iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Missed yesterday's eclipse? Why not check out some historical eclipses in our collection? ☀️🌕 In 1476, the German astrologer Regiomontanus published a list of future eclipses. His list of future exclipses is also an early example of colour printing in Europe. Image from Incunabula Quarto 5m.

Two page spread showing a variety of eclipses, printed in red and organge ink.

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Juliet Atkinson @julietatkinson.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

I've had a great couple days this week getting started on my UCL Special Collections Visting Fellowship research by doing some digging in the Huguenot Library collection at the National Archives @uclspeccoll.bsky.social @huguenotsociety.bsky.social

Birds in front of The National Archives, Kew

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IOE Library @ioelibrary.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

‪ Tomorrow at 4.00 pm! Our RIC Fellow, Pia Russell (U of Victoria, BC), discusses her use of the IOE Library's #SpecColl in ‘Teaching Britishness in Canada: A Historical Analysis of Schoolbooks at the Heart and Edge of Empire’. Join: bit.ly/4owbQSo @uclspeccoll.bsky.social #textbookresearch #HistEd

eventbrite.co.uk

UCL Research Institute for Collections Fellow's Talk

‘Teaching Britishness in Canada: A historical analysis of schoolbooks at the heart and edge of empire’

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UCL Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science @ucllccos.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Richard Blair, son of author Eric Blair, better known as George Orwell, has been a committed guardian of Orwell’s public legacy, working with @uclspeccoll.bsky.social to preserve and promote his father’s collection. Read more here: www.ucl.ac.uk/about/search... #UCL200 #FacesOfUCL

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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

”Either we all live in a decent world, or nobody does.” George Orwell, English novelist, journalist, critic, born 1903; author of Animal Farm (1945), Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949). BBC Archive | UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social

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Rowan Rook and Decard @rowanrookanddecard.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

We visited this excellent exhibition at UCL - but my favourite from the anti tarot deck will always be this guy

scrappy tarot card which says death with a picture of an incredibly cheery rainbow

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to our Open Morning on Magic and Western Esotericism! Some magical items from last week’s Open Morning! 🪄🔮 Tarot Cards created by Bill Griffiths (1973). Poetry Speci Quartos PIR:B5

Spread of brightly decorated cards. A fan of cards is at the top of hte image, followed by card for the Fool, Magnus, Papess, Pope, Lovers, Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Hanged man and Death

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Visit today to @uclartmuseum.bsky.social for their new exhibition running until July 2027. In association with the Survey of London, it presents a history of the Wilkins Building, told in prints, photos and drawings. Includes photos from our College Archive. Open Wednesdays, 1pm to 5pm.

A vitrine displaying photographs and a plan

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Lucya S @lucyastarza.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

I got a chance to both see and handle some of the arcane tomes and magical objects in University College London's Special Collections. How exciting! I've blogged with the details. www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/occu... @uclspeccoll.bsky.social

badwitch.co.uk

Occult London: Peeking into a Magical Special Collection

I got a chance to both see and handle some of the arcane tomes and magical objects in University College London's Special Collections. How e...

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

London students/collectors! Just under two weeks left to apply

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Join us for a workshop exploring collective memory through discussions with artist Simon Farid, collection display and a creative activity reflecting your feelings on UCL as part of the UCL200 celebrations. All are welcome! Book now on tinyurl.com/uclscmemory

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

A few places left for this popular Wikidata workshop! If you’re a UCL student or staff member curious about Wikidata, join us at Bloomsbury on 7 May to learn what it is and edit your first pieces of data using Congolese items from the university’s Ethnography Collections.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Are you a student in London with a collection of printed or handwritten materials you’re proud of? Apply for the Anthony Davis Book Collecting Prize by 25 May for a chance to win £600! Photo: stamp album covers from Penny James’ collection, 2025’s runner up. www.ucl.ac.uk/library/coll...

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The Folklore Society @folkloresociety.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

@uclspeccoll.bsky.social next Bloomsbury Open Morning on magic and western esotericism features items from The Folklore Society Library and Archives! Fri 15 May at UCL Bloomsbury: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-special-collections-open-morning-magic-and-western-esotericism-tickets-1986427018686

eventbrite.co.uk

UCL Special Collections Open Morning: Magic and Western Esotericism

Join us at our next Open Morning, where we will showcase items related to the history of magic and western esotericism.

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UCL Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science @ucllccos.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Today, our library collection is made up of two million print books alone. Sarah Pipkin, Outreach and Exhibitions Coordinator for @uclspeccoll.bsky.social, discusses her work to shine a light on 200 years of collecting at @ucl.ac.uk. www.ucl.ac.uk/library/news...

Sarah Pipkin sits at a wooden table surrounding by library shelves.

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UCL Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science @ucllccos.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

We are excited to learn that this film by @royalsociety.org, featuring the Kathleen Lonsdale archives in @uclspeccoll.bsky.social, was recently nominated for a Webby Award by the Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Watch the video here:

youtube.com

The ethical science of Kathleen Lonsdale | The Royal Society

YouTube video by The Royal Society

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UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies collection @uclhjslibrary.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Jewish calendars from Berlin: a blog post from @uclspeccoll.bsky.social Jewish Collections Project Cataloguer Ben Whittle blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...

Page from a Hebrew book with illustrations of signs of the zodiac

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

If you'd like to learn more about our new exhibition, you can read an interivew with our Outreach and Exhibitions Coordinator about the process of putting the exhibition together and some of the items on display! Link is: www.ucl.ac.uk/library/news...

ucl.ac.uk

Interview: Innovative collecting at UCL

Sarah Pipkin, Outreach and Exhibitions Coordinator for UCL Special Collections, discusses her work to shine a light on 200 years of collecting at UCL.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

UCL Library Services’ new public exhibition “On the Shelf: 200 years of building UCL’s Library collections” is now open in the Main Library. It explores the history of 8 of our library collections and tells the stories of the staff that developed them. More info: www.ucl.ac.uk/library/coll...

Text on a purple background which reads “On the Shelf: 200 years of building UCL’s library collections. A free, public exhibition in UCL Main Library. February 2026 – January 2027”. The top and bottom edges of the image are decorated with stamps from different UCL libraries.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

A few more days to apply to be our next Small Press in Residence! Outstanding collections, collaborations with us, @sladeschoolucl.bsky.social & @uclpublishing.bsky.social + £5,000 to spend flexibly! #smallpress #libraries #archives #artistresidency #artistinresidence #funding #specialcollections

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

What’s so Special about UCL Special Collections? is back at UCL East! Join us on 24 Mar to explore a selection of rare books and archives, meet members of our team, and discover the stories behind these fascinating materials at this relaxed, free event. Book now on tinyurl.com/uclopenmorning.

Poster titled “What’s so Special about UCL Special Collections?” scheduled 10-11:30am, Tuesday 24 March at Culture Lab, UCL East. Below the yellow title banner, a photo shows a young woman wearing a headscarf examining an open rare book on a foam support while others chat or browse exhibits in the background.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Call for applications! We are looking for a small press to take up a temporary residency at UCL! £5,000 to spend flexibly, an opportunity to work with outstanding collections & collaborate with brilliant students and staff! blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

Call for Small Press in Residence 2026 | UCL UCL Special Collections

UCL Homepage

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Sonia Gollance @sgollance.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Here's my new blog post about Jewish dance cards and a recent UCL bicentennial event where we learned Edwardian ballroom dances from a Jewish dance card in @uclhjslibrary.bsky.social to the same tunes that were performed in 1909. #UCL200 In partnership with @uclhjs.bsky.social and the UCL IJS.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Recently we hosted an event celebrating the rich world of Jewish dancing cards round 1900. If you'd like to read more about Jewish dancing cards in our collection, Dr Sonia Gollance has written about their history blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...

Interior page of a dance card from the Gaster Collection showing the dances and space for someone to write in agreed dance partners.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Fresh from The Survey of London and @uclpress.bsky.social - This beautiful monograph of University College London: The Bloomsbury Campus. A rich history of UCL's main campus. #ucl200

A hand holding a copy of University College London: The Bloomsbury Campus, by the Survey of London

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

This term we have launched Books and Book History at UCL Special Collections, a new MA module collaboratively designed and delivered by us and @uclhistory.bsky.social. This thread is the first in the series of student-produced posts highlighting our book history adventures! Post: Sabrina Wiggins

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UCL @ucl.ac.uk · 11/01/2026

One month to go… UCL turns 200! 🎉 On 11 February, we kick off #UCL200 – a year of celebrations marking our radical founding in 1826 as London’s first university, open to all. Expect parties, exhibitions, student festivals, art, books, performances, and more. Get ready! @uclspeccoll.bsky.social

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

UCL Special Collections will be closed from 5pm on Tuesday 23rd December until Monday 5th January. Wishing you all a very happy holiday!

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Current Special Collections Visiting Fellow Michelle Reynolds (@lovelymydear.bsky.social) is researching the role of Laurence Housman (1865-1959) in the women's suffrage movement.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Head of UCL Special Collections, Sarah Aitchison, @saraha73.bsky.social, reflects on the digital 'Prejudice in Power' exhibition. The visuals and eye‑catching quotations have drawn passersby to pause, reflect, and engage with UCLs eugenic history. blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll... #eugenics

Image of the main screen of the 'Prejudice in Power' digital exhibition at UCL's Student Centre. The speaker on the right in the image is Subhadra Das - more about her here: https://www.subhadradas.com/

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Current Visiting Fellow Andrew Whiteman (Musician @ Broken Social Scene, Creative Director @ Siren Recordings & PhD student @ Concordia) discusses his project focusing on rare AV material in our Small Press Collections. The piece he's composing in response will be premiered at UCL this summer

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Applications for The Research Institute for Collections (RIC) 2026 fellowships are now open! RIC offers funded opportunities to conduct research using our archives and manuscripts, rare printed collections, records, and museum #collections. To learn more and apply: www.ucl.ac.uk/research-ins...

ucl.ac.uk

Research Fellowships 2026

Could you be a fellow at UCL Research Institute for Collections?

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

CFP: 'Difficult Collections' Special issue of 'Paper Trails' @uclpress.bsky.social. Focus on challenges of working with troubling heritage collections (colonialism, eugenics, representation, etc). Proposals: 31/01/26; Submissions: 31/05/26. Details: blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll... #GLAM ##HistorySky

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

Call for Papers: Difficult Collections | UCL UCL Special Collections

UCL Homepage

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Applications are now open for The New Curators Project 2026! Deadline: 8pm 22 February. This annual project – offers 10 paid places for east Londoners aged 18-24 who do not have a degree but are interested in working in the cultural heritage sector. Apply now: blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...

A dark blue background with a cyan blue circle containing the words ‘Interested in working in museums, galleries, archives and libraries? Don’t have a degree and not sure where to start? Applications are now OPEN for The new Curators Project 2026!
Link in bio.’.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Are you a UCL student or staff member curious about Wikidata? Join us on 3 Dec for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll explore what Wikidata is and make your first edits using data from UCL’s Ethnography Collections. Come start your Wikidata journey with us!

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Paul Ayris @ucylpay.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

2025 marks the 60th anniversary of UCL's Small Press collections. UCL has collected widely in this area of independent radical publishing to preserve the outputs of these activities. The collections comprise 4,500 periodicals and 20,000 pamphlets. Watch a new celebratory video at lnkd.in/eAhT7M6t.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Happy Halloween! 💀🎃 What could be scarrier than a skeleton whose bones bend in unnatural ways? This drawing of a skeleton is from the 1696 Pharmacopœia Londinensis. While the skeleton may look unrealistic, the bones are accurately labelled.

Drawing of the back of a skeleton. The Boenst have been labeled with numbers, matching names written along the edge of the page.

Title page of Pharmacopœia Londinensis Or the New London Dispensatory.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

UCL Research Institute for Collections Fellow, Dr. Liz Bruchet and Ming Tiampo will be presenting at this symposium next week. Their paper will focus on 'Slade Overseas Students and Conjunctures of Global Activism' and will draw on records from our College Archive. benuri.org/events/80-sy...

benuri.org

Event: SYMPOSIUM AND BOOK LAUNCH: Metropolitan Crossings: Art, Displacement, and the Making of Modern London (1930s–1970s)

In person and Online SYMPOSIUM AND BOOK LAUNCH Metropolitan Crossings: Art, Displacement, and the Making of Modern London (1930s–1970s) Ben Uri Gallery and Museum 108a Boundary Road, St John’s Wood, L...

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British Online Archives (BOA) @boapublishing.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Coming soon to British Online Archives — Witchcraft and Magic in England, c. 1400–1920. Featuring rare records from The National Archives, British Library, UCL, and The Folklore Society. Register your interest: buff.ly/YBeFCF1

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Join us on 4 Nov for a workshop with @wikimediauk.bsky.social and discover how this project used historic student publications to support research, teaching, and public engagement. You'll also have the chance to see the original material and get hands-on training processing historical documents.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

We love inscriptions, though "Nausea" is an uncommon name to find! This inscription is from vol 1 of Denis Diderot's 1751 Encyclopédie. It is a later addition, as it is on late 19th/early 20th century paper added when the book was rebound. Who added the inscription, and why? Suggestions welcome!

Inscription reading "Dedicated to my ever loving wife Nausea Diderot".

Title page and title engraving of Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences. Title image is a full page engraving, packed with various figures staring at a central figure of a woman bathed in light.

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

In 2025 UCL Special Collections celebrates 60 years of collecting small press. This year also marks 50 years of publishing by Coracle Press @coracle.bsky.social Join us for a birthday bash! 12 November 17:00 - 20:00 Free & open to all / booking essential. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-continu...

eventbrite.co.uk

We continue to wave a small handkerchief at the world: Coracle Press @ 50

Join us to celebrate 50 years of Coracle Press!

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UCL Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science @ucllccos.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

@uclspeccoll.bsky.social has appointed Monitor Books as the inaugural Small Press in Residence as part of celebrations marking 60 years since UCL’s Small Press Collection was established. Read more here: www.ucl.ac.uk/library/news...

A collection of publications by Monitor Books.

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UCL Art Librarian @uclartlibrarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Happy National Poetry Day! For more information on the @uclspeccoll.bsky.social Poetry Store visit www.ucl.ac.uk/library/spec...

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Join us on October 23rd for our Bloomsbury Open Morning! We'll be looking at items from our collection related to sewers & clean water in C19th London 🚰 To book your free ticket, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-specia... #londonhistory #londonwater

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

A unique, free pop-in event to celebrate World Food Day. Come along on 14 Oct to explore our fascinating collections and discover the stories behind food and daily life through the ages at UCL East in Stratford. Book your ticket on tinyurl.com/UCLSpecCollF... now! #worldfoodday

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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

We are grateful to Professor Timon Screech for gifting these two coffee mugs and saucers that used to be in the academic staff common room. They will be added to the College Archive.

Two University College London branded coffee cups and saucers sitting on a desk

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