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crocodile mystery

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: February 2022
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“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: February 2022

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Author
The Collation

For this month’s crocodile mystery, please examine these words from different manuscript recipe books from our collections, and tell us what they have in common. We’ll be back next week with the answer.      

Trappings of the stage
January 2022 croc mystery image
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Trappings of the stage

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Author
Rachel B. Dankert

Thanks to those who registered your guesses on our most recent Crocodile Mystery. All of the guesses gazed upward, when the answer actually lay underfoot. While these strange designs resemble theatrical lighting effects, they are, in fact, designs for stage…

"What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: January 2022
January 2022 croc mystery image
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"What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: January 2022

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Author
The Collation

This image sets the stage for this month’s theatrical Crocodile Mystery. What type of stage mechanics is represented in these designs? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and come back next year for the big reveal!

The book thief
page of Elizabeth Parris's deposition
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The book thief

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Author
Heather Wolfe

Response of James Tabor, public notary, July 10, 1604, in Henry Cotton vs. William Windle. Cambridge University Archives, Comm.Ct.II.11, fol. 57v. Today’s post is about a woman, Margaret Cotton, who allegedly stole a book in 1602. The book might have…

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

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Author
The Collation

For our final Crocodile Mystery of the year, here’s a paleographical challenge. What’s going on here, and why might the Crocodile find it interesting? (Disclaimer: This is not a Folger manuscript). Leave your thoughts, guesses, and attempts at transcriptions in…

Small Latin and Less Greek
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Small Latin and Less Greek

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Author
Abbie Weinberg

with many thanks to Sara Schliep, Bob Tallaksen, Emily Wahl, Nicole Winard, and Heather Wolfe for their generous and careful assistance with this post. They are just a few of the folks who have been working on this project. Thank…

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

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Author
The Collation

What is going on in this image? Does something look a little odd to you? Is it all Gr— well now, that would be giving it away. Leave your thoughts in the comments and we’ll be back next week with…

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

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Author
The Collation

We’re back with another Crocodile Mystery! Please take a look at this partial image, and give us your best guess as to what this item might be? We’ll be back next week with the answer!

Paper Trades
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Paper Trades

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Author
Caroline Duroselle-Melish

Thank you for your insightful comments on our Crocodile Mystery, which I enjoyed reading as usual. My heartfelt thanks also to Andrew Hare, Supervisory East Asian Painting Conservator, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Smithsonian’s National…

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

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Author
The Collation

For folks on an academic calendar, we’d like to extend our best wishes and support for a safe, happy, and/or productive new year. For those who aren’t quite ready to come to grips with the fact that tomorrow is September…

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

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Author
The Collation

This month’s Crocodile post brings to mind the classic board game Guess Who? (19th century edition!). Does your person have a giant mustache? Yes. Are they wearing a crown? Yes… Do they look annoyed? YES! For those of who you might struggle with this one, here’s a clue:…

Expurgation with decoration: type ornaments as replacement text
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Expurgation with decoration: type ornaments as replacement text

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Author
Erin Blake

Thanks for the great comments on last week’s Crocodile Mystery. Everyone scores ten points, with full marks going to the two commenters who correctly identified the publication.Plus a happy-face sticker on Philip’s comment for the tongue-in-cheek description of the apparent…

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