TakeNote: An Exploration of Notetaking in Harvard University Collections
October 11, 2012 4:59 PM Subscribe
TakeNote: An Exploration of Notetaking in Harvard University Collections [via mefi projects, nasreddin is Curator and Coordinator]
TakeNote is a virtual exhibition of historical notes--and note-like things--found in the collections of 13 Harvard University libraries, curated by leading scholars in the history of the book, and sponsored by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The exhibition itself--available in a grid or sortable view--features downloadable high-resolution images, commenting, and tagging. There is also a selection of interpretive itineraries through the exhibit, written by experts in the field (excepting myself), and a bibliography of links and sources related to notetaking. The project is linked to the Take Note Conference, due to take place at Radcliffe (in Cambridge, Mass.) on Nov. 1st and 2nd.
Some of the exhibit's gems:
• A collection of recordings of Greek Orthodox liturgical singing done by Laura Bolton on Mount Patmos in 1960, with mp3s available.
• An illustrated and annotated Japanese falconry manual from the 16th century.
• The delightful diary and doodles of nineteenth-century zoologist A. E. Verrill.
• Discussion in marginalia by readers of 1950s pop-existentialism.
• Text and musical notes from a medieval choirbook.
• Field notes from Baluchistan, Iran, in the 1950s.
And, of course, much, much more!
TakeNote is a virtual exhibition of historical notes--and note-like things--found in the collections of 13 Harvard University libraries, curated by leading scholars in the history of the book, and sponsored by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The exhibition itself--available in a grid or sortable view--features downloadable high-resolution images, commenting, and tagging. There is also a selection of interpretive itineraries through the exhibit, written by experts in the field (excepting myself), and a bibliography of links and sources related to notetaking. The project is linked to the Take Note Conference, due to take place at Radcliffe (in Cambridge, Mass.) on Nov. 1st and 2nd.
Some of the exhibit's gems:
• A collection of recordings of Greek Orthodox liturgical singing done by Laura Bolton on Mount Patmos in 1960, with mp3s available.
• An illustrated and annotated Japanese falconry manual from the 16th century.
• The delightful diary and doodles of nineteenth-century zoologist A. E. Verrill.
• Discussion in marginalia by readers of 1950s pop-existentialism.
• Text and musical notes from a medieval choirbook.
• Field notes from Baluchistan, Iran, in the 1950s.
And, of course, much, much more!
Woot! This one was my contribution.
If you're in the area, I highly recommend the tour of Houghton on 11/1 (although I won't be there because I have to go to a professional development seminar, which I'm pretty sure is not going to be as much fun.)
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:23 PM on October 11, 2012
If you're in the area, I highly recommend the tour of Houghton on 11/1 (although I won't be there because I have to go to a professional development seminar, which I'm pretty sure is not going to be as much fun.)
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:23 PM on October 11, 2012
This is fantastic, thank you.
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:05 PM on October 11, 2012
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:05 PM on October 11, 2012
Cool, thanks!
posted by safetyfork at 8:34 PM on October 11, 2012
posted by safetyfork at 8:34 PM on October 11, 2012
This is neat.
But this description of the German choir book is wrong:
posted by Jahaza at 9:20 PM on October 11, 2012
But this description of the German choir book is wrong:
This is the left side (verso) of the first (and only remaining) leaf of Latin text and notes from a choir book written in western Germany around the turn of the 13th century, used to record both the musical notes (“horseshoe-nail” notes, in black on a red 4-line staff) and the words of the prayers to be sung at the hour of compline (before retiring) during Pentecost, the feast celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.As the article cited in the description notes, it's the recto side that has compline prayers and music. This side, the verso, appears to have music (responsories) from matins.
posted by Jahaza at 9:20 PM on October 11, 2012
Thanks, Jahaza, we're working on a correction.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:22 AM on October 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:22 AM on October 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
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posted by Apropos of Something at 5:16 PM on October 11, 2012