books

An 1870 oil painting of Romeo and Juliet by Ford Madox Brown depicting the play's balcony scene.

In the painting, Juliet leans over a stone balcony, dressed in a flowing, golden-yellow gown, her expression a mix of longing and affection.

Romeo, clad in a deep red tunic, clings to the balcony’s edge, gazing up at her with passionate devotion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_at_the_Territorial_Enterprise

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172d

#OTD in 1863.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, in signing a humorous letter to the Territorial Enterprise newspaper in Virginia City, Nevada, first uses the pen name Mark Twain.

Twain first used his pen name, when he wrote a humorous travel account titled "Letter From Carson – re: Joe Goodman; party at Gov. Johnson's; music" and signed it "Mark Twain".

Books by Mark Twain at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/53

Mark Twain with no mustache in 1863.

The 1863 photo of Mark Twain, taken when he was around 27 years old, is notable because it shows him without his iconic mustache—quite a contrast to the familiar image of the famous author in his later years.

In this portrait, Twain (then still known as Samuel Clemens) appears youthful, with wavy, slightly unkempt hair and a clean-shaven face.

His attire is typical of the time, likely a dark suit with a high-collared white shirt and cravat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh_Hunt

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172d

#OTD in 1813.

Leigh Hunt is imprisoned for a libel of the Prince Regent in The Examiner (1812). He continues his literary work in prison and will be visited there by Lord Byron, Thomas Moore, Charles and Mary Lamb, Charles Cowden Clarke, Maria Edgeworth, William Hazlitt, Jeremy Bentham, Lord Brougham and Benjamin Haydon.

Books by Leigh Hunt at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/3612

James Henry Leigh Hunt, by Benjamin Robert Haydon (died 1846).

Hunt is depicted as a young man with dark, wavy hair, intense eyes, and a strong gaze that conveys intellectual depth and determination. His facial features are sharply defined, with high cheekbones and a prominent nose, emphasizing his expressive and thoughtful demeanor.

He wears a rich, deep red garment with intricate patterns, and his white collar is open and slightly upturned, adding a sense of romanticism and individuality. The background is dark and muted, focusing attention on Hunt’s face and expression.

https://www.thecollector.com/most-influential-english-ghost-stories/

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172d

What Are the 5 Most Influential English Ghost Stories?

Ghost stories are an ancient tradition, often carrying moral or religious messages. Over time, writers realized the power of crafting uniquely unsettling tales, and this list examines 5 of the most influential.

By Lauren Jones

All these ghost stories are available at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/768
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1289
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14522
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8486
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/209

https://www.thecollector.com/what-is-the-diamond-sutra/

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172d

What Is the Diamond Sutra? The Oldest Printed Book in the World

We explore the fascinating story behind the Diamond Sutra, thought to be the oldest printed book in the world.

By Maysara Kamal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Sutra

#books #manuscripts

Front line of the Chinese Diamond Sūtra, printed in the 9th year of the Xiantong era of the Tang dynasty, i.e. 868 CE, the oldest known dated printed book in the world. British Library

The colophon, at the inner end, reads: Reverently [caused to be] made for universal free distribution by Wang Jie on behalf of his two parents on the 13th of the 4th moon of the 9th year of Xiantong [i.e. 11th May, CE 868 ].

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Butterfly%27s_Evil_Spell

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125d

#OTD in 1920.

Federico García Lorca's first play, The Butterfly's Evil Spell (El maleficio de la mariposa) is poorly received at its première in Madrid.

With only four performances, very poorly received by the public, including booing, it was a total failure for its author. The text, written in verse, is a parable about frustration, love and death; recurring themes in Lorca's work.

Garcia Lorca at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/56772

Federico García Lorca. Huerta de San Vicente, Granada

Anónimo - https://www.museoreinasofia.es/coleccion/obra/federico-garcia-lorca-huerta-san-vicente-granada

He is shown smiling warmly, creating an inviting and expressive presence. His hair is neatly combed back, and he is wearing a dark shirt or jacket with an open collar.

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125d

#OTD in 1916.

J. R. R. Tolkien and Edith Bratt marry at St Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church, Warwick, England. They will serve as inspiration for the fictional characters Beren and Lúthien. Tolkien leaves for military service in France at the beginning of June.

J.R.R. Tolkien at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/42379

This photo of J.R.R Tolkien was taken sometime during his time in the British Army (1915-1920).

Tolkien is dressed in formal military uniform, a representation of his role as a young officer during World War I, where he served as a second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers.

https://www.adamsdesk.com/posts/little-bits-issue-21/

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157d

Little Bits: Issue #21 for January 2025

Race on over to read the latest instalment of Little Bits issue #21 for January 2025 to explore the largest collection of discovered bits to date.

#blog #OpenSource #FreeSoftware #books #gaming #tech

Over top view of a wall of white binary text with a blue background that has an explosion in the middle coming towards the viewer sits large bold text that reads, 'Little Bits issue #21'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN_1987A

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152d

#OTD in 1987.

SN 1987A, the first supernova that modern astronomers were able to study in great detail, was observed from Earth occurring in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

It occurred approximately 51.4 kiloparsecs (168,000 light-years) from Earth and was the closest observed supernova since Kepler's Supernova in 1604. Kepler described it in De Stella Nova.

Kepler at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=Johannes+Kepler&submit_search=Search

#books #astronomy

Johannes Kepler's original drawing from De Stella Nova (1606) depicting the location of the stella nova, marked with an N (8 grid squares down, 4 over from the left)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler%27s_Supernova#/media/File:Kepler_Drawing_of_SN_1604.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%27Accuse...!

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152d

#OTD in 1898.

Émile Zola is imprisoned in France after writing J'Accuse…!, a letter accusing the French government of antisemitism and wrongfully imprisoning Captain Alfred Dreyfus.

He was sentenced to jail and was removed from the Legion of Honour. To avoid jail time, Zola fled to England. He stayed there until the cabinet fell; he continued to defend Dreyfus.

J'Accuse at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20974

Emile Zola photographié par Nadar en 1898.

The image is in black and white and shows Zola with a beard and round glasses, wearing a formal suit with tie.

His expression is serious and his gaze determined. His hands are crossed in a distinctive manner, highlighting a ring and bracelet visible on his fingers.

Front page cover of the newspaper L’Aurore of Thursday 13 January 1898, with J’accuse...!, the open letter written by Émile Zola to president Félix Faure about the Dreyfus affair. The headline reads "I accuse...! Letter to the President of the Republic".

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203d

wants to read Estação Perdido
#Livros #Books #SciFi #NewWeird #ChinaMieville

#NeoDB

Edited 203d ago

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171d

#OTD in 1927.

Gertrude Stein is honored by the Académie des femmes, an informal gathering for woman writers, founded by the expatriate American Natalie Clifford Barney starts at her Paris salon. Others honored include Colette, Anna Wickham, Rachilde, Lucie Delarue-Mardrus, Mina Loy, Djuna Barnes, & posthumously, Renée Vivien. Clifford Barney worked to promote writing by women as a response to the all-male French Academy.

Clifford Barney at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/45595

American writer Natalie Clifford Barney lived most her life as an expatriate in Paris. At her home there, she hosted a weekly salon, sometimes including performances.

This photo depicts Barney along with Eva Palmer and Liane de Pougy, both current or former lovers of Barney's, and other women dressed in ancient Greek attire.

At least one source (Dorf, below) attests that the image depicts a performance of Barney's play Équivoque, a retelling of Sappho's legend first performed in 1906.

Dorf, Samuel N. (2019). Performing Antiquity: Ancient Greek Music and Dance from Paris to Delphi, 1890-1930. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190612092. pp. 58–60.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_John_Regan_(play)

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171d

#OTD in 1914.

A staging of George A. Birmingham's comedy General John Regan at Westport Town Hall in Ireland provokes a riot, as the crowd objected to the depiction of what they felt was a mocking representation of their town (where the writer served as an Anglican clergyman).

General John Regan at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24073

Photo of George A. Birmingham.

He is dressed in formal attire, including a dark suit and a white clerical collar, suggesting that he may be a member of the clergy.

He has short, neatly combed hair, wears round glasses, and has a thoughtful expression while resting his head against his hand.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Playboy_of_the_Western_World

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171d

#OTD in 1907.

The poet W. B. Yeats, at a public debate at the Abbey Theatre, denies trying to suppress audience distaste during a performance of The Playboy of the Western World.

The Playboy of the Western World is a three-act play written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge, first performed at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, on 26 January 1907.

The Playboy of the Western World at PG:
https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1240

Irish actors Sara Allgood ("Widow Quin") and J. M. Kerrigan ("Shawn Keogh"), in The Playboy of the Western World, Plymouth Theatre, Boston, 1911.

Sara Allgood, portraying the character Widow Quin, is wearing a long dark dress with a patterned shawl draped over her shoulders. She has a confident and slightly amused expression as she looks at J. M. Kerrigan.

Kerrigan, playing Shawn Keogh, is dressed in a more casual outfit, including a hat, an open-collared shirt, a jacket, and trousers. He appears to be in an animated conversation, gesturing with his right hand while leaning toward Allgood.

The actors’ body language and facial expressions suggest a lively interaction, characteristic of the play’s dramatic and comedic elements.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Iris

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171d

#OTD in 1826.

In the Mexican Republic, lithographer Claudio Linati inaugurates El Iris, a "pocket sized" bi-weekly. It is in print until August 2, when its popularization of liberal ideas prompts the intervention of state censors.

It was founded as an illustrated literary review, with topics of interest to women. It included articles on poetry, theater and fashion, as well as portraits and biographies of heroes of the recent war of independence.

Cover of the Mexican journal El Iris from 3 May 1826.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Sinaiticus

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171d

#OTD in 1859.

German scholar Constantin von Tischendorf identifies portions of the mid-4th century Codex Sinaiticus (an uncial manuscript of the Greek Bible) at Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai in the Khedivate of Egypt and arranges for its presentation to his patron, Tsar Alexander II of Russia at Saint Petersburg.

Tischendorf.IV.Monumenta Sacra Inedita. 1857-1870 at TIA:
https://archive.org/details/Tischendorf.iv.monumentaSacraInedita.newcollection.subscript.6vols.1857-1870/01.MonumentaSacraInedita.NCVA.FragEvangLucLibGen.v1.Tischendorf.Subsc.1857./mode/1up

#books #oldmanuscript

New Testament manuscript.

Book of Esther.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Carroll

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146d

#OTD in 1856.

Lewis Carroll chooses his pseudonym; on May 1 he takes up photography as a hobby. A romantic poem called "Solitude" appeared in The Train under the authorship of "Lewis Carroll". This pseudonym was a play on his real name: Lewis was the anglicised form of Ludovicus, which was the Latin for Lutwidge, and Carroll an Irish surname similar to the Latin name Carolus, from which comes the name Charles.

At PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/7

Lewis Carroll self-portrait c. 1856, aged 24 at that time.

In the image, Carroll (whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) appears as a young man with wavy, slightly unkempt hair.

His expression is serious and contemplative, with deep-set eyes and a focused gaze, reading a book.

He is dressed in formal Victorian attire, including a dark jacket, waistcoat, and a high-collared shirt.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thrill_Book

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146d

From March 1 to October 15, 1919.

Publication runs of the American pulp magazine The Thrill Book are oriented towards the fantasy genre or science fiction. It includes the serialization of The Heads of Cerberus, written by Gertrude Barrows Bennett as Francis Stevens, with its early thematic use of an alternate time-track, or parallel worlds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heads_of_Cerberus

The Thrill Books is available at LibriVoX:
https://librivox.org/group/676?primary_key=676&search_category=group&search_page=1&search_form=get_results&search_order=alpha

#books #pulpfiction

The cover of the first issue, dated March 1, 1919. The artwork, by Sidney H. Riesenberg, is "shabby and second-rate", according to Richard Bleiler.

The illustration portrays a dramatic scene with a man in a suit and bowtie, appearing startled as he gestures toward a glowing globe or orb on a small table.

Behind him, a dark figure, possibly a creature or a cloaked person, looms menacingly.

The background consists of shadowy forms and a mysterious atmosphere, aligning with the magazine's focus on thrilling and supernatural fiction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterly_Review

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146d

#OTD in 1809.

The literary and political periodical The Quarterly Review is first published by John Murray in London. It ceased publication in 1967. It was referred to as The London Quarterly Review, as reprinted by Leonard Scott, for an American edition.

At PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39597
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40223

#books #literary_magazine

The image is the cover of The Quarterly Review, No. XXXII, published in April 1817. The cover has a simple and minimalistic design, characteristic of early 19th-century publications. It consists of plain typography printed in black ink on a beige or light brown paper background, giving it an aged and worn appearance.

The title, The Quarterly Review, is prominently displayed at the top in a classic serif font. Below it, the issue number is indicated in Roman numerals as "No. XXXII," followed by the publication date, "April, 1817."

Further down, the publisher's details are provided, stating that it was printed by C. Roworth and published by John Murray, a well-known London-based publisher. Additional distribution information, including booksellers and locations, is also mentioned.

The cover is devoid of any illustrations or decorative elements, focusing solely on textual content, which reflects the formal and intellectual nature of the periodical.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Watchman_(periodical)

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146d

#OTD in 1796.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge launches his periodical The Watchman; it lasts for only ten issues. In April his first verse collection, Poems on Various Subjects, is published in London. The publication contained essays, poems, news stories, reports on Parliamentary debates, and book reviews.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poems_on_Various_Subjects

The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29090

#books #literature #poetry

Title-page of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poems on Various Subjects (1796).

The title page of Poems on Various Subjects (1796) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge follows the typical late 18th-century book design, with a simple yet elegant typographic layout. The title is prominently displayed at the top in a classic serif font, followed by the author’s name, “Samuel Taylor Coleridge,” centered on the page.

Below the author’s name, there is likely a short quotation or an epigraph, a common feature in literary works of that period. The publisher’s information appears at the bottom, detailing the book’s publication in London by G.G. and J. Robinson, with additional printing details.