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The Collation

The Collation

Research and Exploration at the Folger

The Collation is a gathering of useful information and observations from Folger staff and researchers. Read more about this blog

Slurrop! An ode to soup
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Slurrop! An ode to soup

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Author
Elizabeth DeBold

In 1595, English writer William Fiston (or Phiston) produced a translation of a French book of manners for children. Topics included proper behavior that was important for Church and school, but also a section on table manners. Here, Fiston admonishes…

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: February 2022
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: February 2022

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Author
The Collation

For this month’s crocodile mystery, please examine these words from different manuscript recipe books from our collections, and tell us what they have in common. We’ll be back next week with the answer.      

Q & A: Ashley Buchanan, Associate Director for Fellowships, Folger Institute
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Q & A: Ashley Buchanan, Associate Director for Fellowships, Folger Institute

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Author
The Collation

The Folger Institute is pleased to introduce Dr. Ashley Buchanan, our new Associate Director for Fellowships. Dr. Buchanan received her Ph.D. in early modern history in 2018 from the University of South Florida and comes to the Folger with experience…

George Goodwin, neo-Latin poet, identified as George Goodwin, rector of Moreton, Essex
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George Goodwin, neo-Latin poet, identified as George Goodwin, rector of Moreton, Essex

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Author
Erin Blake

Today’s Collation post is short and sweet, and courtesy of Heather Wolfe, the Folger’s Curator of Manuscripts. Heather is currently on sabbatical in the UK, having been awarded the 2021–22 Munby Fellowship at Cambridge University Library, but she still occasionally…

Trappings of the stage
January 2022 croc mystery image
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Trappings of the stage

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Author
Rachel B. Dankert

Thanks to those who registered your guesses on our most recent Crocodile Mystery. All of the guesses gazed upward, when the answer actually lay underfoot. While these strange designs resemble theatrical lighting effects, they are, in fact, designs for stage…

"What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: January 2022
January 2022 croc mystery image
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"What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: January 2022

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Author
The Collation

This image sets the stage for this month’s theatrical Crocodile Mystery. What type of stage mechanics is represented in these designs? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and come back next year for the big reveal!

Postcards in the (home) archive: 1939
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Postcards in the (home) archive: 1939

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Author
Stephen H. Grant

a guest post by Stephen Grant Fig. 1. Folger Shakespeare Library from Northwest 1939 Author’s Collection, photo by Stephen Grant Printed on picture side: THE FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 39686 Printed on address side: Published by B. S.…

Recipe Books, Plague Cures and the Circulation of Information
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Recipe Books, Plague Cures and the Circulation of Information

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Yann Ryan

a guest post by Yann Ryan As well as its terrible consequences for health and mortality, plague in early modern England had a major impact on the communication and circulation of information. Movement was restricted, towns with suspected cases were…

The book thief
page of Elizabeth Parris's deposition
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The book thief

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Author
Heather Wolfe

Response of James Tabor, public notary, July 10, 1604, in Henry Cotton vs. William Windle. Cambridge University Archives, Comm.Ct.II.11, fol. 57v. Today’s post is about a woman, Margaret Cotton, who allegedly stole a book in 1602. The book might have…

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: December 2021
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: December 2021

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Author
The Collation

For our final Crocodile Mystery of the year, here’s a paleographical challenge. What’s going on here, and why might the Crocodile find it interesting? (Disclaimer: This is not a Folger manuscript). Leave your thoughts, guesses, and attempts at transcriptions in…

A Glimpse into the Cultural History of Fragaria
hand drawn color image of a strawberry plant with berries and a flower
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A Glimpse into the Cultural History of Fragaria

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Author
Jennie Youssef

a guest post by Jennie Youssef When the term of my Folger fellowship began, I had made some headway in my research for a dissertation chapter on the foodway of strawberries. The strawberry’s symbolic significance in medieval art and early…

The mystery of Humphrey Walcot’s grocery bill and early-modern popular numeracy
detail of 17th century handwrittne document showing roman and arabic numerals
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The mystery of Humphrey Walcot’s grocery bill and early-modern popular numeracy

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Author
Ray Schrire

a guest post by Ray Schrire It is time for an unofficial Crocodile Mystery. Humphrey Walcot’s grocery bill. Folger, L.f.196 These are a few of my favorite items from the merchant Humphrey Walcot’s shopping list of May 8, 1601 (a…

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