By: Ronny Litvack-Katzman, Research Assistant, ROAAr At first glance, the Agony Column appears a perfect outlet for clandestine correspondences. Throughout the 19th-century, thousands of writers across the British Empire successfully sent and received cryptic messages through popular Victorian newspapers such …
“I fear our cypher is detected”: When agony ads go awry Read More »
It’s that time again! After more than two years of virtual ceremonies and convocation-themed Zoom backgrounds, happy graduates and their families are back on McGill’s beautiful campuses. To celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of ten fun Library-related things to do …
10 McGill Library activities to do with visitors in town for convocation Read More »
Lire la version française by Jacquelyn Sundberg, Outreach and Special Projects, ROAAr, McGill Library Curiosity, As the 🌲🌲 t of all evils, 🐝ware oh 👩, Of [temptation] the be🧙♀️ing ch💪 Of curio🏢🏙️🌉🌇; Set 4 rebus cards. 1780. Rare Books and Special Collections, Sheila R. Bourke Collection …
by Ronny Litvack-Katzman, Research Assistant, ROAAr “A whole romance contained in four little lines”, “seven words [that] gave a three volume novel in a nutshell” — such are the descriptions that 19th-century commentators gave to the collection of personal advertisements …
A whole romance contained in four little lines: Introducing the Agony Column Read More »
Explore different mealtime riddle practices in this curated exhibit of items from McGill’s Collections and beyond, and the way games, puzzles and play both educate and entertain. One way to connect with family and friends is over a meal or …
Food for Thought: Riddles and Riddling Ways Exhibit Read More »
Outdoor activities are front and center this holiday break. If you are looking for a fun way to stay warm after an afternoon of sledding or skiing, try your hand at solving these jigsaw puzzles featuring vintage images courtesy of …
Virtual Puzzles: Winter fun & a splash of colour to ring in 2021 Read More »
![Gaspe : all expense tours from Montreal. Montreal : Provincial Transport Co., [1934]. Rare Books and Special Collections. McGill University Library.](https://news.library.mcgill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/uncat_0476_gaspe_all_expense_tours_from_montreal_cover-1-150x150.jpg)
Although a staycation may be in the cards for many of us, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be transported to beautiful spaces and places! Enjoy images from these travel publications-turned-digital jigsaw puzzles from McGill Rare Books & Special Collections’ …
Are we there yet? Piece together rare & colourful travel illustrations. Read More »
Shakespeare added thousands of words to the English language, wrote both drama and poetry, and even bought himself a noble title! But was he a riddler? Apparently, literature and riddles have always been related.[1] As The Riddle Project dove into …
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Protestant Churches would often host fundraising events called Conundrum Suppers. At these events, guests would order from menus entirely composed of riddles! Yet riddling menus were not the only entertainment. Performances and …
Dress the Part! The Costumes of Conundrum Suppers Read More »
In many ways, the history of the riddle is the history of the Bible.[1] Riddles are scattered throughout both the Old and New Testaments, present in some of the most well-known stories, such as the riddle Samson told at his …
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