Delighted to see the album of my music getting a five-star review in Choir & Organ. www.choirandorgan.com/content/revi...

Had some new headshots done, in preparation for an exciting new project later this year.

Well, that's a nice little label to find. #iykyk

A German brocade paper on a copy of the Almanach royal for 1778.

Block-printed endpapers on a copy of Seibt, Katholisches Lehr- und Gebethbuch (Augsburg, 1792).

Out now: simonbeattie.co.uk/wp-content/u...

Pleasing to see Pitstone Windmill on my calendar this month. It's one of the oldest post mills in the country (at least 1627) and stands in a field just outside the Buckinghamshire village where I grew up.

The video from our Winter Virtual Visit to the Vatican Apostolic Library is now available on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/qFpVFbd7PSk

New business card. With thanks to Paul Felton at Common Curiosity for the design.

An enjoyable visit, exploring the College of Arms' collections, with the Friends of the Nations' Libraries.

A quick check on the sea lions (and glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge) before heading out to the airport. Thank you, San Francisco!

The weekend saw two pieces of mine being performed: this by the Girl Choristers of Guildford Cathedral, and my Short Service by All Saints, Fulham. Thank you, Katherine Dienes-Williams and Jonathan Wikeley. Performances mean so much.

Pleased to see a music shop on the wonderful 1930s murals in Coit Tower. Worth the climb!

Nice meeting the locals.

I got this text yesterday: "Thank you so much for donating on 17/02/2026. Your donation has now been issued to Newham General Hospital. Every donation counts." It's always interesting to know where one's blood goes.

Nice view of Greenland yesterday.

A welcome sight this morning.

Well, it's always worth a look.

This is a mid-eighteenth-century cardboard box, from France. I know. Contain yourself.

An early catalogue (1798) of art exhibited during the infancy of the Louvre, privately printed for the museum and sold to raise money for it. On show next week at the California Antiquarian Book Fair.

On Tuesday 3 March 2026, at 15.30 GMT, the Bibliographical Society will travel virtually to the Vatican Apostolic Library. Founded in 1450 by Pope Nicholas V to promote Humanistic studies, the Vatican Library is one of the world’s most famous libraries.

After a bit of a break last year, it's good to be donating again. #GiveBlood

Striking block-printed endpapers on a 1776 German translation of The Vicar of Wakefield.

Sheila's Shakes(peare).

Yesterday, someone in Bristol (thank you!) listened to 17 tracks on my SoundCloud page. Hope they liked what they heard. soundcloud.com/simon-42-1

On the eve of #ValentinesDay: gilt-lettered pink paper framed with blue silk, in a devotional manual printed in Nuremberg in 1782, this copy given by a loving bridegroom to his bride in May 1787.

Enjoyed this over lunch. I first started reading Julian Barnes's books when I was in my teens. The first chapter of 'A History of the World in 10½ Chapters' will always be a favourite. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

First edition of what must be Haydn's most famous tune, first performed #OTD in 1797. Now best known as the German national anthem (and the beginning of the theme tune to BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue).

A rather wonderful Irispapier ('rainbow paper') from c.1840, from the bindery belonging to Johann Michael Zötl, a bookseller in Freistadt, Upper Austria.

Out now: simonbeattie.co.uk/wp-content/u...

Thoroughly enjoyed The Essay last week, 'Almost Famous' by Ian Sansom: Granville Bantock, Charlotte Mew (a new name to me), Gwen Raverat, Barbara Comyns... www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

One of the many benefits of joining the London Library is being able to read books in first edition.

I must say I do like what binder did here with the Greek key/leaf combo.

Birthday choices. In the end, I went Kenyan. It's a lovely coffee. Hints of licorice.

It’s always interesting to see what was used up in bindings such as here, on a book from 1776. Apparently, according to my learned colleague Andrew Gaub, this may be a bookseller’s overstock wholesale catalogue.

Who doesn't love a good fore-edge?

Next up: our 3rd US tour. We'll be setting off in a week's time. If you can make it to any of our concerts, do come and say hello! More details on our website.

A (German) publisher’s binding from 1819. So far ahead, aesthetically, of anything coming out of Britain at that time.

Etched title vignette from 1829. Wednesday vibes.

A year ago today we began recording with this wonderful team. If you haven’t yet, do have a listen: www.orchidclassics.com/releases/orc... #TheWorldToMe

I've always rather liked the metal 'trees' holding up the ceiling at Stuttgart airport.

Another day, another book fair.

I've always thought it very sensible that Germans provide a little bin on your breakfast table.

Nice spot for a book fair.

Please join us for a joint event with the Institute of English Studies on 3 February: ‘Shelf Improvement: How to Collect and Present a Prize-Worthy Book Collection’. What makes a good collection, how to craft a winning entry, and how to avoid potential pitfalls.

#OTD in 2019: Stuart Young kindly got together some people to sing some of my music. The results are on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/simon-42-1). Since then, I have had pieces published and a whole album of my music released.

We are having technological troubles with internet at the Society of Antiquaries and tonight’s lecture will likely not be broadcast online. Our speaker will be recording his talk at a later date.

A new reference book. Pleasingly, a presentation copy from Hans Schneider (1921–2017) to Albi Rosenthal (1914–2004), thus linking two of the great music dealers of the 20th century.

By Marguerite Ponce (1745–1800), who is largely known for her vignettes etc for books.