Special Collections has recently acquired an intriguing copy of Rider’s British Merlin, an almanac published in London in 1768 — 250 years ago this year!
Rider’s almanac first appeared in 1656, “compiled for the benefit of his country” by one “Schardanus Rider,” believed to be an anagram of the name of physician and astrologer Richard Saunders (1613-1675). The almanac continued to be published for many years after his death.
A number of special features make our copy uniquely interesting, such as its elaborate red morocco binding. Perhaps most fascinating is the metal lock, which is actually even more complex than it might appear at first glance. In spite of the provided key, it seems that the only way to truly open the lock is through a secret mechanism — by gently sliding one of the rivets connecting the lock to the cover, the inner latch shifts, and the flap can be opened.
A convenient slot is incorporated into the flap to store a metal stylus, which is (happily) still present. This was used for taking notes on a pair of waxed sheets bound in at the front of the volume, which effectively acted as erasable writing tablets. In much the same way that the ancient Romans used wax-filled wooden frames for temporary note-taking, the pages in this almanac could be incised with the stylus and then erased at the appropriate time. An owner of this volume — perhaps Ann Cackett (?), who wrote her name on one of the flyleaves — has used the stylus many times, leaving incisions behind in the form of repeated circles and other rudimentary markings.
Inside each cover is a little fold-out pocket for the storage of important documents, though sadly they arrived at our library empty. These pockets are partially formed by the end-papers, which are made from beautiful multicolored Dutch gilt paper (actually originating in Germany). Our papers bear a portion of the name of their maker: “Johan Wilhelm.”
It’s easy to concentrate on this almanac’s bells and whistles, but it is also rewarding to look at its contents. It opens with a handsome calendar, printed in red and black, that incorporates religious, astronomical, meteorological, and agricultural observations. Other sections include a list of the year’s moveable feasts (holy days that occur on different days each year), a calendar of eclipses, a zodiac man (a diagram of the relationships of the planets to various parts of the human body), a table of the monarchs and the dates of their reigns, a description of the country’s major roads with the distances between towns, and an extensive list of the fairs regularly held in England and Wales.
Several pages are filled with the reckoning of the years since major events – 4061 since Noah’s Flood, 315 since “printing first used in England” (this is about 20 years earlier than the date generally accepted today), 188 since “a blazing star in May” was observed, and five since “a general peace.” Finally, there is a tipped-in sheet documenting “An account of the holydays” for 1768. (This is unrecorded in the English short title catalogue.)
We are excited to add this unique almanac to our collection, and look forward to welcoming you into our reading room to see it in person!
There is ONE DAY LEFT to reserve yourself a copy of the limited-edition Wondermark 2017 desk calendar, this year titled “ABSURD SPORTS LEAGUE ALL-STARS”!
i present you with a calendar for the month of january. you can either print it out or use it digitally. there are three file types: pdf, jpg, and png.
while this printable is free, please consider donating via https://ko-fi.com/studenting to help support me on my educational journey! by doing so, you will receive immediate access to the calendars for every month of 2021 (to plan ahead ).
if you’re using the calendar, i’d love to see it! tag your photos with #studentingon tumblr or @studenting on instagram.
i present you with a calendar for the month of january. you can either print it out or use it digitally. there are three file types: pdf, jpg, and png.
while this printable is free, please consider donating via https://ko-fi.com/studenting to help support me on my educational journey! by doing so, you will receive immediate access to the calendars for every month of 2021 (to plan ahead ).
if you’re using the calendar, i’d love to see it! tag your photos with #studentingon tumblr or @studenting on instagram.
Since you’ve asked. My 2022 desktop calendar refills will be arriving soon. Reserve yours now and enjoy free shipping as my New Year’s thank you gift. First come, first serve. Twelve 5x7 cards, ready for your own frame or bulletin board. This years theme is “Shifting Sands” with images shot at Second Beach in Middletown. The clean, minimalist design makes these calendars an easy to read quick reference tool for home or office. $29.00 payable by Venmo (David Fuller @thefullerview) or PayPal on my website www.davidgfuller.com (link in profile). Pre-order yours today. While supplies last. #stationery #calendars #2022 #freeshipping #davidfullerphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CYG5hRIOIFY/?utm_medium=tumblr
Page Seven’s 2017 Calendars are out !! I am particularly excited to announce that 50% of all proceeds will be donated to Oak Tree Project - a college scholarship and mentoring program for orphans here in Korea (oaktreeproject.com).
It’s a rainy Monday afternoon and the bébé is sound asleep, which means i get to swell these rare moments of stillness. // page 7 calendars went into printing today and we are ecstatic about them ! Not merely about the calendars in and of themselves, but more so because we are partnering with “Oak Tree Project” - a scholarship fund and mentoring program for Korean orphans who get into college here in Korea. Above (Isaiah 61:3) is their theme verse. God calls us to love the orphans and in the little way that we can, Page Seven is seeking to do so. Pre-orders will be taken soon. More details to come!!
April 1: Loki Day. Loki’s Day is celebrated on April 1st by American Asatru groups and individuals influenced by the old Ostara festival held by the old Ring of Troth, which was a multi day campout that included April 1st when that date fell on a weekend. Loki Day was a day for pranks and jokes in honor of Loki, and toward the end of the RoT women who were awake in the early morning threw their hair-combings into the fire for Loki. When the Ring of Troth broke into two groups, the American Vinland Association kept the Loki celebrations intact, while over the years the Ring of Troth abandoned them due to the influence of new members who were Nokeans (see my post on Nokeans for a definition and discussion.) The Troth recently re-embraced Loki, so the old custom may or may not come back. Also on April 1st: Narrentag (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and the season of the possible date of Alp Aufzug begins (Switzerland.)
It’s here! for daze to come is a 2022 Kagepro Fanmade Calendar that features 13 artworks, all known character birthdays, and song anniversaries! You can preorder it at our store link below from October 1st - October 31st!
In America, today is Pi Day. It is pie day because the date – the 14th of March – is styled March 14 or 3/14, which is the first three digits of pi.
As there are only 12 months, and not 14, our poor cousins in the UK who insist on putting the date before the month (14 March) must sob uncontrollably at not being enjoy the bounty of pie.
Advantage:America, obviously.
Bonus advantage:America further, because of this:
A major problem with working with a bunch of Brits: when they promise you pie for Pi Day, they mean meat pies.
Calling all stylin’ cats! United Bamboo is casting for their 2013 calendar. Your little friend could be one of the lucky 12 to be photographed in NYC on June 9th.
Just post your cat’s pic on facebookortwitter (#catclub) to enter your cat in the casting.
This printable and all previous calendars for 2017 are available on my Dropbox.
2017 monthly calendars will be released on the last Sunday of the preceding month. I will be releasing both the June and July calendars on 5.28.17 in case anyone wants to plan their summer vacation! Mark your calendars!
This printable and all previous calendars for 2017 are available on my Dropbox.
2017 monthly calendars will be released on the last Sunday of the preceding month. The May calendar release is planned for 4.30.17! So mark your calendars!
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