All England is aestivating May thru September en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aestiva...

Seiko Astrolabe diver watch, 41mm, high grade 8L35 movement, same as Grand Seiko 9S55 but unadjusted undecorated And a Nigerian Star beer with same colour scheme The Astrolabe is undoubtedly the best value 62MAS style watch, coming in at less than lower grade 8R movements on the secondary market

I like these semiquincentennial quarters. Uncontentious. Celebrate the revolution and the Declaration of Independence Bit of a sharp intake of breath over the dime. "Liberty over Tyranny". Laudable as a long term aim I guess

Only known copy of the Declaration taken by military action Dec 1776. Found folded among letters of Captain Thomas Fitzherbert brought to Plymouth in Jan 1777. Listed without distinction by Fitzherbert as "another paper". National Archives story in link: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...

It's easy to get nochalant about London. At times you need to sit your ass down and think about what a wonderful city it is. This pelican is a short walk from my house, and me and my doggie are currently seated just watching him do nothing #London

More world cup players have admitted to having a crush on antiquarian books (as I have) than have admitted to having a crush on guys (as I do) 🤣🤣🤣 I'm happy for this but come on guys, some of you also need to come out 🌈 🏳️‍🌈

Been around town taking care of Austin's unpaid bar bills. Took him out in my PJs and he dragged me direct to the Queen's Head. Austin took scraps as tax, then dragged me to the Windmill. Apologising to both bar owners, I explained I'd no wallet and THE DOG WAS TO BLAME. Anyway, all settled up now.

Me and Dog have separately been away a few days. When we left, one twin was on crutches due a replacement leg joint. When we return, both on crutches due a bad accident at Roller Disco today. Unavailable for Walkies for several months. Dog will be miffed. Walk plans get hard. Here's some nice pics.

I'm told Gen Z watch tiktoks instead of hobbies. I hobbied today. Searched Library of Congress concordances before uploading books on LibraryThing. This allows someone looking for a very rare book to ask to see my book leading to us becoming friends then lovers. Watching tiktoks doesn't do that!

This is how you do a State Fair. The Crystal Palace May 1851, based on a June 1850 sketch. 11 months concept to opening. A display of a confident rich nation with energy and imagination Meanwhile: www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/u... DC's vinyl covered Triumphal Arch stapled on wood is disintegrating

Pre WW1 mainly 19th century stamp album that I encouraged a friend to bid on nowadays not valuable esp in this condition but there are many great rarities- it's very unusual to see complete pages like these, two from US two from UK. Album covers the whole world with lots colonial types (later)

Me right, smiling, with Dr. Patricia, sis and bro, Portobello road market London 1973. Bunch of hippies.

I'm both an engineer and an antiquarian book lover. Engineers love to add parameters and sort options but have to be physically restrained from feature-creep by the finance bods. Google books bigger issue is that compared to archive.org, it isn't book oriented at all. It's designed to sell adverts.

New strap on my Prince fitted LHR Rolex AD Lineup uninteresting. Lotsa variants of basic Oysters. Unobtainable fancies (Daytona). Rolex don't do nice dials akin Grand Seiko. Platinum bezel yachtmaster & two tone Datejust on steel oyster are nice. No Land dweller. My own watches are nicer (pics)

A few years ago I mocked up a facsimile of this manuscript just so I could get my head around its mechanics. I'm co-authoring an essay that discusses it so I opened this video I made, and you can hear my dog (then puppy) whimpering the background...my poor heart! www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

We delayed Austin's walk this evening as London temp is forecast to drop from 34 to 28 between 7pm and 9pm This is Austin protesting about the delay. He won't sit down. He just keeps telling me "Andrew you forgot my evening walk" in every possible way

99 years after Fulvio's 1517 Illustrium Imagines, in 1616 Megiser 1554-1619 published a similar ''Bildnisvitenbücher' - compare images Fulvio prettier but Megiser quotes Antiquarians: Scaliger 1484-1558, Cuspinian 1473-1529, Reusner 1545-1602, Boissard 1528-1602, Mycillus 1503-58 & Velius 1493-1539

Koehler's 1720 numismatic atlas of the ancient world, 44 hand coloured folio sized plates. Bright and sharp on good quality paper, every detail clear, colour very exact, coin images to rival best. A little page turn video. New in my library #geography 🏺

Today is the winter solstice and shortest day of the year for 850,000,000 humans

Romanorum imperatorum effigies Gio.Batt. Cavalieri engraver Vincent Accolt printer Rome 1583 MDLXXXIII Rare and late 'Bildnisvitenbücher' with 156 engraved busts & histories, evidently from ancient coins. Cavalieri worked with Vico and is best known for his 4 vols Ancient Roman Statues 1561-1594

Two weeks before America's 250th anniversary the White House surrounds looks as if a British Canadian army had just visited Let's Celebrate the Spirit of August 1814 🇨🇦 🇬🇧

Austin serving cuteness #dogs

J.D. Koehler's numismatic atlas of ancient world, Nuremberg, Christoph Weigel, 1720 views of Iran and Persian Gulf, finely hand illustrated, bright colours, many illustrations of ancient coins, on high quality paper. Complete, XLIV double spread plates [most such atlases broken up for parts]

Theresianum Library in Vienna where I'm at a conference on taxonomy in ancient coins in the 1500s 1600s and 1700s as evidenced by books manuscripts and collection arrangements

Austin knows a Judas manoeuvre. Last two times I left without him, once leaving him alone a few hours, this time with travel bag, he refused the treat I offered. Just left a piece of chicken untouched on the floor while looking accusingly This is after a shower. Same betrayed look #dogs

Njideka Akunyili Crosby, born in Nigeria, commissioned by the Obamas for their presidential library portrait. Drawing on art, history and politics she creates densely layered figurative compositions that conjure the complexity of contemporary experience. www.njidekaakunyilicrosby.com/about

Yes it could be argued that keeping up with world events is important but alternatively can I interest you in hugging an ancient mossy boulder that looks like a face and quietly listening while it tells you stories from centuries cloaked in mist.

Illustrations of excellent ancient statues in Rome and Paris. Illustrator H.F. Perrier, publ. P.J.Schulbacher, printed A.Pichler Vienna 1797. Engraved plates depicting famous classical sculptures, German black type descrptive text New in my library. Not seen this book or its engravings before

The correct watch to wear to an academic conference on Renaissance studies. Tomorrow thru Friday, Vienna. Built 1959. Classification Systems for Ancient Coinage in the Early Modern Period. Austrian Archaeological Institute ÖAW.

I pulled four watches off the sale block due lack of offers. - Tudor Date steel & gold Rolex cased - Seiko Landmaster exquisite blue shimmering dial compass points 8L35 calibre - Seiko Brightz titanium case & bracelet 8L21A same Grand Seiko 9S51 - Seiko Datsun Z280 car collab, rotating inner bezel

España, by Ricard Verde, 1937, 📸 by Ronald Cortes

The Greek story of protecting the monuments from within during WWII occupation. Comparable to the better known Monuments Men who followed behind the allies' 1944 invasion, but much harder from inside occupied Greece Mission Accomplished: Kill Nazis, Save Statues www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/b...

My first high end chronograph, designed as a Zenith-Daytona beater, by the best 1970s Seiko watchmakers brought out of retirement, Credor GCBK991 tonneau with 6S77A mechanical movement, Seiko's only high end fully mechanical chronograph until the Tentagraph was introduced 2024

I've always been a little suspicious of calling any artist 'the greatest' as though there were some league table. But as the years passed, and the work continued it's restless advance, and the way of seeing never faltered, it became clear to me that David Hockney really was ours. RIP.

Rolex Oyster, 1920s Patek Philllippe, 1930s Gold #watch vibing among friends

a long read in view of today's IPO. It teases the possibility that if measures had been taken such that South Sea Company hadn't imploded, the industrial revolution might have been advanced 50 years, that there was real value but the value bubbled over www.investorschronicle.co.uk/content/4817...

absolutely nobody asked but, since we’re on the topic: The Bodleian: a library system encompassing several different buildings and collections The Old Bod/Schools Quad: a historic building where many collections were held The Rad Cam: that round one in tourist photos

Marlin Jet by Timex on a new blue leather strap. Pops.

"The Commonwealth's principles must surely apply to each of its 56 nations. And if not, there's a gay man in Kampala who grew up terrified of being exposed, beaten and arrested who wants to know why he's still waiting to be treated with dignity, respect – and equality" www.aol.co.uk/news/voices-...

Black and Red Yes I AM wearing a heavy gold chain with a huge gold Rolex pendant.

Retrieved this from the cabinets for an enquirer the other day and couldn’t resist sharing. An absolutely fabulous three-quarter facing bust of the usurper Postumus on this aureus, struck at his mint of Trier, Germany, c. AD 264.

Taste tested Balmuir 8 year old #whisky which won first place in its category - blended 8 year old Scotch - prompting reviews asking "is this the best whisky in the world?"

Dr. Patricia (96) is day drinking again 😕 🍸 💪 🤷‍♂️ Hard to keep these nonagerian doctorates off the sauce

One of my twins had knee replacement surgery Wednesday. I just got this message from the Intensive Care Unit. Something tells me that he's beginning to feel a bit better

Library today It's the usual complete shambles. Once in six months I reshelve. Reshelve means putting all the books stuffed at odd angles on the wrong shelf, needed to clear the floor for emergencies, back in the right place, only to discover that due new acquisitions the right place no longer fits

📖 Newly published: B. Hellings, M. Spoerri Butcher (@gordien3a.bsky.social) and C. Howgego (eds), Roman Coin Hoards across Frontiers (Oxford, 2026). doi.org/10.1093/9780... An impressive amount of new evidence for our understanding of the reach of Rome and the connectivity of the ancient world!

Great thread of examples of what others do for me, what I do for others, and what we all do for society & environment one caveat - it's normal but shouldn't be - is to do your professional job, free, for friends. Best rate sure but unless they are exchanging for their professional services, charge.

Surviving Biafra is a 75-minute film that presents differing perspectives on the Nigerian Civil War from both sides of the conflict. Director Meji Alabi speaks with soldiers and civilians his grandfather fought alongside and against. Now on www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002xsd0 via @bbciplayer

Houses and Monuments of Pompeii Le case ed di monumenti di Pompei 1854-1896 Fausto & Felice Niccolini Colour lithography documenting buildings, outdoor scenes, frescoes, statues and other objects reissued with complete 400 plates 2025 in large folio

Birthday cake in my library, coolest non air-conditioned room in London due being north facing.