 manuscripts in private collections located in Armenia and Georgia, accessible online (vhmml.org) and by visiting HMML in Minnesota. The manuscripts were digitized by Dr. Konrad Siekierski for the "Home Saints" project. Details: bit.ly/4uXYoIO

Illuminated Gospel manuscript from Constantinople, Turkey, copied by T‘okhats‘i Mk‘ayēl in 1659 (AMKS 00016, fol. 223r)

0156

Reposted by SOAS Special Collections

The Wiener Holocaust Library @wienerlibrary.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Our collection of Manes' documents and diaries from this time are likely the most detailed descriptions of daily life written by any inmate of any concentration camp, not as a memoir, but whilst he was there The full collection has been digitised and can be found at www.whlcollections.org

whlcollections.org

Wiener Digital Collections - The Wiener Holocaust Library

Based in London, The Wiener Holocaust Library is the world’s oldest and Britain’s largest collection of original archival material on pre-war Jewish life, the Nazi era and the Holocaust.

082

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Kuruma-ebi (prawns) and Aji (horse mackerel, Trachurus japonicus, Caranx trachurus), from the first series of fish published by Eijudo, c.mid 1830′s, with a poem by Toshinoya Tomiharu. #EYAColourful digital.soas.ac.uk/Documents/Detail…

010

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

This stunning painting of a fishing boat in India was painted by Gopal Ghose (1913-1980). #EYAColourful ow.ly/6NOK50YYVe4

110

Reposted by SOAS Special Collections

Cambridge UL Special Collections @theulspeccoll.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

An exciting project to catalogue Charles #Darwin's personal library is underway! Learn about it in our latest blog: specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk?p=32108

13416

Reposted by SOAS Special Collections

National Library of Ireland @nlireland.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

The National Library of Ireland invites everyone — wherever you are — to explore #Ireland from the comfort of home with our photographic series #AroundtheIsland. Take a journey through the NLI’s collections & connect with your ancestral counties by exploring our videos: ow.ly/TsAU50Zfytf

ow.ly

Around the Island

0169

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

We are delighted to announce that the newly arranged catalogue for the Methodist Missionary papers is now available online: archives.soas.ac.uk/records/MMS

020

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

This beautiful lacquer binding shows a bird perched on a spray of roses and a butterfly on a dark chocolate ground. The centre bears the date 1165 AH (1751 CE) #EYAColourful digital.soas.ac.uk/Documents/Detail…

011

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This Japanese illustrated popular reader for children, 1916 tells the story of General Nogi. #EYAColourful ow.ly/GQnG50YYSM1

031

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This Mamluk tile reflects the growing impact of Chinese ceramics, most evident in the colour scheme mimicking Chinese blue-and-white ceramics of the Yuan and Ming dynasties. #EYAColourful ow.ly/3JUT50YYSBq

121

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

We love this illustration of the African Grape Vine by missionary and scientist Richard Baron during his time in Madagascar, 1872-1907 #EYAColourful ow.ly/Aook50YYRzt

011

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Our online catalogue for the Methodist Missionary Collection will be unavailable today for essential maintenance. We are aiming to re-publish a new, improved listing tomorrow. Keep an eye out for updates!

000

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Despite its vibrant colour, this painting by Ehigbor Osagie-Bruce Jude lyoghiojie highlights his concerns for the difficulties that confront ordinary people. #EYAColourful ow.ly/YKWw50YYRcp

061

Reposted by SOAS Special Collections

HMML @visithmml.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

The Ethiopian Manuscript Microfilm Library (EMML) has photographs of 9,000+ manuscripts microfilmed in Ethiopia from 1973–1994. Manuscript descriptions from the complete 10-volume EMML print catalog are now represented and expanded upon online in HMML Reading Room. Details: bit.ly/3PBBIPM

A manuscript in the collection of Dabra Ṣeyon Māryām Monastery in Arsi Province, Ethiopia. View the full microfilm in HMML Reading Room (EMML 7602): vhmml.org/readingRoom/view/201129

22312

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

This beautiful print, 1852, by Kuniyoshi Utagawa, Sankai medetai zue, shows a combination of a beauty and a provincial product: Bonseki of Bichū and a woman looking at buds of plum blossoms. #EYAColourful ow.ly/21hU50YSrL9

021

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Front binding of Muhammad Zuhūrī's Divan (late C16th). The cover is painted in a wonderfully colourful collection of flowers in reds, pinks and blues on a gold ground with small stylised birds appearing here and there. #EYAColourful ow.ly/lz6T50YSryC

031

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

'Royal Lamba' from Madagascar, presented to Rev A. R. Down as the district missionary. The age of this burial cloth is unknown. Lambas used for royal burial were of finer quality with gold threads. #EYAColourful ow.ly/kbSH50YSqWp in

041

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

18th century Christian liturgical texts in Bohairic Coptic with Arabic glosses. Coptic was derived from Ancient Egyptian and written in a modified Greek alphabet. #EYAHandwriting ow.ly/Jra450YRJMc

020

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Early C13th manuscript edition of the Kokin wakashū of 905, the first imperially commissioned anthology of waka, Japanese court poetry. #EYAHandwriting ow.ly/MUKw50YRIVm

053

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Hausa poem in praise of Muhammad written by Dāwūd, Son of the Imam of the Mosque of Bello. #EYAHandwriting ow.ly/hZmg50YRICG

021

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Notebooks of William Dawes, 1790, documenting the grammar and vocab of the language spoken in the area around Sydney, Australia. These books are the major source of information about the Aboriginal language of Sydney. #EYAHandwriting ow.ly/iW7n50YRHmE

064

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

This palm-leaf manuscript contains three religious works written in Pali with Sinhalese. #EYAHandwriting ow.ly/xuiK50YRH01

033

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Vocabularies of the Taheitian & some other languages, compiled by Joseph Banks during Captain James Cook's first voyage in 1760. #EYAHandwriting ow.ly/1fPX50YSp3C

045

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

A handwritten native Siamese primer. With an inscription by G.Perry stating that he received it from Captain Francis Light (whose signature is added at the end) at Madras on the 14th July 1778. #EYAHandwriting ow.ly/72O750YSqbS

063

Reposted by SOAS Special Collections

Laura Cleaver @laurajcleaver.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Would love a boost for this post to get it to those interested in Arabic manuscripts please and thank you. #Skystorians #MedievalSky @soasuni.bsky.social @soaslibrary.bsky.social @soas-speccoll.bsky.social @soashistory.bsky.social @britishlibrary.bsky.social

12323

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

The Stencl papers contain hundreds of scribbled drafts of poems and memoirs, often written on the back of re-purposed paper, such as napkins or receipts. ow.ly/gTcB50YRF0e #EYAHAndwriting

072

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

This manuscript map was draw and annotated by David Livingstone documenting his '‘Journey thro’ Barotseland’ in 1853 digital.soas.ac.uk/Documents/Detail… #EYAHandwriting

022

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

This letter, dated 1777, is from Than Phya Phimon Aisawan, Siamese Governor of Thalang and Than Phya Surintharacha, Siamese Superintendent to Captain Francis Light. The letter relates to the supply of 4000 muskets by Light to the Siamese Gvt. MS380629 #EYAHandwriting

022

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The hand captured in these images published by the International Association of the Vrindaban Research insitute show three gestures traditional in Indian dance: Bherunda, Chatura and Garuda. #InternationalDanceDay digital.soas.ac.uk/documents?return…

000

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

This portrait of Honourable William Ainslie, Puisne Judge of the High Court, Calcutta is from Sketches of Indian military and civil service notabilities of the Victorian-Edwardian age. See more portraits here: ow.ly/M38T50Ysocp #EYACrime

021

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

This example of mail art by Hassan Musa, 1933 is titled 'En taule avec des amis Hollondais' (in jail with Dutch friends'. See more of his work here: ow.ly/9Q7050YsnOV #EYACrime

031

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

This manuscript contains illustrations of the ten halls of Bhuddistic judgement with their various kinds of punishment. This image shows the Hades or Hall of Buddha, also known as the Courts of Hell.#EYACrime ow.ly/13EL50YsmGR

052

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Next time you're at SOAS Special Collections why not check out some of our comic magazines? This didactic cartoon comic showcases the inadvisability of crime with a comedic twist! (PP MS 46, Hake, Box 29) #EYAcrime

041

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Smuggling shadowed every China Navigation Co. voyage - bold, audacious, and woven into daily life. In the chaos of departure, 'pidgin' contraband slipped aboard: opium, alcohol, tobacco, textiles. Sailors looked away… or helped. #EYACrime Read more here: ow.ly/PqPy50Ysl2S

033

SOAS Special Collections @soas-speccoll.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

In 1925 William Reid, a Taikoo Sugar Refinery employee was accused of embezzlement. The event led to the revision of accounting practices #EYACrime Read more here: ow.ly/kQ4B50YskHt

042