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Images
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Writing: Making Your Mark exhibition space. -
Ancient Egyptian stele, with classical Egyptian hieroglyphs. Circa 1600 BCE. -
Sandstone sphinx featuring Sinaitic hieroglyphs. Circa 1800 BCE. -
Shichi iroha showing Japanese katakana syllabary. 1661. -
Mainz Psalter, a masterpiece of the first few years of printing in Europe. 1457. -
Lord Alfred Tennyson’s own quill, bent in anger. -
William Caxton’s edition of The Canterbury Tales, the first book printed in England. 1476. -
Have your handwriting analysed according to rules on graphology, published over 100 years ago.
Discover the extraordinary story behind one of humankind’s greatest achievements through more than 100 objects spanning 5,000 years and seven continents
Beginning with Egyptian hieroglyphs and Mayan symbols carved in stone, follow writing’s remarkable evolution through to early printed text such as William Caxton’s 1476 edition of The Canterbury Tales, the first book printed in England, and on to the hand-written notes of some of history’s greatest minds – Captain Scott, Mozart, James Joyce, and Florence Nightingale amongst them.
Marvel at centuries of human innovation as items such as Tennyson’s quill show how writing enabled creativity, and a 60,000-strong petition against Bengali partition demonstrates how writing gave us tools for political protest.
Our exhibition gives you the chance to reflect on the beauty of writing as gold-laden calligraphy, created by a Japanese empress, and royal charters show how writing carries history in its every stroke.
Finally, reflect on writing’s future and the role it will play in an increasingly digital world. Will we abandon pens and keyboards for voice and video messaging or, as history has shown, continue to carry the traditions of ancient times with us?
Further Information
If you have any questions about your visit, please contact Customer Services: Customer-Services@bl.uk or +44 (0)1937 546060.
If you’re a group of 10 people or more, get a 10% discount off ticket prices or book an introductory talk for £18 including entry to the exhibition.
Find out more about the learning programme to accompany the exhibition, including primary school workshops, self-guided visits for school groups,teacher events, family activities and adult courses.