Book a date for literary exhibition at the University
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
The exhibition showcases materials from the archives of British publishers as well as photos from the recently acquired W.H. Smith archive
Expand your literary horizons and learn more about the history of the novel through a fascinating collection of letters, photos, books and documents at the University of Reading's Museum of English Rural Life this month.
The display focuses on the changing literary marketplace of the late 19th and early 20th Century, when novels became cheaper, more readily accessible, and more widely read. The exhibition showcases materials from the archives of British publishers as well as photos from the recently acquired W.H. Smith archive and rare books about reading and bookselling from the Mark Longman library.
It has been curated by Dr Nicola Wilson and Dr Andrew Nash from the Department of English Language and Literature. Dr Wilson, said; "As an academic, it has been a fantastic experience and opportunity being able to take things out of the archive and put them on public display.
"I have learnt a great deal through thinking about the curation of the exhibition and how best to display the materials. I would like to thank all of the staff at MERL who have offered advice, and particularly Nancy Fulford, who helped to set it up."
The exhibition, entitled, ‘Selling and distributing literary cultures, 1880-1940', runs until 30 March at MERL in Redlands Road. Opening hours are 9-5pm Tuesday to Friday, and 2-4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The Exhibition is connected to an Arts and Humanities research Council-funded project on 'The Impact of Distribution and Reading Patterns on the History of the Novel, 1880-1940'.
Details of the exhibition and a one-day symposium on the same theme, open to all, can be found on the English Literature research website >>>