The Public Domain Review

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The False Young Man (1937)

Tuesday 2 July 2019 at 07:20

Recording by the legendary musicologist Alan Lomax of Abner Boggs singing a heartrending rendition of this popular murder ballad.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-false-young-man-1937


H. G. Wells and the Uncertainties of Progress

Thursday 27 June 2019 at 02:00

In addition to the numerous pioneering works of science fiction by which he made his name, H. G. Wells also published a steady stream of non-fiction meditations, mainly focused on themes salient to his stories: the effects of technology, human folly, and the idea of progress. As Peter J. Bowler explores, for Wells the notion of a better future was riddled with complexities.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/h-g-wells-and-the-uncertainties-of-progress


The Language of Flowers: An Alphabet of Floral Emblems (1857)

Wednesday 26 June 2019 at 07:21

Ever wondered what sentiments the various flowers express? The Victorians have you covered.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-language-of-flowers-an-alphabet-of-floral-emblems-1857


Through the First Antarctic Night (1900)

Friday 21 June 2019 at 07:22

Journal of one of the first to spend winter on Antarctica, including more than 2 months of total darkness.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/through-the-first-antarctic-night-1900


The Beast of Gévaudan (1764–1767)

Wednesday 19 June 2019 at 07:26

Illustrations of a mysterious and terrifying animal that terrorised a small region of France in the 1760s.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-beast-of-gevaudan-1764-1767


Lustucru: From Severed Heads to Ready-Made Meals

Thursday 13 June 2019 at 02:00

Jé Wilson charts the migration of the Lustucru figure through the French cultural imagination — from misogynistic blacksmith bent on curbing female empowerment, to child-stealing bogeyman, to jolly purveyor of packaged pasta.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/lustucru-from-severed-heads-to-ready-made-meals


X is for...

Wednesday 12 June 2019 at 16:46

How alphabet books dealt with the letter X before the rise of x-rays and xylophones.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/x-is-for


John Martin's Illustrations of Paradise Lost (1827)

Thursday 6 June 2019 at 17:38

John Martin's epic mezzotint illustrations for John Milton's classic tale of falling from paradise.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/john-martin-s-illustrations-of-paradise-lost-1827


Agnes Catlow’s Drops of Water (1851)

Tuesday 4 June 2019 at 17:05

From the golden age of the microscope, a book on the animalcules that infuse stagnant water, undetectable to the naked eye.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/agnes-catlows-drops-of-water-1851


Bob's Electrical Theatre (1906)

Wednesday 29 May 2019 at 17:46

Very early animation in which puppets get up to various routines, including wrestling, fencing, and what appears to be a short bout of bum smacking.

Source: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/bob-s-electrical-theatre-1906