Tweets from the library @NtlMuseumsScot, one of the finest collections of archaeology, decorative arts & natural history.
For enquiries email library@nms.ac.uk
Requested by a reader this week is 'The Expert Sword- Man's Companion' from 1728. Below is the first lesson on fighting with the small sword. You are to start by taking off your hat with your left hand although these two gents below seem to have gone straight to attack mode!
ALT photo of book with fold out illustration of two men sword fighting
Always a treat to discover items you didn't know about when they are requested to the reading room. This Album of archaeological sketches by Adam De Cardonnel features drawings and information on the Temple of Sulis Minerva- Goddess of healing, water and curses!
Found within a bound volume on Orkney is this 18th century account of the notorious criminal John Gow ,Alias Smith the Pirate, taken from The Malefactor's Register; or The Newgate and Tyburn calendar and includes an engraving of a pirate being hanged at Execution Dock.
Today is #SummerSolstice. From the 1815 book 'Costume of the original inhabitants of the British Islands' are these two wonderfully attired Druids ready for the celebrations #librarytwitter
ALT colour plate from a book showing two bearded men wearing long flowing white gowns. one is wearing leaves in his hair and carrying a golden staff. the other is carrying a golden crescent moon. It is entitled Costume of the Druidical Order.
It's #FootballFriday so from the archives is a photo from 1935 of the Scottish supporters wearing their finest tartan scarves and bunnets on their way to a match at Wembley
ALT large group of men and boys, many wearing tartan bunnets and scarves photographed on their way to a football match
Although we are no stranger to finding scraps of paper and sticky notes inside returned books *Stares in Librarian*😡,We found this inside a book that has remained half read for some time! An awesome old fish shaped bookmark advertising Cod Liver Oil #librarytwitter
ALT a photo of a view of a book with a tiny paper fish face peering out the top of book
ALT Full view of the fish shaped bookmark. Antique coloured paper book page marker advertising Cod liver oil
Did you know that our library has books on nearly every subject? After hearing a lot of people talking about these topics in Edinburgh all week, we thought we would bring these books from the Costume and Ornithology sections #FunFactFriday#EdinburghTStheErasTour
Our volunteers have been working on upgrading our rare book records including 'The Natural History of the Feline Species' by William Rhind. This book from 1824 has over 30 coloured plates. Here are a few highlights #CatsAndTwitter#LibraryTwitter
Spotted in our volume of 'A miscellany of proof prints for named 19th century Chambers publications' was this image that reads very much like a typical day of Scottish weather! you can find out more about the Woodblock collection here: tinyurl.com/37khyjss
Being read in the library this week are the papers of the Naturalist and Ornithologist Sir William Jardine. From one of his scrapbooks are these detailed drawings of a Common Ringed Plover and a Little Tern. You can find out more about the collection here tinyurl.com/7zt3phtx
ALT scrapbook page with two colourful illustrations of two birds. the top illustration is a common ringed plover and is black and white with orange beak. the bottom illustration is a little tern which is a mainly white bird with black 'cap' and a bright orange beak
It was #OnThisDay in 1859 that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born. His well known story, The Lost World, is the basis of our resident book sculpture Dinosaur. You can visit the terrifying prehistoric creature (and the librarians) in our library Tuesday to Friday 10am until 4pm🦖
ALT paper sculpture of a dinosaur made from pages and cover of a book
ALT Outer cover of the book sculpture featuring dark cloth covers from a copy of The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and a note that reads For @NtlMuseumsScot - a gift your friends at @edbookfest suggested you might like this...In support of libraries, books, words, ideas and those places that house our treasures
It's always a joy to browse through Kunstformen der Natur by Ernst Haeckel. From 1904, this book features not only a rather beautiful cover, but 100 stylised scientific illustrations inside #TuesdayTreat#LibraryTwitter
ALT Photo of Kunstformen der Natur green cloth cover, It features gold and black illustrations of jelly Fish
ALT Black and white illustration of marine animals
ALT colourful red pink and green plate showing a jellyfish known as the DISCOMEDUSAE
Found inside the Journal of Design and Manufacturers, from 1850, are these gorgeous purple hued fabric samples. Hidden inside this book, they have remained vibrant even though they over 170 years old #FabricFriday
While reshelving this 1838 edition of 'Essay on the Geology of the Lothians' by RJH Cunningham, we found this charming little watercolour of the Bass Rock surrounded with gannets. #foundfriday#librarytwitter
ALT small water colour of the Bass rock. the air is thick with flying gannets and a boat is seen sailing on the water in front of the Rock. the quote under it reads ' The Bass Rock from County Bay - opposite the Bass Rock. It is entirely composed of clinkstone
Today is #NationalTelephoneDay which is held to celebrate the invention of the telephone. From the collection is a trade catalogue for Sterling Telephone & Electric Co. showing the latest technology in mobile phones
ALT open book showing illustrations of soldier demonstrating a portable field telephone
A cutting from the Scottish Life Archive warning to stay away from strange horse like creatures, sometimes known as the Shoopiltee, or Water Nuggle, who appears as a cute wee Shelty Pony but will run you into the water to your demise! #Archive30#SomethingScary
The theme for #Archive30 today is #ArchiveTravel .From the archive of scientist and explorer,William Speirs Bruce, is this painting thought to illustrate the Scotia Expedition by W.G. Burn Murdoch. Find out what else is in this collection by visiting tinyurl.com/2m3wuvvu
Today’s theme for the @ARAScot#Archive30 is #ArchiveFashion and from the Jenners archive collection is this catalogue for ‘historical’ fancy dress. The Chieftainess outfit is a whole vibe and perfect for the summer festival season
ALT Cover of brochure showing historical fancy dress. This page shows Celtic period clothing and had people in capes. The women wearing long skirts and the men wearing beards
It’s #NationalLaundryDay and from ‘journey into Edenborough’ is some top tips on how to get the washing done using some cow dung and dancing ,Edinburgh Style
ALT Transcription of cutting pasted on paper : Washing in 1705
They put their cloaths with a litle cows dung into a large tubb of water, and then plucking their pettycoats up to their bellyes, get into the Tubb, and dance about it to tread the cloaths, instead of washing them with their hands, and this the women doe in the open streets, without any manner of shame or modesty.
From J Taylor, Journey into Edenborough