Books · Observations · Humour

François Panard's poem in the shape of a glass as an example of a calligram

No, you are not seeing things: it really is champagne. It is in fact a poem by François Panard in the shape of a wine glass. Verses arranged into a thematic image are known as calligrams. As for the merits of a poetry of simple rhymes in the manner of

NB! · Archive · Art · Observations · Mores · Humour

Louis XII's valet de chambre Pierre Sala gives his heart to a daisy in token of his love for Marguerite Buillou

Louis XII's valet de chambre Pierre Sala gives his heart to a daisy in token of his love for Marguerite Buillou. One wonders how he survived such an operation at all.

Art · Observations · Society · Humour

Parshchikov's Suspence series and snowmen at the Just a Shot Away exhibition in the Alina Pinskaya Gallery

Those who are certainly not feeling the cold are Parshchikov's snowmen. Incidentally, this is one of three staged shots at the exhibition Just a Shot Away at the Alina Pinsky Gallery. The curated selection of around 40 works consists mainly of the Suspence series and conveys a mood

Sixteenth-century handwritten letter in brown ink on aged paper, written in an italic script and signed Elizabeth at the bottom.

NB! · Archive · Monarchies · Observations · Humour

Two letters in Elizabeth I's own hand and how her handwriting changed over ten years

Two letters written in the hand of Queen Elizabeth I of England. We shall not discuss their contents; the question is how this young lady's handwriting changed in just 10 years, growing airier with age, but less legible. My own handwriting is also forever changing, but, unlike Elizabeth&

Books · Observations · Mores · Humour

Since yesterday the Lord tried my patience with seventeen minutes of waiting for a waiter at Kofemania, I have resolved to give up restaurant food until the end of the year

Since yesterday the Lord tried my patience with seventeen minutes of waiting for a waiter at Kofemania, I have resolved to give up restaurant food until the end of the year. Happily, the Foreign Literature Library has put a selection of New Year recipes on its website. I have already

Gold diadem with two gazelle heads and round rosettes inlaid in blue and red, shown against a dark background.

NB! · Archaeology · Art · Museums · Humour

Diadem of one of the wives of Thutmose III with gazelle heads and rosettes

Diadem of one of the wives of Thutmose III. Style 👌🏼

Screenshot of a message advising on storing a costume horizontally, layered with rice paper or micalent.

NB! · Museums · Observations · Humour

How to Store a Costume by Museum Rules: Paper, Micalent and Horizontal Boxes

If you think your clothes deserve museum storage, here is the recipe. Do not forget the large horizontal boxes of museum-grade, acid-free conservation board

NB! · Observations · Nature · Humour

Everyone is curious about the far side of the moon, but what of the far side of the hedge?

Geography · Observations · Humour

The world's longest rail journey, from southern Portugal to Singapore

The world's longest railway journey will take about 21 days and cover 18,755 km by train: from southern Portugal to Singapore. Such a trip has become possible thanks to the opening of the high-speed railway line from Kunming in China to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

NB! · Observations · Humour

Dear diary, today is day 55 of my diet

Art · People · Humour

Do Not Climb: It Will Kill You!

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1881

NB! · Humour