Archive · Observations · Science

The subtractive rule in Roman numerals and older variants of their notation

At times one comes across original formats of Roman numerals that differ from the familiar ones. /For the sake of clarity, in the explanation below I shall separate the orders of magnitude with full stops; this is permissible/ As regards the notation we are accustomed to, 1899 ought to be

NB! · Archive · Observations · Humour

Found my hairstyle of the day on a nameless queen in a fourteenth-century manuscript, while a dim-witted gatekeeper leans out of his window, ready to pass comment on our hairdresser

NB! · Archive · Observations · Mores · Humour

The Perils of Fashion, a Nineteenth-Century Depiction

The perils of fashion, a nineteenth-century depiction. Pity there is no such picture for brains

NB! · Archive · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour

Do Read Item 17 of a Circus Programme from 1885

Do read item 17 of a circus programme from 1885. A HORSE named Blondin WALKS A TIGHTROPE AT A HEIGHT OF 6 METRES. The horses I know can only booze and retouch their photos for Instagram 🙄

Archive · Art · Books · Heritage

Tauromachia etchings found in a hidden recess of a castle library are offered at Sotheby's

A Collection of Goya Etchings Found by Chance in a French Château. Published in 1816, the Tauromaquia was no commercial success, but the etchings that have now turned up are going under the hammer at Sotheby's with a starting price of $820,000 The rare prints were discovered

NB! · Archive · Art · Books

In a French château, an inventory of the library has turned up a hiding place holding a rare set of Goya's bullfighting prints

NB! · Archive · Observations · Humour

Sitting in my cell, awaiting congratulations on Archives Day

Black and white photo of women in hats holding a “Française doit voter” sign and copies of La Femme nouvelle, with the Eiffel Tower behind them.

NB! · Archive · Observations · Society

Frenchwomen with placards demand the right to vote for women

Frenchwomen of 1947 fight for the right to vote. Happy holiday, girls! Find something good and fight for it!

NB! · Archive · Books · Humour

Medieval Bestiaries Have Answered the Question of How to Receive Many Gifts on 8 March

An open medieval book of hours with Latin text and ornamented blue and red initials, set against a dark blue background.

NB! · Archive · Faith · Books · Monarchies · Humour

Personal Book of Hours of Richard III, 15th Century, with His Own Notes

The personal Book of Hours of Richard III, with annotations and entries made in his own hand. Fifteenth century: no gentleman of breeding can imagine himself without a book, even if it be a devotional one. Well, this attachment is no worse than an iPhone

Archive · Books · Museums · Observations

I read this card with such delight!

I read this card with such delight! And afterwards I pestered a member of the museum staff, quizzing him about the details of the dinner depicted, about which room Napoleon-Jérôme (nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and darling of the whole family) had stayed in, and whether any of his personal

NB! · Archive · Monarchies · Mores · People

The table is laid for ten: George Sand receives her guests

The table is laid for ten: George Sand receives her guests. In this photograph you can make out that the head of the table is reserved for a certain Prince. Know, then, that the place card reads 'Le Prince Jérôme Napoléon'