Beyond the Reading Room

This Wednesday's watermarks feature: angel motifs in one of the papers of a 16th century Turkish manuscript from the Islamic Manuscripts Collection.

We may sound playful by making a skeleton pop out from a book, but for centuries images like this one, as found in the printed page, were a serious warning of the imminence of death. For instance, these frightening illustrations were common in the published works of the seventeenth-century Jesuit preacher Jeremias Drexel.

All gifts to the library on Giving Blueday help fund our acquisition of John James Audubon's The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, a magnificent collection of 150 hand-colored lithographic plates.

Americans love pie any time of year, but in November pie is particularly in the spotlight. Apple, mince, pumpkin… every family seems to have its own traditional pie repertoire for Thanksgiving. But since we're heading into cranberry season anyway, here’s something a little different for your festive board: Mock Cherry Pie, made with cranberries and raisins -- a common recipe in our late 19th and early 20th century cookbooks.

Mark your calendars!
Join us December 2nd, 2014, for the launch and mini-exhibit of our online exhibit, "Intersections: Cultures, Identities, Narratives" showcasing
selections from U-M Special Collections Library’s Cuban Artists’ Books and featuring the work of artist, Rolando Estévez

A beautifully crafted, limited edition of essays and poems by Joseph Labadie was recently donated to us. Jo Labadie & His Little Books was created on a hand-operated printing press and bound by Michael Coughlin at his print shop in Cornucopia, Wisconsin.

This Wednesday's watermarks feature: On pot or not?! Pot / jug motifs in an 18th century Turkish manuscript and a 17th century English manuscript.

It seems odd that the first recorded images of tiny creatures as seen through the lenses of a microscope were engravings of a bee included in a bilingual edition (Latin and Italian) and commentary of the poetry of the first-century Roman satirist Aulus Persius. But here is the fascinating story explaining it all.

Jerry “Jai” Moore, the remaining officer from the Detroit Area Council of the Mattachine Society (1958-1960), shared memories of his involvement in gay life and activism in 1950s and 60s Detroit . UM Professor Gayle Rubin opened the event with a discussion about the importance of libraries, in particular the Labadie Collection, in her quest for affirmation.

Part of the Special Collections Library's Film, Theatre and Television Archives, the Robert Shaye-New Line Cinema Papers contains material on Robert Shaye’s career as a founder of New Line Cinema, producer, director, distributor and actor in Hollywood. New Line Cinema’s famous productions include the Nightmare on Elm Street series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Austin Powers and the Lord of the Rings movies.