Shitakiri suzume

This is the Dutch language version of the Shitakiri suzume, one of the so-called chirimen bon (crepe-paper books) that were created for foreigners during the Meiji period. Our copy is a tairashi-bon (prints on plain paper). This was translated by Pieter Gerard van Schermbeek and the Dutch title is De musch met de geknipte tong. This book is the last Dutch language book published in Japan in the 19th century owned by the National Diet Library.

One of the items from the 'Japan-Netherlands Exchange in the Edo Period' online exhibition. Link…

Printers marks

Historical works printed in Basel. Link…

Immigration

Canadian pamphlets and broadsides. Link…

International Small Engraving Salon

A small selection from the Florean Museum. Link…

Classic Typewriters

Some unusual early typewriters. Link…

Share Certificates

Most of these certificates have an interesting story attached to them. Some have interesting artwork too. Intrigued by the first one? Here is the story. Link…

Mid-Victorian wood-engraved Illustration

Literary illustrations from around 1862. Link…

Copper Engravings

A large collection of pre-1800 prints. Link…

André Gill

In 1880 André Gill was committed to the Charenton mental asylum. He managed to recover in a few months and in 1882 submitted his first serious painting, "Le Fou" (The Madman) to the Salon. The painting's poor reception by the artists of the Salon sent him back to Charenton. André Gill never recovered his sanity, and after a few months Charenton seized his property and drawings, auctioning them off to pay their bills. André Gill died on May 1, 1885. Link…