As part of the Library’s reflections on its environmental impact, the staff have been looking at the ecological costs of printing – and its past and potential links with the natural world.

This exhibition includes the world’s first algae-printed book, ink made on-site from Kentish oak galls, and a rare example of Victorian ‘nature printing’.

The book 'The nature-printed British sea-weeds' mounted in a cradle so the pages are open. The left-hand page bears an intaglio print of a whole piece of seaweed in deep pink ink. The image is detailed as it was made from life, by pressing the seaweed into the engraving plate to make an impression, and printing from that. Beneath the main image are details of the different parts of the seeds, leaves, roots, etc. of the plant. These are hand-drawn engravings. The right-hand page is blank.
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The nature-printed British sea-weeds: a history, accompanied by figures and dissections of the Algae of the British Isles

WG Johnstone & A Croall, (London, 1859)

The nature-printed British sea-weeds: a history, accompanied by figures and dissections of the Algae of the British Isles

WG Johnstone & A Croall, (London, 1859)

Detail of the previous illustration, from the book 'The nature-printed British sea-weeds'. In this close-up it is possible to see details of individual leaves overlapping, seed pods attached to the seaweed stems, and details of texture on the stems. The unique engraving process is more visible in close-up: it is clear this is not a handmade engraving, it resembles a pressed and dried plant more closely.

Boulder Guide Book

patagonia, (Boulder, CO, 2019). Printed with algae-ink. With thanks to D&K Printing.

The pamphlet 'Boulder Guide Book' mounted in a cradle so the pages are open. The booklet is almost square-format, and printed on pale beige-yellow paper. The pages are laid out in an infographic style. At the top, printed across both pages, is a long rectangular box with a black header reading: Condensed creature compendium. This lists wildlife from the area under the headings common, moderate, rare, and science willing.
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Origins: a sustainable print production primer

D&K Printing, (Boulder, CO, [n.d.]). With thanks to D&K Printing.

Origins: a sustainable print production primer

D&K Printing, (Boulder, CO, [n.d.]). With thanks to D&K Printing.

Iron oak gall ink with goose quill.

This ink was made on-site in a workshop lead by Sara Charles where students and Library staff tried their hands at making medieval-style iron gall ink and learned about its place in medieval bookmaking and manuscript culture.

Curated by Dr Matthew Shaw, College Librarian

With thanks to D&K Printing.

Explore more of our exhibitions

The book 'The Doors of Perception' lying flat so the cover is face-up. The cover has a blue background, with three large abstract eye designs taking up most of the space. They have geometric designs within the pupils and have red, yellow, green, and orange details so each eye is different. The author and title are at the head and foot of the cover respectively, printed in white.

06 January 2025

Perception: an exhibition

16 December 2024

‘From the author’
Portrait of Sir Joseph Williamson made in oils

13 June 2024

Joseph Williamson and the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade