London, Bath and Dublin
I am planning a trip to the UK in June and will have a few days each in London, Bath and Dublin. Other than the “must visits” such as the British Museum. British Library, V&A and Trinity College—can anyone suggest a point of typographic interest that I should seek out?
31.May.2007 2.57pm
too bad the London Transport Museum is closed for renovations.
you might check out the St. Bride Printing Library.
31.May.2007 3.06pm
When in Bath, visit Roman baths. Probably the most popular thing to see in Bath.
31.May.2007 4.02pm
Bath is beautiful and the neo-classical street names carved directly into the buildings are worth the trip alone for a lettering enthusiast. There are also some interesting inscriptions in the Abbey (which also has one of the finest fan vaulted ceiling anywhere). Unfortunately, most of the secondhand bookshops have closed in the past few years, so I don’t find Bath as much fun as I used to.
1.Jun.2007 6.48am
I can suggest a ’pint’ of interest! Mulligans for the best pint of Guinness in Dublin http://www.dublinpubscene.com/thepubs/mulligans.html
and The Long Hall my own personal favorite, mentioned here
http://thedubliner.ie/template.php?ID=132&PageName=whattodo
if you are around in Dublin on the 28th June, there is a showing of Helvetica the movie at the Sugar Club. There is also an exhibition of the Leonardo Codex Leicester at the Chester Beatty library from the 13th June onwards, you have to in advance for this I think.
http://www.cbl.ie/exhibitions/Temporary.aspx?L1Link=36&L2Link=242&Sb=Tem...
and of course you have it on your list already but dont miss the Book of Kells :-)
enjoy
Mike
2.Jun.2007 8.05am
I did have the good fortune to see the Book of Kells years ago, when it visited San Francisco (shortly after the restoration directed by Peter Waters, I think) as part of a large Irish cultural exhibition. I was astonished to see the pages stuck full of punctures from use of the compass. What amazing artists they must have been to create the joyful “dancing X” with drawing instruments. It will be intresting to see it again with eyes several decades older.
We will visit the Long House. My mate loves a good beer, and I intend to give up my customary glass of wine in favor of local beer while in the UK.
3.Jun.2007 3.52am
Unfortunately the Type Museum is closed as well (and the collection might be dispersed).
Walking tours
http://www.typevents.com/index.php?id=81,0,0,1,0,0
One of my favourite museums
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/sir-john-soames-museum.php
And while at the British Museum
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1277/3340.php
When in Bath, a bit of photographic history (stamina and patience is required to cope with Bath in full-on tourist season – you might be grateful to get away(ish) for a while)
http://www.r-cube.co.uk/fox-talbot/
Tim