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.

The Mystery of the Ostrich-feather Hat

9th March 2015

Judy and Brian Harden of Gloucestershire, specialists in portrait miniatures, approached the Library for advice as to the identity of the sitters for a pair of miniatures by the Jersey artist Philip Jean, bearing the date of 1785. While researching these we noticed some striking similarities between them and other local miniatures we were familiar with.

Victor Hugo and Guernsey: sparring with Palmerston

9th March 2015

The Guernsey reaction to Victor Hugo's letters on the death penalty, 1854; an examination of newspapers and other resources in the Library.

Guy Fawkes' Night 1947

Children watching Guy Fawkes procession, 1947, from Priaulx Library Collection

'Accident-free Guy Fawkes' Night was a brilliant success,' by Star Reporter, and 'St Saviour's procession raised 50 pounds,' from the same number of the Star.

Death warrant for the trees, November 1947

St Julian's Avenue.

A very detached house indeed, November 1947

Brecqhou 1962, Priaulx Library Collection

A visit to the island of Brecqhou, by Bernard Brett, from The Star, November 1947. The detail is from a 1962 photograph in the Library collection.

The Good Intent, June 1777

A letter from Governor Le Mesurier to Mr Stephens, dated Alderney June 7 1777. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams considered Guernsey men as 'artful enemies.' The French, however, called the Channel Islands 'nids de guêpes'—'wasps' nests,' used in the sense they were a trap, a hornet's nest that one should not kick ...

October 1812

From local newspapers in our collection.

1834: Flowers and fruit

Collected from local newspaper reports by the Gardener's Magazine, X (1834).

Lady climbers

From the Star of 26 August, 1880. An indignant letter to the Editor about the suitability for ladies of visiting the Gouliot Caves in Sark. 'To all women we say, Go to the Gouliot Caves.' Also featuring: the dishonesty of tourist guides in Sark and Jersey.

Search form

Search form

Articles

The Mystery of the Ostrich-feather Hat

Victor Hugo and Guernsey: sparring with Palmerston

Guy Fawkes' Night 1947

Death warrant for the trees, November 1947

A very detached house indeed, November 1947

The Good Intent, June 1777

October 1812

1834: Flowers and fruit

Lady climbers

Les Vill'ries, November 1947

Changing language of the Channel Isles, June 1907

Herm carrageen, c. 1865

Categories

Articles

Pages

Categories