We are delighted to host the author and Tartarus Press co-founder R.B. Russell and the South Yorkshire press ‘And Other Stories’ for the launch of Fifty Forgotten Books, in which the author takes us on a guided tour through the wonderful, macabre and obscure books that make up his legendary collection – and the sadly vanishing […]
'General' Category Archives
An Eskimo Vocabulary for Arctic Explorers
At first glance an unassuming little book bound in simple black cloth, the unexpected title – “Eskimaux Vocabulary / For the Use of the Arctic Expedition” – boldly printed in gilt to the front cover, quickly catches the eye and the imagination. Published in London in 1850, it was designed as a field guide to […]
Andre Norton’s Early Influence on Science Fiction and Fantasy
Andre Norton (born Alice Mary Norton in Ohio in 1912) was a hugely prolific writer and one of the earliest women to achieve widespread success in the traditionally male dominated genres of science fiction and fantasy. Norton’s earliest books were historical adventures for young adults (which would have been described as ‘juvenile fiction’ at the […]
Millicent Sowerby’s illustrations for “Childhood”
Painter and illustrator Millicent Sowerby was born in 1878 in Gateshead to a wealthy glass-making family. Her father, John G. Sowerby, as well as acting as director of the glass-making factory, also enjoyed recognition as a painter and illustrator. Millicent was one of the first women to illustrate Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and she […]
A Beautiful Annie French Collection
Over the last few days I have had the pleasure of researching and cataloguing a collection of decorated letters, calendars, and bookmarks created by the “Glasgow Girl” and contemporary of Jessie M. King, Annie French, which has been a lovely task while working from home! Annie French (born 1872) is something of an elusive figure and […]
The History of Girls’ Boarding School Stories
“Girls! Girls everywhere! Girls in the passages, girls in the hall, racing upstairs and scurrying downstairs, diving into dormitories and running into classrooms, overflowing on to the landing and hustling along the corridor — everywhere, girls! There were tall and short, and fat and thin, and all degrees from pretty to plain; girls […]
Going dating with Gertrude L. Beebe
At times like these when the world can seem like a dark, confusing place, it becomes important to find a little joy here and there so that we can keep on going. Something that has personally lifted my spirits recently is a little gem of a book that my colleague Sky brought back from the […]
Welcome to Libellus, the Lucius Books Blog
THIS IS WHAT WE’LL DO: TALK ABOUT BOOKS, OBJECTS, AUTHORS, ARTISTS, TRAVELS AND EVENTS. WE ARE LUCKY TO DO WHAT WE DO AND FIND SOME ASTONISHING THINGS ALONG THE WAY. COMMENTS ARE INVITED AND APPRECIATED. HERE GOES…