University of Exeter Special Collections

@exeterunispeccoll

Join us in exploring the University of Exeter Library's Special Collections, which include archives, manuscripts, rare books and maps. There's something for everyone, and everyone is welcome. Find out more! ➡️

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University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· 27d

This Sunday is #WorldIceCreamDay 🍦 (We personally think every day in a heatwave should be Ice Cream Day!) Here's (R-L) the writer Ronald Duncan, his wife, Rose Marie, the composer Benjamin Britten, & Duncan's daughter Briony enjoying ice creams in Clovelly, Devon, c 1950s. 📷 EUL MS 397/10/8/11/1

Black and white photograph showing Briony, Rose Marie, and Ronald Duncan eating ice cream cones with Benjamin Britten in a street in Clovelly.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· 28d

These lovely images were recently digitised from glass plate negatives by student interns at @dhlabexeter.bsky.social. They show students receiving their degrees in c 1960s to early 70s. 📷 EUL UA/P: Glass plate negatives, Box 6 #ThrowbackThursday #UniOfExeterArchive #Graduation

Two black and white square images from two different angles showing students shaking the hand of the University of Exeter's Chancellor, Mary Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire. The ceremonial mace is displayed on the stage.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· 28d

Congratulations to all students of University of Exeter who are graduating this week!!! 🎓 This fantastic throwback from the University Archive shows the cricketer Viv Richards receiving his honorary degree 40 years ago in 1986. 📷 EUL UA/P/3c #UniOfExeterArchive #ThrowbackThursday #Graduation

Colour photograph showing Viv Richards receiving his degree and you could also see him bowing and touching his cap

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· 29d

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the horses, for today is their special day! This engraving of a horse is from the book 'The Illustrated Natural History' by J. G. Wood, published in 1863. 📷 Reserve 590.2/WOO #ILoveHorsesDay #CelebrationOfTheHorseDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 14

Good afternoon to everyone, but especially to all the chimpanzees, for today is their special day! For World Chimpanzee Day, here's an engraving from the book 'The Illustrated Natural History' (1863) by J. G. Wood. 📷 Reserve 590.2/WOO #WorldChimpanzeeDay #ChimpanzeeDay #RareBooks

Cropped image from a book, showing an engraving of a chimpanzee seated on a tree trunk. The caption underneath reads: 'The Chimpansee - Troglodytes Niger'.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 14

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the sharks, for today is their special day! To celebrate Shark Awareness Day, here are three illustrations of sharks from the book 'Animated Nature Vol. 2' (1821) by Georges-Louis Leclerc. 📷 Reserve 590 BUF #SharkAwarenessDay #SharkDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 13

This colour plate shows rock formations on the East Devon coast caused by landslips between December 1839 & February 1840. Corn grew on the rocks that had fallen from the fields above, attracting fascinated visitors. 📷 Reserve 554.235 DAW/XX (1840) #InternationalRockDay #Geology #RareBooks #Devon

Colour illustration of rock formations with wheat growing on them, entitled 'View in the Great Chasm of Axmouth Landslip.' Looking Westward. Reaping the Wheat 25th August 1840.' The illustration includes depictions of people in 19th century clothing.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 10

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the capybaras, for today is their special day! For Capybara Day, here's an engraving from the book ' The Illustrated Natural History' (1863) by J. G. Wood. 📷 Reserve 590.2/WOO #CapybaraAppreciationDay #NationalCapybaraDay #CapybaraDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 9

It's another sweltering week in Exeter! ☀️ Here's a throwback from our University Archive of Streatham Campus covered in snow. We hope it helps you feel a little cooler! 📷 EUL UA/P/1b/2 #ThrowbackThursday #UniOfExeterArchive #Archives

Colour photograph of Streatham Campus covered in snow. The photograph was taken from above, perhaps from one of the upper floors of Cornwall House. People are walking on a cleared path below. The view looks out towards the Library, the Amory Building, the Laver Building and the Physics Building.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 8

We were delighted to be joined by Year 10 students Elodie & Alisa last week for a week of work experience! In two new blog posts, they reflect on their experiences working in Special Collections: ➡️ specialcollections.exeter.ac.uk/2026/07/07/i... ➡️ specialcollections.exeter.ac.uk/2026/07/07/t...

Collage of 30 images from Special Collections

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 7

Happy World Chocolate Day! This leopard-print Terry's chocolate box was used by the sisters of Syon Abbey to store letters they received from other religious communities. You can still find the box in their archive today! 📷 EUL MS 389/ECC/3/16 #WorldChocolateDay #SyonAbbey #Nuntastic #Archives

The Terry's chocolate box with the lid opened. The interior side of the lid is gold. Within the box are manuscript letters nestled in tissue paper.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 3

Some beautiful blooms to brighten your Friday! 💐 We hope you have a lovely weekend. 📷 Illustration of horehound, motherwort and hemp nettle from ‘The Flowering Plants of Great Britain' (1855) by Anne Pratt [Baring-Gould Library 0691] #FridayFlowers #FlowerFriday #FlowersOnFriday #RareBooks

An opened book showing full-page colour illustration of horehound, motherwort and hemp nettle, decorated in shades of yellow, pink, purple and green.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 2

The celebrations aren't over - we have a bonus porcupine! This woodcut of a Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine can be found in the book 'Historia naturae, maxime peregrinae' by Juan Eusebio Nieremberg, published in 1635. 📷 Baring-Gould Library 0689 Folio #WorldPorcupineDay #PorcupineDay #RareBooks

Cropped image of an opened book page with four columns of text in Latin. In the centre of the page is a large woodcut illustration of a Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine. The title in Latin above it is 'Hoitzlaquatzin'.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 2

Good afternoon to everyone, but especially to all the porcupines, for today is their special day! To celebrate World Porcupine Day, here is an illustration of a porcupine from the book 'Animated Nature' (1828) by Georges-Louis Leclerc. 📷 Reserve 590 BUF #WorldPorcupineDay #PorcupineDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 2

Has anyone been watching Wimbledon this week? Welcome to this week’s throwback :) This picture from the university archive shows the exterior view of Hope hall with students playing tennis on the lawn during 1922! 📷 EUL UA/P/1b #ThrowbackThursday #UniofExeterArchive #Wimbledon #Tennis

Black and white image depicting students playing tennis in an open lawn. The background consists of a large building, with stairs leading up to it.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jul 1

This photograph from our #UniOfExeterArchive shows England international footballer Evelyn Lintott. It was taken during his teacher training days at St Luke's College, Exeter, in 1907. He died on 01 July 1916 - #OnThisDay 110 years ago - on the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme. 📷 EUL UA/add. 6

Sepia toned photograph of Evelyn Lintott in the grounds of St Luke's College. He is wearing football kit and has one foot on a football.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 29

Today is National Camera Day! The writer Ronald Duncan (Ronnie) & his sister Bianca (Bunny) took these photographs of each other as children in c 1910s. They must have had great fun playing with the camera! 📷 EUL MS 397/10/8/37/1-2 #NationalCameraDay #CameraDay #RonaldDuncan #Archives

Sepia toned, slightly blurred photograph showing a small girl on a farm. She is wearing a hat and a checked dress. Her hands are on her waist.

Note on the reverse side of the photograph: 'Bunny taken by Ronnie'.

Sepia toned, slightly blurred photograph showing a small boy on a farm. He is wearing a jumper and shorts.

Note on the reverse side of the photograph: 'Ronnie taken by Bunny'.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 29

Today is the Feast of St Peter, the saint to whom @exetercathedral.bsky.social is dedicated. These depictions (1618-1854) of the Cathedral Church of St Peter are from historic maps of Exeter in our collections. 📷 Digitised by @dhlabexeter.bsky.social #MapMonday #MondayMaps #MappingOurExeter

Colour illustration bird's-eye-view of the Cathedral from the 1618 map 'Civitas Exoniae (vulgo Excester) urbs primaria in comitatu Devoniae', engraved by Frans Hogenberg. [Reference: Constable Maps 27]

View of the cathedral from a 1792 street plan of Exeter entitled 'Plan of the City & Suburbs of Exeter', engraved by Thomas Yeakell. [Reference: Townsend Maps T16f]

Illustration of the East View of Exeter Cathedral with cattle in the foreground from an 1810 street plan of Exeter entitled 'Exeter', engraved by John Roper. [Reference: Townsend Maps T17]

Colour illustration of Exeter Cathedral with people in 19th century dress walking in the foreground, from a street plan (c 1851-1854) entitled 'Exeter', engraved by John Rapkin. {Reference: Townsend Maps T19f]

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 25

Can you spot a very tiny seafarer in this 16th century map of Gloucestershire from our Saxton Atlas? The #DayOfTheSeafarer highlights the essential role of seafarers, as well as the many risks of a life at sea - though hopefully with fewer sea monsters around these days! 📷 Rare books B 1590/SAX/XX

Detail from a hand-painted, sixteenth-century map. It shows a small section of land on the right, painted yellow, and next to it in the sea is a wooden ship with white sails. Standing at the front of the ship is a tiny person wearing a a red jumper.

A large book opened to two full-pages showing a hand-coloured map of Gloucestershire in England, including the names of towns and villages. A coat of arms is drawn at the top of the page. Sections of the map showing the sea include drawings of sea monsters and ships.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 24

On World UFO Day, we're excited to share this photo from an issue of the student newspaper The Southwesterner! The article reports on sightings by Exeter students and staff of UFOs over the Hoopern Valley in 1978 🛸 📷 Exeter University/South Westerner (04 May 1978) #WorldUFODay #UniOfExeterArchive

Black and white photograph of an unidentified flying object over a valley, with buildings in the background.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 23

There's still time to apply for our new volunteering opportunity! ✨ Volunteering is open to students, staff and members of the public. Find out more and apply at ➡️ libguides.exeter.ac.uk/archives/placements/volunteering #Exeter #Archives #Volunteering @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social

Green box with text that reads: "Volunteering Opportunity The Library's Special Collections are seeking Exhibitions Volunteers Apply by 02 June 2026 https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/archives/placements/volunteering". The text is surrounded by several photographs, including four photographs of exhibitions in display cases, two photographs of people engaging with collections in the Reading Room, and two collages of images from the collections.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 22

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the camels, for today is their special day! To celebrate World Camel Day, here is an illustration of a camel from the book 'Animated Nature' (1828) by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. 📷 Reserve 590 BUF #WorldCamelDay #CamelDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 18

It's #InternationalPicnicDay! 🧺 As another wave of sunny days approaches, take inspiration from writers Ronald Duncan & Jack Clemo, pictured here picnicking with their friends & family in Welcombe & Falmouth! Do you have a favourite picnic spot? 📷 EUL MS 397/10/8/36/1 & EUL MS 68/PERS/3/1/23

Black and white photograph taken on a pebbly beach with large rocks in the background. On the left is Ronald Duncan, who is frowning and seated facing sideways. Next to him are seated three women (his mother, Mole, his sister, Bunny, and his wife, Rose Marie), who are smiling and looking at the camera. A picnic basket can be seen in front of them.

Black and white photograph from a photograph album of Jack Clemo (front left, with an arrow pointing towards him), sitting on the beach at Falmouth, Cornwall, with a picnic basket, seven family members or friends, and a black Pomeranian dog. The caption underneath reads: 'Falmouth, Aug. 20, 1936'.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 17

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the crocodiles, for today is their special day! To celebrate World Crocodile Day, here is an illustration from the book 'Animated Nature Vol. 2' (1821) by Georges-Louis Leclerc. 📷 Reserve 590 BUF #WorldCrocodileDay #CrocodileDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 16

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the sea turtles, for today is their special day! To celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, here is an illustration from the book 'Natural History Abridged' (1828) by Georges-Louis Leclerc. 📷 Reserve 590 BUF #WorldSeaTurtleDay #SeaTurtleDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 12

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the cougars, for today is their special day! To celebrate National Cougar Day, here is an illustration of a cougar from the book 'Animated Nature' (1828) by Georges-Louis Leclerc. 📷 Reserve 590 BUF #NationalCougarDay #CougarDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 11

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the lynxes, for today is their special day! To celebrate International Lynx Day, here is an illustration of a lynx from the book 'Animated Nature' (1828) by Georges-Louis Leclerc. 📷 Reserve 590 BUF #InternationalLynxDay #LynxDay #RareBooks

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 10

Did you know the community of Syon Abbey lived in Lisbon for 267 years? Their archive holds many items from this period, including this account book and a letter describing the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. 📷 EUL MS 389/FIN/1/1 & /PERS/WITHAM #PortugalDay #DiaDePortugal #Nuntastic #SyonAbbey

Title page of an account book from Syon Abbey written in Portuguese, which includes details of incomes and business. At the bottom of the page is written: 'Lisboa em Janeiro 1767'.

Extract from a letter written in brown ink on yellowed paper with several holes. It is dated 'Jan 9th 1756', and begins 'My Dearst Mama'. Caption underneath: 'Letter from Sister Catherine 'Kitty' Witham [Ref: EUL MS 389/PERS/WITHAM]'.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 9

Why are archives important? So many reasons - & lots begin with E! For evidence. For education. For exploration. For enjoyment. For emotions. For everyone. This year we're also celebrating a vital reason beginning with J: For justice. #InternationalArchivesDay #IAD #IAD2026 #ArchivesForJustice

Collage of six images: one showing two people gazing at a 16th century atlas; one showing a medieval manuscript from the Syon Abbey archive; one showing items from the Jack Clemo papers, including a diary, a manuscript draft, two photo albums, and a Valentine's card; one showing a collage of photographs from the University Archive; one showing three Theatre Royal playbills; and one showing a person handling an Ethiopian Sensul. A green circle in the centre of the collage contains the following text in white font: 'Happy International Archives Day from the University of Exeter Special Collections!'.

University of Exeter Special Collections@exeterunispeccoll· Jun 8

On World Oceans Day, these 100+ year old pressed marine algae specimens, with their delicate shapes & vibrant colours, are a powerful reminder of how precious the oceans & their marine life are 🌊 📷 EUL MS 278 (collected in Plymouth by Russel Harris) #WorldOceansDay #WorldOceanDay #Archives #Devon