Just another random guy

Voracious Four-clawed Gecko (Gehyra vorax), family Gekkonidae, Fiji

Rose-bellied Bunting (Passerina rositae), family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes, endemic to a small area of southern Mexico

photographs: Birdquest & Saad Towheed

Orange-breasted Bunting (Passerina leclancherii), family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes, endemic to Mexico

photograph by Greg Lavaty

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), male, family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes

photograph by Robert S. Parker

Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), male, family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes, Eastern U.S.

photograph by David Morgan & Joseph Morlan 

Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor), male, family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes, West TX, USA

photograph by David Hollie

Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena), male, family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes, Idaho, United States

Les Étoiles (“The Stars”) in Ivry-sur-Seine, France, is one of the most iconic examples of post-war experimental housing. Designed by architect Jean Renaudie in the 1970s, the complex rejects the monotony of uniform blocks — instead, it bursts into angular terraces, sharp geometries, and lush rooftop gardens.

Gold earrings with emeralds and pearls, Roman, 1st-3rd century AD

Bedouin burqa from Hejaz, Saudi Arabia; cotton, silver blades, mother-of-pearl button, metal beads (tin), coins, leather.

Wood Engraving Wednesday

ROBERT GIBBINGS

Irish wood engraver and fine press publisher Robert Gibbings (1889-1959) is noted for documenting his various perambulations in words and images. These images are from among 40 wood engravings Gibbings produced for his 1955 publication Trumpets from Montparnasse. We hold both the British (J. M. Dent & Sons) and American (E. P. Dutton & Co.) first editions.

The one-time owner of the Golden Cockerel Press, Gibbings was a voracious traveler and travel writer. Trumpets from Montparnasse was based on his travels in France and Italy, particularly the Île de Ré off the coast of La Rochelle, France, the lagoon city of Venice, Postino south of Naples, and of course Paris and the Montparnasse district itself. The book also includes eight color reproductions of his paintings.

Our British edition is a gift from our late friend Jerry Buff (1931-2025).

View more images from this volume.

View more posts related to Robert Gibbings.

Seven Pendants for Horse Trappings, 15th century. Copper alloy, enamel, gold. Spanish.

Heraldry, or coat-of-arms, were vitally important in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Heraldic emblems were used to identify noble families, cities, regions, and even countries. In addition to being displayed on shields and flags, heraldry was incorporated into architectural decoration on the interior and the exterior of buildings, on furniture, works of art, clothing, and horse equipment. Harness pendants, like this example, would have been attached to a headstall, bridle, or other straps making up the tack of a horse ridden by a nobleman or noblewoman, or a member of their household. Many harness pendants also have decoration that is simply ornamental, or have symbols that are not specifically heraldic in nature.

Unicorn

Book of hours.

Marseille (Angela Schanelec, 2004)