\n2025 Spring & Autumn Symposia<\/a>
\ndedicated to “Agents and Agencies”<\/strong><\/p>\n
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London, Welcome Collection, 45097i, image via Public Domain Mark https:\/\/wellcomecollection.org\/works\/g7kj7b2f\/images?id=kkakxfdz<\/p><\/div>\n
[Posted on 10 March 2025, with updates<\/em>]<\/p>\n Following the extraordinary success of our 2024 Spring and Autumn Symposia<\/a>, the central events during our 2024 Anniversary Year<\/strong> having the Theme of “Bridges”<\/a>, we turn to our 2025 pair of symposia under this year’s Theme of “Thresholds and Communities”<\/a>.<\/p>\n About the theme, see:<\/p>\n For the plan for the pair, see:<\/p>\n The 2025 Symposia<\/strong> explore the subject of Agents and Agencies<\/strong> regarding books.<\/p>\n As Part 1 of 2, the Spring Symposium<\/strong> (28\u201330 March 2025) addresses:<\/p>\n As Part 2 of 2, the Autumn Symposium<\/strong> (17\u201319 October 2025) considers:<\/p>\n Friday to Sunday 17\u201319 October 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n Paris, Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France. Biblioth\u00e8que de l’Arsenal, Ms-638 r\u00e9serve, fol.17v. Image Public Domain via https:\/\/gallica.bnf.fr\/ark:\/12148\/btv1b55008559f\/f38.item.<\/p><\/div>\n For the two Symposia, we examine aspects of \u201cAgents and Agencies<\/b>\u201d for books, mainly by human forces.\u00a0These aspects can range from the processes whereby the initial inspiration comes to take shape on the pages of manuscripts or printed books, combining words as well as images (including the image of the words themselves). Once created, the books enter the world by various agents\/agencies, then perhaps to experience or encounter additional ones which might transform them or re-create them decisively.<\/p>\n We propose to explore these factors, in multiple cases and approaches giving recognition to their variety, impact, and significance in the history of books as they pass through time to the present and beyond.\u00a0Without being limited to a particular period, genre, or type of agent\/agency, we might examine a wide range of phenomena, their challenges, and their delights.<\/p>\n RGME tradition produces illustrated Program Booklets for the Symposia, with participants\u2019 abstracts and selected accompanying illustrations, to grant insider-glimpses for our audience (at the event and after) not necessarily familiar with the wide range of subjects and materials under discussion.\u00a0 A recent example can be downloaded from the RGME website:<\/p>\n 2025 Spring Symposium Poster 1<\/p><\/div>\n We offer posters for this event.<\/p>\n They are laid out in RGME Bembino<\/strong>, our own multi-lingual digital font. (See RGME Bembino<\/a>.)<\/p>\n We circulate the printed version in both quarto (8 1\/2″ \u00d7 11″) and larger size (11″\u00d717″).<\/p>\n The poster can be downloaded in digital form. You are welcome to circulate them.<\/p>\n 2025 Spring Symposium Poster 2<\/p><\/div>\n There are 7 Sessions. They will provide presentations, conversations, roundtable discussions, and the opportunity for interactive Q&A.<\/p>\n Edgar Allan Poe (1848) Daguerrotype taken by W.S. Hartshorn, Providence, Rhode Island, November, 1848. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.<\/p><\/div>\n Day 1. Friday 28 March 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n Session 1 Break Session 2. Day 2. Saturday 29 March<\/strong><\/p>\n Session 3 Break Session 4 Lunch Break Session 5 Neuch\u00e2tel, Mus\u00e9e d’Art et d’Histoire de Neuch\u00e2tel, Les automates Jaquet-Droz Automata: The Writer. Photograph by Rama (2005), via the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 France license.<\/p><\/div>\n Break Session 6 Day 3. Sunday 30 March<\/strong><\/p>\n Session 7 Concluding Remarks For details, with speakers and titles, see the 8-page illustrated Program Booklet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It is available in 2 versions, according with your preferences for printing and viewing.<\/p>\n 1) As consecutive pages (8 1\/2 by 11 in. sheets)<\/p>\n 2) As a foldable booklet (11″ by 17″ sheets)<\/p>\n Soon we will issue the 2025 Spring Symposium Booklet<\/strong> with Abstracts.<\/p>\n For registration for the symposium, see below.<\/p>\n Speakers, Panelists, and Presiders include (in alphabetical order):<\/p>\n Phillip Bernhardt\u2013House<\/strong> (Independent Scholar) Subjects range from antiquity to the present day, as represented by manuscripts, printed books, and other media.<\/p>\n Examples include (in proposed program order):<\/p>\n To register for the Symposium, please visit the RGME Eventbrite Collection.<\/p>\n Advance registration for the Autumn Symposium (17\u201319 October 2025):<\/p>\n As food for thought, we offer some images as reference points for the range of agents and agencies at work in the realms of books.<\/p>\n Paris, Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France. Biblioth\u00e8que de l’Arsenal, Ms-638 r\u00e9serve, fol.17v. Evangelist Matthew as scribe. Book of Hours in Latin, 15th century. Image Public Domain via https:\/\/gallica.bnf.fr\/ark:\/12148\/btv1b55008559f\/f38.item.<\/p><\/div>\n Paris, Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France. Biblioth\u00e8que de l’Arsenal, Ms-638 r\u00e9serve, fol.17v. Book of Hours in Latin, 15th century. Saint Matthew writing at his desk accompanied by his symbol the angel, in an illustration above the text of Matthew 2:1-3 (stellam eius<\/em>) enclosed within a border containing branches, foliage, flowers, and birds. Image via https:\/\/iiif.biblissima.fr\/collections\/manifest\/0418e3c989d996266c02656f7390b8283b440ead<\/a><\/p>\n See also:<\/p>\n In visual representations, the author or scribe seated at the task of writing may occupy a larger study than the previous illustration and have secular rather than divine assistants, as well as more and larger books. Such is the case in some early-modern views of an alchemist<\/a> at work.<\/p>\n London, Welcome Collection, Painting by a follower of Thomas Wijck\/Wyck (circa 1616 \u2013 1677). Interior with an alchemist-type scholar seated at a large table and desk. Oil on canvas within frame. Wellcome Collection 45097i, image via Public Domain Mark https:\/\/wellcomecollection.org\/works\/g7kj7b2f\/images?id=kkakxfdz<\/p><\/div>\n Note on the Image<\/em><\/p>\n London, Wellcome Collection. Oil on canvas within frame. Painting by a follower of Thomas Wijck\/Wyck<\/a> (circa 1616 \u2013 1677). Interior with window and curtains at the left, drapery hanging at the top, and an alchemist-type scholar seated at work writing at a desk beside a central table piled with unrolled papers and large books opened and closed. Behind them is a globe; at the right another person sits at a table among chemical apparatus. In the foreground appear large books, a jar, and other apparatus. Given their size, central position, and the light shining upon them, the written materials on the table seem to be the principal subjects of attention.<\/p>\n Wellcome Collection 45097i, image via Public Domain Mark: https:\/\/wellcomecollection.org\/works\/g7kj7b2f\/images?id=kkakxfdz<\/a> .\u00a0\u00a0See also: Interior with an alchemist seated at a table, writing<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n London, Wellcome Collection 36093i. An alchemist peacefully writing in a room strewn with papers. Engraving by V.A.L. Texier after F. Giani after T. Wyck. Wellcome Collection. Source: Wellcome Collection; Public Domain Mark.<\/p><\/div>\n Note on the Image<\/em><\/p>\n London, Wellcome Collection, Victor Andr\u00e9 Louis Texier<\/a> (1777\u20131864) after Felice Giani<\/a> (1760\u20131823) after Thomas Wijck\/Wyck<\/a> (ca. 1616\u20131677). “An alchemist peacefully writing in a room strewn with papers (L\u2019alchymiste en m\u00e9ditation<\/em>) (n.d.).”\u00a0.<\/p>\n Intaglio on paper. Wellcome Collection 36093i, image via Public Domain Mark **********<\/p>\n In 2024, the RGME Symposia returned to the in-person format with our 2024 Spring Symposium, having online participation as well, in hybrid form.<\/p>\n Now we welcome you to the 2025 Spring and Autumn Symposia on “Agents and Agencies”<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch this space for more information as it unfolds. This site serves as the ‘Home Page’ for the Symposium. Here you can find updates.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Other Events are planned for the Year. See:<\/p>\n\n
2025 Spring and Autumn Symposia:
\n“Agents and Agencies”
\nParts 1 and 2<\/h2>\n\n
“Makers, Producers, and Collectors of Books:
\nFrom Author\/Artist\/Artisan to Library”<\/h3>\nFriday to Sunday, 28\u201330 March 2025<\/h3>\n
“Readers, Fakers, and Re-Creators of Books:
\nFrom Page to Marketplace and Beyond”<\/h3>\nMaking<\/h2>\n
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Posters<\/h1>\n
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Program<\/h1>\n
Program Overview<\/h2>\n
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\n1:30 – 3:00 pm EDT (GMT-4)
\n<\/strong>\u201cBooks Come to Life, Part I: Authorship\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>3:00 to 3:30 pm EDT<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n3:30-5:00 pm EDT
\n<\/strong>\u201cBooks Come to Life, Part II: Artistry from the Creator\u2019s Perspective\u201d<\/p>\n
\n9:00-10:30 am EDT
\n<\/strong>\u201cLife, Death, Afterlife, and Rebirth of Books\u201d<\/p>\n
\n10:30 – 11:00 am<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n11:00 am – 12:30 pm
\n<\/strong>\u201cPicture This: Books into Being\u201d<\/p>\n
\n12:30-1:30 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n1:30-3:00
\n<\/strong>\u201cBooks and Written Records as Repositories of Knowledge and Wonder\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Automates-Jaquet-Droz-p1030493-1-300x278.jpg\")
\n3:00-3:30 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n3:30-5:00 pm
\n<\/strong>Roundtable Discussion
\n<\/strong>\u201cAgents and Agents: Processes, Products, and Inspiration\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>10:30 am – 12:00 noon
\n<\/strong>\u201cWriting Materials as Agents and Agencies\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>\u201cFrom Spring Forward to Autumn Back Again:
\nA Preview of Part 2 on \u201cAgents and Agencies\u201d<\/p>\nDetailed Program<\/h1>\n
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Participants<\/h1>\n
\nMildred Budny<\/strong> (Research Group on Manuscript Evidence)
\nHannah Goeselt<\/strong> (RGME and Massachusetts Historical Society)
\nJustin Hastings<\/strong> (Independent Scholar)
\nAntony Henk<\/strong> (University of Bochum)
\nMichael Ian Hensley<\/strong> (University of Hamburg)
\nEve Kahn<\/strong> (Independent Scholar)
\nMichael Allman Conrad<\/strong> (University of Saint-Gallen)
\nRichard Kopley<\/strong> (Penn State University DuBois Emeritus)
\nLaura Morreale<\/strong> (Independent Scholar)
\nBeppy Landrum Owen <\/strong>(Rollins College)
\nJaclyn Reed<\/strong> (Independent Scholar)
\nAnna Siebach\u2013Larsen<\/strong> (University of Rochester)
\nDavid W. Sorenson<\/strong> (Allen G. Berman, Numismatist)
\nMaro Vandorou<\/strong> (Visual Artist)
\nN. K\u0131v\u0131lc\u0131m Yavuz<\/strong> (University of Leeds)<\/p>\n\n
\nEdgar Allan Poe: A Life<\/a> (University of Virginia Press, 2025)<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>about her projects, from the gleam in the eye to the words gleaming on the page (see her website: Atelier Vandorou<\/a>)<\/li>\n
\n“The Whitby Life of Gregory the Great<\/a>“<\/li>\n
\n\u201cLife After Life: Tales from the Making of the Icones Anatomicae<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n
\nAnna Frances Levins<\/a> (1876-1941)”<\/li>\n
\nThe Many Fates of Medieval Ethiopian and Eritrean Libraries\u201d<\/li>\n
\nThe Crusades Come to Cambridge<\/a><\/li>\n
\nWatermarks in Exotic Destinations and Why They Can Be Unreliable”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nRegistration<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Optional Donation<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Images as Inspiration:
\nAgents and Agencies<\/h1>\nIn the Study, Surrounded by Books<\/h3>\n
I. Evangelist as Scribe<\/h3>\n
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II. Scholar\/Practitioner\/Alchemist as Scribe<\/h3>\n
View 1<\/h3>\n
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View 2<\/h3>\n
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\nhttps:\/\/wellcomecollection.org\/works\/y873ctep\/images?id=wsxqstpc<\/a><\/p>\nThe Series of RGME Symposia<\/h2>\n
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\n“Between Past and Future:
\nBuilding Bridges between Special Collections and Teaching for the Liberal Arts”<\/li>\n
\n“At the Helm: Spotlight on Special Collections as Teaching Events”<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nMore Information<\/h2>\n
2025 RGME Events, with the Theme of “Thresholds and Communities”<\/h2>\n