Presenting Spineless Wonders

Title: Presenting Spineless Wonders
Description: The earliest spineless item in this section is an almanac or calendar from 1491, when printing was new in Europe. Perhaps surprisingly, printers in the 15th century produced ephemeral material like this as well as Bibles and chronicles intended to last.

Pamphlets have a long history of reporting on seditious plots and rebellions. They document trials and confessions while also capturing the anxieties of their readers. Here the 1584 trial of Francis Throckmorton is described. Throckmorton was part of a Catholic plot to depose Elizabeth I in favour of her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.

'The Communist Manifesto' is one of the most famous and reprinted pamphlets. First published in German in 1848, it has been translated into numerous languages with lasting political influence worldwide.

A Discouerie of the Treasons Practised and Attempted Against the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme
From the golden age of English pamphleteering of the late 16th century is this account of Francis Throckmorton’s 1584 trial for treason. Throckmorton was part of a Catholic plot to depose Elizabeth I in favour of her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.
Almanach auf das Jahr 1492 [Deutsch].
Almanacs are compilations of information and data on agricultural, nautical, astronomical, astrological, or other events for the year ahead. With the advent of printing in Europe in the 15th century, they were produced in large numbers as single sheets or pamphlets. They are among the earliest printed "spineless wonders" yet due to their ephemeral nature, few have survived. This almanac was printed in Germany in 1491 for the year 1492, and includes the phases of the moon and guidance on the effects of the stars on health.
Communist Manifesto
This is one of the most famous and reprinted pamphlets. Published in German in 1848, it has been translated into numerous languages with lasting political influence worldwide. Senate House Library’s collections include many editions of the manifesto, from the first English edition, rebound in leather covered boards for preservation, to more humble editions. The copy on display, with simple pink paper wrappers, lists one of the two famous authors as ‘Fred Engels’.