The End of an Era

We have come to the end of our summer internship! The exhibition material is now fully researched, referenced and displayed in the glass cases, accompanied by the recorded audio tape of Jade and my timeline narration. The portfolio of digitised images is available online, the metadata spreadsheet is updated and complete, the exhibition flyers, posters and catalogues are ready for printing, and we have even created six sets of “Top Trumps” using our Victorian animal images. This was done online and is waiting to be ordered. Striking ticks on our “To-Do” list has been very satisfying!

Despite feeling relieved we have completed our workload on schedule and confident that we have done a thorough and dedicated job, I’m quite emotional that it’s all over. I’ve really enjoyed this job; it’s been so interesting researching and learning about all of the periodicals and the significance of the Victorian era for animal welfare and culture. I have such appreciation for the beautiful collection they have here at Aldham Robarts Special Collections and becoming familiarised with the animal images and their illustrators has been my favourite part of the whole experience. This internship has been the perfect step for me finishing university, easing me out of my student bubble whilst equipping me with more skills and work-qualities to enhance my CV for future careers. I’m very grateful that I had this opportunity and I am sad that it’s over and to be officially saying goodbye to Liverpool John Moores.

Please come and see the exhibition Jade and I have curated! It will be available to view on the lower-ground floor of the Aldham Robarts Library on Maryland Street, Liverpool, from the beginning of September right through to December. If you would like to see the images we have digitised from the periodicals, they are available to view on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljmusca

To end my final blog, I would like to include Jade and I’s favourite image of all, “They Grew in Beauty Side by Side”. It comes from The Animal World (1890) and we feel it perfectly sums up the essence of loving animal and human relationships in the Victorian era.

This image encompasses themes of friendship, harmony, love and altruism. The fact that the person is a child incorporates innocence and further advocates the gentle nature of the animals pictured. Although a cat and a dog, the pair are placid in one another’s company. The girl’s fashion hints at the era and so our Victorian theme is symbolised. The act of sharing, and in particular, food and drink, is the epitome of love, friendship, and selflessness. The little trio are quite simply adorable! The image is full of warmth and a joy to admire. I hope it can make you smile as well.

It is now time to say goodbye and thank you to everyone who has read any of my blogs up until now. I hope you’ve enjoyed them 🙂

Bye bye!

Roisin

x