The Commonplace Book

Woodcuts and pictures from other people’s books, copied out with a caption apiece, as early modern readers kept commonplace books. First gathered on Twitter: #WoodcutWednesday, #NotALion and the manuscripts.

Sixteenth century

When your leisurely stroll with friends turns into an impromptu dance party.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

Mere moments after sending his Tweet, Brian realized it had a typo.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

Closing time. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

When they put you in stocks, but your legs are your best feature.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

More like AtlASS, amirite?

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

Tyler didn’t understand how busking worked.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

SHARE IF YOU AGREE!

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

What is this? A chariot for ants?

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

When you cut your own hair.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

The dissertation process, emblematized.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

Ah! The old proverb, "Don't mock a man's bare feet, when you've horns on your head."

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

"I forgot to add people." -"Just draw a pile of heads behind a mountain." "Done."

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Hey, I just met you, And this is crazy. I wrote some sonnets, So…

Sixteenth century

How reader #2 imagines you will receive his comments.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

What it feels like when your alarm goes off in the morning.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

When that one student corrects you in class based on something they read on Wikipedia.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

When your bae confronts you about your browser history.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

“I said, noli me tangere, motherfucker!”

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

When even Jesus is fed up with your shit.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

When you thought you were alone, but your roommate barges into your bedroom.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

When you want to leave the club, but that one friend wants “one more.”

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

When you're ready to leave the club, but your ride orders another round.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Sixteenth century

When tourists ask you for directions, but you don't know what the hell you're doing.

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)