#RareBookPick

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December Rare Book Pick

This month's Rare Book Pick is from the journal 'Philosophical Transactions' (1751-1766), published by the Royal Society of London. This page shows snowflake configurations as described in 1755 by John Nettis a physician from the Netherlands. Nettis used early forms of microscope lenses to make his observations. Find out how you can sponsor this or any of our other rare books here.

Image available via the Science Library

#rare books #bookshelf #books #libraries #library #law library #christmas #rarebook #mtlibrary #snowflake #science #natural science #history #RareBookPick

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November Rare Book Pick

2022 marks not only the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb but also the 200-year anniversary of when the code of the Rosetta Stone was finally cracked! To celebrate, this month's Rare Book Pick features an illustration of the Great Sphinx and the pyramids of the Giza Necropolis, from "An universal history, from the earliest account of time to the present" (1736-44). This 7-volume set was originally issued in monthly parts and includes maps, cuts, notes and chronological and other tables.

Find out how you can sponsor this or any of our other rare books here.

#egyptology #rare books #giza plateau #pyramids of giza #cairo #law library #library #tutankhamun #bookshelf #books and reading #RareBookPick #rosetta stone #giza egypt #great sphinx #MTLibrary

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April Rare Book Pick: Proceedings before The Rt. Hon. Lord Mersey, on a formal investigation by the board of trade into the loss of the S.S. "TITANIC"

As this Saturday (15 April) marks the 111th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we have decided to feature Proceedings before The Rt. Hon. Lord Mersey, on a formal investigation by the board of trade into the loss of the S.S. "TITANIC" as this month's Rare Book Pick. It was published in 1912 by the Wreck Commissioner's Court and includes a complete transcript of the investigation.

The text includes a number of witness statements which give a fascinating (and terrifying) insight into the experiences of those who survived. Statistics provided also reveal just how devastating the loss of life was, with only 32.3% of those on board surviving the tragedy. As well as witness statements and statistics, it also includes a full account of the distress signals that were sent from the ship.

While the inquiry found no-one guilty of negligence, the disaster led to major changes in maritime regulations to implement new safety measures, such as ensuring that more lifeboats were provided and that lifeboat drills were properly.

The book originally came to the library from the collection of Middle Temple member, Sir Robert Finlay who the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from 1916-1919. His signature appears on the title page and his book plate inside the book's cover.

If you are interested in hearing more, the majority of the text is available to access for free via the Hathi Trust's website.

#law library #library #mtlibrary #titanic #history #rarebook #rare books #rarebookpick #london #books & libraries #inns of court #libraries

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January Rare Book Pick

January's #RareBookPick features this engraving of a common octopus from 'Sea Monsters Unmasked' by Henry Lee. This first edition includes a number of illustrations and was printed in London in 1883. Click here to read more about our Rare Book Fund.

Image available via the Science Library

#MTlibrary #rare books #sea monster #libraries #law library #library #books & libraries

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February Rare Book Pick

February's #RareBookPick is from 'The Antiquarian repertory : a miscellaneous assemblage of topography, history, biography, customs, and manners' (1807). This 19th-century illustration depicts of the recumbent Knights Templar sculpted figures found in Temple Church, London, UK. The Knights Templar were a powerful and wealthy Christian military order who fought in the Crusades. The official founding year was 1129, with the order disbanded in 1312.

The Temple was the Knights Templars' headquarters in England. The Round Church was consecrated in 1185 and was modelled on the circular Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the most sacred place of the Holy Land and so of the whole world. 

Temple Church has also gained fame in recent years as it was featured in the novel The Da Vinci Code and also the film of the same name. The church has been in the care of Inner and Middle Temple for 400 years. If you would like to visit the church it is currently open 10:00-16:00 for sightseeing. Find out more here.

Find out how you can sponsor this or any of our other rare books here.

Image available via the Science Library

#london #law library #inns of court #knights templar #middle temple library #templechurch #da vinci code #history #rarebook #rare books #london history #london tour #mtlibrary #hidden london #historic building #libraries #library #books & libraries #bookshelf #books