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The Collation

is the author used for Folger Mystery posts, Q&As with Folger staff, and other general posts.
“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: June 2021
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: June 2021

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The Collation

We’re back! Whew! After a few technical difficulties last month, we return to bring you another Crocodile Mystery. We’ll pause while the wild cheering dies down. Please consider the image below and tell us, if you can, what’s going on…

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: April 2021
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: April 2021

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The Collation

Never smile at a crocodile…mystery, that is. Especially when Shakespeare looks this shocked. Which 20th century performer is holding Shakespeare’s terrified, Yorick-ified head? If you’re not too scared, leave your guesses in the comments below and come back next week…

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: March 2021
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: March 2021

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The Collation

We’ve come full circle—it’s (almost) March again. Or maybe it’s always been March? Instead of breaking your brain wondering how that can possibly be, here’s a new crocodile mystery to ponder: can you guess what happened to this binding and…

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: February 2021
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: February 2021

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The Collation

Welcome back to another crocodile mystery. For February, please take a look at this image (strategically cropped for maximum mystery); tell us what you think it is, and/or what it represents. We’ll be back next week with the answer!

“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: December 2020
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“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: December 2020

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The Collation

Ack! Nearly December already? Wasn’t it just March? (Isn’t it still March?) Guess that means it’s time for another Crocodile Mystery. Take a look at the image below. It’s not pencil on paper. It’s not oil on canvas. What is…

“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: November 2020
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“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: November 2020

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The Collation

It’s time to puzzle over another Crocodile post! This month try to figure out what the object is—and bonus points to anyone who can guess who the figure might be! As always, leave your thoughts in the comments below, and…

“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: October 2020
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“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: October 2020

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The Collation

Welcome to another Crocodile Mystery! This month we ask you to look at the image below and tell us what you think might be going on? What sort of questions does this image generate? As always, leave your thoughts in…

“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: September 2020
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“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: September 2020

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The Collation

Welcome back for another Crocodile post! As you face the new challenges Fall brings to us, take a few moments to breathe out, and take a look at this month’s mystery. What’s going on in this image? Where is it…

“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: August, 2020
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“What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?”: August, 2020

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The Collation

Some types of publication have fairly standard proportions. For example, you can be pretty sure this oblong volume isn’t a Bible or a play text: Front cover of The pen’s excellencie, or, The secretaries delighte / Written by Martin Billingsley.…

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: July 2020
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: July 2020

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The Collation

Welcome back for another Crocodile Mystery! As you enjoy this first week of July (really? really? Who said the calendar could do that?), spare some thoughts for this mystery image. What’s going on in this image? What are those letters…

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: June 2020
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: June 2020

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The Collation

For June’s crocodile mystery, something made us chuckle in this image. What is it? Image from Luna, click to enlarge Leave your guesses below and we’ll be back with the answer next week.

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: May 2020
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: May 2020

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The Collation

Welcome to the May Crocodile Mystery! Take a look at this image: This sheet has been used as endpaper in a book (the image has been rotated to make the text more legible) but can you guess to what it…

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