Articles

The Library's unique collections are a treasure chest of unusual, interesting and sometimes surprising material just waiting to be found. This anthology, written by the Editor, is based on an eclectic selection of our archive. The author asserts her copyright on all material on the Priaulx Library website except where copyright of other authors is expressly notified. Permission to reproduce material from this website and full attribution to the author is required in all cases.

18th century

Merchants and Traders of 1711

A list of the names of the merchants operating in Guernsey who voluntarily paid tax towards expenses incurred by members of a States' Deputation to the King, in 1711, with the amount of tax they paid reflecting their income.

John Williams

John Williams, seaman, aged 25 years, five feet five inches high, dark complexion, black hair, slender made; has a scar on the back part of his head; is tatowed, and a native of Guernsey; speaks French.

Lilium Sarniense, or, a Description of the Guernsay-Lilly

Frontispiece of Douglas' Guernsay Lilly, 1725, in the Priaulx Library Collection

Lilium Sarniense, or, a Description of the Guernsay-Lilly. To which is added The Botanical Dissection of the Coffee Berry. With Figures. By Dr. James Douglas, Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London; and Fellow of the Royal Society. London: Printed by G. STRAHAN, at the Golden Ball, over-against the Royal Exchange, Cornhill. 1725.

Guernsey in 1775 and in 1837

By Ferdinand Brock Tupper, in Duncan's The Guernsey and Jersey Magazine III (1837), pp. 233 ff.

Early children's books

Pussy's road to ruin, from the Priaulx Library Collection

The Priaulx Library has amongst its collection of rare items several books intended for children.

Richard de Jersey's Book of Navigation

'A thing of exquisite beauty and great interest.' One of the LIbrary's treasures, the award-winning Book of Navigation, handwritten and illustrated by Richard de Jersey in 1737.

Sword Exercise of the Cavalry

Guard from Sword Exercise by J G Le Marchant, 1796, Priaulx Library Collection

J. Gaspard Le Marchant, Rules and Regulations for the Sword Exercise of the Cavalry, LONDON, PRINTED for the WAR OFFICE, and sold by T. EGERTON, MILITARY LIBRARY, WHITEHALL, 1796.

Indentures

Sample form for Louage d'un apprentif, from the Supplement to Thomas Le Frocq's Nouveau Precepteur, 1818, and actual indenture of 1711 from our collection.

Shrimps, 1763

The Royal Court republished this 1763 Ordnance in January 1813.

Castle Cornet threatens Napoleon

From Collins' Stranger's Guide to Guernsey, 1833, p. 66.

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