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I loved the Library at Innerpeffray, near Crieff, the first lending library in Scotland. This dramatic three minute video illustrates just how remarkable an achievement the library was..   I am having the map of Africa in this amazing atlas, published in 1238 repaired in memory of Barry, in the belief that as a great lover of old books he will then forgive me for parting with the hundreds (if not thousands) of volumes he had stashed in every corner of the house :-)
17 Comments
May I just give a plug for Webuybooks? I have been using them to clear shelves of books here when I feel that they are not appropriate in various ways for the charity shop and have been pleasantly surprised by the sums offered. I find the site easy to use and they pay for postage or drop off, even arranging to collect them free. (I'm not sure if this is a nationwide service). As long as the book has an ISBN you can quickly find what they are offering for it and accept or refuse their offer.
Freda
30/9/2016 12:53:25 pm
Thank you for this Lucille (I fear the local charity shops will soon tell me 'No more!)
Julia
30/9/2016 02:49:57 am
Freda, this is simply astounding. I must be living under a rock, but i did not even contemplate that maps like this were produced that early on....of course, it makes sense...but still remarkable to have my eyes opened! And what a brilliant idea you have had to remember Barry in such a special way.
Freda
30/9/2016 01:01:56 pm
Isn't it astonishing? If you look up Mercator in Wikipedia you will be even more amazed. As I was thinking how much Barry would like this library I saw their leaflet called 'Befriend A Book'....
Lotta
30/9/2016 04:03:16 am
What a lovely idea Freda (and an amazing map!) - I feel sure you are forgiven. :-)
Freda
30/9/2016 01:02:28 pm
Me too Lotta.
Cristiana
30/9/2016 05:47:41 am
Wow. Books are my soft spot in all that is simplifying related. Enjoyed the video so much and such a precious map. What a lovely way to honour Barry. Yesterday I was listening to an interview on the radio, the writer, also a teacher, was telling how he advised his students to steal books if they had no other way of getting them because a stolen read book would always be happier than one non-stolen but not read one. Would you say Barry would also think so?
Freda
30/9/2016 01:05:06 pm
I suspect he would Cristiana. He worked as a volunteer in York Minster Library and loved the books as precious objects to be treasured, as well as read.
cath
30/9/2016 08:40:13 am
Can't help thinking that must be quite an energy consuming task you are doing just now as most likely many emotions and memories will be connected to all those precious books, not to speak of getting used to a changing house. Admiring you and the beautiful map.
Freda
30/9/2016 01:07:32 pm
Like so much just now, an emotional roller-coaster Cath. You may remember Barry was born in Africa so I was thrilled that I could choose which book to help conserve. 30/9/2016 11:38:31 am
Such detail for a map of that age, even the relatively inaccessible parts of Africa. Incredible.
Freda
30/9/2016 01:08:50 pm
Even the interior is very detailed. I could look at old maps for hours.
Mary
30/9/2016 01:59:31 pm
Wonderful tribute to Barry. As a lover of maps, I think it is wonderful. I have a very large National Geographic atlas that I used to teach my children about the World. We spent so much time pouring over the book during their growing years that we actually broke the binding and wore off not only the paper cover but the edges, too. A well-loved book, indeed. I think they were one of the few US children who could actually locate various continents and countries. Of course, the book is a bit dated...especially when it comes to Africa-- Belgian Congo...Rhodesia....Angola...
Freda
30/9/2016 02:23:48 pm
There is nothing like a well loved book! And National Geographic were and still are marvellous....thank you for your comment Mary.
Penny L
1/10/2016 01:41:47 pm
A brilliant thing to do. What an amazing map, my mind boggles at its age and detail!
Freda
2/10/2016 04:37:39 am
This library was full of mind boggling things Penny. If you are ever up that way.... That is a wonderful way to remember Barry, he would have loved that idea. Did he have some connection to Africa too? That is a fantastic video too. They are currently restoring the Literary and scientific institute with heritage lottery funding. It was used as a reading and lending library for most of it's history. I can't imagine a world without libraries. Sarah x Leave a Reply. |
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