Folger Theatre and Practical Paleography: Difference between pages

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[[Folger Shakespeare Library]], opened in 1932, featured the first replica in North America of an Elizabethan theater, a 250-seat space  designed to suggest the innyard playing spaces. Founders [[Henry Clay Folger|Henry Clay]] and [[Emily Jordan Folger]] envisioned it as a place for the performance of the plays in Shakespeare’s style, and the first nationally televised broadcast of a Shakespeare play in the US was [[Julius Caesar (disambiguation)|Julius Caesar]] from the Folger stage in 1949. Folger Theatre produces seasons of Shakespeare, other plays from the period of the Folger’s rare collection, and new work, including commissions, inspired by the period, with award-winning stagings of more than 75 percent of Shakespeare’s canon, as well as classical and Restoration work. Folger Theatre has collaborated with the Classical Theatre of Harlem, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Third Rail Projects and other theaters across the country. Folger Theatre is the recipient of 30 [[Helen Hayes Awards]] including four for Outstanding Resident Production for ''[[Sense and Sensibility (2016)|Sense and Sensibility]]'', ''[[The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)|The Taming of the Shrew]]'', ''[[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)|Hamlet]]'', and ''[[Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)|Measure for Measure]]''.
Practical Paleography is an opportunity to learn how to read secretary hand in a completely informal setting. These sessions were originally sponsored by [[EMMO | Early Modern Manuscripts Online]] (EMMO) for staff and researchers at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Each session will focus on transcription and mark-up (i.e. XML encoding) of 16th or 17th century manuscript pages from the Folger collection in [[Dromio: Folger Transcription Platform|Dromio]], the Folger's transcription platform.
[[File:FSL-EMMOLogo-vFinal-2ColorBlue.png|thumb|right|300px]]


Stay up to date with [https://www.facebook.com/FolgerTheatre Folger Theatre on Facebook] or for further information, visit the Folger Theatre blog, [http://spotlight.folger.edu/ The Folger Spotlight]. If you miss a performance, listen to five plays performed by Folger Theatre available as [[Folger Audio Editions]] through Simon & Schuster on audio CD or as a download.
No experience or registration is required, and you can attend as many or as few sessions as you like. Handouts will be provided. Please bring a laptop if possible.  


==About Folger Theatre==
Here's a link to some introductory pages on the early modern alphabet and common abbreviations: [[Media:Alphabet_Abbreviations.pdf | Alphabet Book]].


[[File:2006 Measure for Measure Folger.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Karen Peakes (Isabella), Michele Osherow (Mariana), Ian Merrill Peakes (Angelo), ''Measure for Measure'', directed by Aaron Posner, Folger Theatre, 2006. Carol Pratt.]]
Questions about Dromio? Check out [[Dromio Frequently Asked Questions]] to see if your question is covered there.


Led since 1991 by Artistic Producer Janet Alexander Griffin, Folger Theatre has staged more than half of the plays in Shakespeare’s [[First Folio]].
Also see resources developed by EMMO partners for using Dromio during transcribathons:
Highlights from Folger Theatre’s producing history include numerous [[Helen Hayes Awards]] nominations and wins. Nominees for outstanding resident play: [[Sense and Sensibility (2016)]]: recipient, [[The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Taming of the Shrew'' (Folger Theatre, 2012)]]: recipient, [[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Hamlet'' (Folger Theatre, 2010)]]: recipient, [[Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Henry VIII'' (Folger Theatre, 2010)]], [[Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Arcadia'' (Folger Theatre, 2009)]] [[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''Macbeth'' (Folger Theatre, 2008)]], [[Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''Measure for Measure'' (Folger Theatre, 2006)]]: recipient, [[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' (Folger Theatre, 2004)]], [[Melissa Arctic (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''Melissa Arctic'' (Folger Theatre, 2004)]], [[She Stoops to Conquer (Folger Theatre, 2002)|''She Stoops to Conquer'' (Folger Theatre, 2002)]], [[Shakespeare's R & J (Folger Theatre, 2000)|''Shakespeare’s R & J'' (Folger Theatre, 2000)]], [[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Much Ado About Nothing'' (Folger Theatre, 1998)]], and [[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)|''Romeo and Juliet'' (Folger Theatre, 1997)]].


In collaboration, Folger Theatre produced with The Classical Theatre of Harlem a sell-out [[King Lear (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''King Lear'' (Folger Theatre, 2007)]] starring André DeShields,  with Two River Theater Company staged two productions—a magical [[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''Macbeth'' (Folger Theatre, 2008)]] co-directed by Teller and Aaron Posner and the world premiere of Anne Washburn’s adaptation ''[[Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)|Orestes, A Tragic Romp]]''[[Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)| (Folger Theatre, 2010)]]— and with Fiasco Theatre produced [[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Fiasco Theater, 2014)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' (Fiasco Theater, 2014)]]. Folger Theatre has also partnered with Shakespeare's Globe, London to mount productions of [[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)|''Hamlet'' (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)]], [[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|''Hamlet'' (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)]], and ''[[King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|King Lear]]''[[King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)| (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)]].
[https://emroc.hypotheses.org/transcribathons/transcribathon-instructions-glossaries-and-more/dromio-a-primer EMROC's guide to using Dromio]


[[Exhibitions at the Folger]] inspire memorable productions like David Garrick’s [[The Clandestine Marriage (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''The Clandestine Marriage'' (Folger Theatre, 2005)]], Maxwell Anderson’s [[Elizabeth the Queen (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''Elizabeth the Queen'' (Folger Theatre, 2003)]] which starred Michael Learned, and [[Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Henry VIII'' (Folger Theatre, 2010)]]. Cross-disciplinary projects with [[Folger Consort]]—such as [[The Second Shepherds' Play: A Medieval Mystery for the Yuletide Season (2007)|''The Second Shepherds' Play: A Medieval Mystery for the Yuletide Season'' (2007, 2016)]], [[Brave New World: Music of the Tempest (2014)|''Brave New World: Music of the Tempest'' (2014)]], [[Measure+Dido (2016)|''Measure+Dido'' (2016)]], and Purcell’s [[The Fairy Queen (2007)|''The Fairy Queen'' (2007)]] with Sir Derek Jacobi, Richard Clifford, and Lynn Redgrave—take advantage of the Folger’s unique resources. Folger Theatre not only produces Shakespeare’s classics but is also a stage for new plays, including Theresa Rebeck ''The Way of the World'',  ''[[Texts&beheadings/ElizabethR|Texts&beheadings/ElizabethR]]'', the Reduced Shakespeare Company's ''[[William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged)]]'', Roger Rees’ [[What You Will: By and About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''What You Will: By and About the Bard'' (Folger Theatre, 2007)]] and Lynn Redgrave’s [[Reminiscences of the Redgrave Family on the Shakespearean Stage (Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991)|''Shakespeare for My Father'' (Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991)]] and [[Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave'' (Folger Theatre, 2009)]].
[https://empop.hypotheses.org/transcribathon EMPOP's guide to using Dromio]


For more information about the Folger Theatre's performance space, read our article on the Folger's [[Elizabethan Theatre]].


===About the Artistic Producer===
Some transcriptions from Practical Paleography will appear on  [http://emmo.folger.edu/ EMMO].
====Janet Alexander Griffin====
As Director of Public Programs, Griffin has established Folger Theatre as a home for creative, contemporary approaches to classic theater. She has produced more than 30 seasons of theater, including the majority of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the work of many other playwrights; more than 1000 concerts of early music; and a like number of other cultural events. Her leadership of Folger Theatre has seen the theater recognized with 159 nominations and 30 awards for excellence from Washington’s [[Helen Hayes Awards]]. These include four awards for Outstanding Resident Production, for [[Sense and Sensibility (2016)|Sense and Sensibility]] in 2017. Bard Records, created by Griffin, has released 23 titles of music by Folger Consort and others, and Folger Theatre has seven fully dramatized Shakespeare audio books available through Simon and Schuster. Projects commissioned or developed include Lynn Redgrave’s [[Shakespeare for My Father: A Staged Reading by Kathleen Chafant (2013)|Shakespeare for My Father]] and [[Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave (Folger Theatre, 2009)|Rachel and Juliet]]; [[Measure+Dido (2016)|Measure+Dido]], [[The Fairy Queen (2007)|The Fairy Queen]] and other presentations of Baroque music and Shakespeare with Derek Jacobi, Richard Clifford, and other celebrated artists; Roger Rees’ [[What You Will: By and About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 2007)|What You Will]]; [[The Second Shepherds' Play (2016)|The Second Shepherds’ Play]] adapted by Mary Hall Surface; Aaron Posner’s [[District Merchants]]; Caroline Shaw’s The Tempest; Robert Richmond’s The Gravedigger’s Tale with Louis Butelli; and Confection with Third Rail Projects. She was the first to bring to Washington a Shakespeare’s Globe production and to take Folger programming to London’s Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe, as well as other venues in Washington, New York, and California. Other Folger programs stewarded by Griffin are the [[O.B. Hardison Poetry Series|O.B. Hardison Poetry series]]; screenings from the Royal Shakespeare Company; and lectures and readings by theater professionals, early modern scholars, and contemporary literary figures.


===Affiliations===
See below for manuscript details about individual sessions and transcriptions.  
Folger Theatre employs members of [http://www.actorsequity.org/ Actors' Equity Association], the [http://sdcweb.org/ Stage Directors and Choreographers Society], and [https://www.usa829.org/ United Scenic Artists]. It is a member of [https://bluestarfam.org/resources/family-life/blue-star-theatres/ Blue Star Theatres], [http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/ Cultural Tourism DC],  [http://culturecapital.com/ CulturalCapital], [http://theatrewashington.org/ theatreWashington], [http://www.tcg.org/ Theatre Communications Group], and [http://www.stahome.org/ Shakespeare Theatre Association].


==2021 Season==
__NOTOC__
Visit the [http://www.folger.edu/box-office Folger Box Office] to order your tickets for the [https://www.folger.edu/subscribe-theatre 2021 season].


*[https://www.folger.edu/events/midsummer-nights-dream-2020 A Midsummer Night's Dream] July 13 – August 29, 2021
===Practical Paleography COVID Series===
*''[https://www.folger.edu/events/nathan-the-wise Nathan The Wise]''  in association with [https://theaterj.org/ Theater J]
*''[https://www.folger.edu/events/tempest-2020 The Tempest]'' in collaboration with [https://www.roundhousetheatre.org/ Round House Theatre]


==Past seasons==
Updated May 11, 2021: Well, we are still going strong! We now meet on Thursdays at 1pm. Please contact Heather Wolfe for the Zoom invitation. We are currently divided into two breakout rooms: one group works on a mystery manuscript each week, and another group is working on John Ward's diary, V.a.294. A beginner Tuesday morning group may begin in June, but beginners are always welcome at Practical Paleography as well. Let Heather Wolfe know if you are interested in the Tuesday group.


===2020s===
Updated June 2, 2020: Practical Paleography Series Seven has extended well beyond its typical six session format, and we have decided to continue meeting at the same time/same Zoom indefinitely. We meet every Tuesday at 2pm to review manuscript "homework" transcriptions and/or learn new concepts. Please contact Heather Wolfe for the Zoom invitation. The group is about 15 people right now and is at the intermediate level, and welcomes new participants. If there is interest in a beginner group, open to anyone, please reach out to Heather Wolfe.


*''[[The Merry Wives of Windsor (2020)|The Merry Wives of Windsor]]'' January - March, 2020
===Practical Paleography Series Seven===


===2010s===
Update: After session 1 on March 10 we are going virtual! Next meeting will be March 24 via Zoom. We will meet <s>in the Foulke Room in 301</s> from 2 to 3pm, for six weekly sessions: March 10, <s>17</s>, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 2020. These sessions are open to all! <s>Folger staff and Folger docents</s>. Please contact Heather Wolfe for the Zoom invitation.


*''[[Amadeus (2019)|Amadeus]]''  November - December, 2019
March 10: transcriptions of [https://emmo.folger.edu/view/Ld18/semidiplomatic L.d.18] and [https://emmo.folger.edu/view/La164/semidiplomatic L.a.164] from emmo.folger.edu.
*''[[1 Henry IV (2019)|1 Henry IV]]''  September - October, 2019
*''[[Love's Labor's Lost (2019)|Love's Labor's Lost]]''  April - June, 2019


*''[[Confection (2019)|Confection]]''  March, 2019
March 17: week off


*''[[Nell Gwynn (2019)|Nell Gwynn]]''  January - March, 2019
March 24: transcription of [https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/dv5o79 V.a.140, fol. 28r]


*''[[King John (2018)|King John]]''  October - December, 2018
March 31: [https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/917h79 X.c.62] and [[media: X.c.62 worksheet.pdf|worksheet]]; [[media: Z.e.40.123.pdf|Wills]] (transcriptions to be added after class)


*''[[Davenant's Macbeth (2018)|Davenant's Macbeth]]'' September, 2018
April 7: Dromio tutorial (transcribe.folger.edu); introduction to Joscelyn font developed by Prof. Peter Baker, University of Virginia


*[[Saint Joan (2018)|''Saint Joan'']]  May - June, 2018
===Practical Paleography Series Six===


*[[The Winters Tale (2018)|''The Winters Tale'']]  March - April, 2018
We will meet in the Board Room from 2:30 to 3:30 on October 8, 15, 22, 29, and November 5, 2019. On November 5, we will be participating in an EMROC transcribathon of Folger MS V.b.400. The transcribathon starts at 10am, so feel free to spend the whole day with us!


*[[The Way of the World (2018)|''The Way of the World'']] January - February, 2018


*[[Antony and Cleopatra (2017)|''Antony and Cleopatra'']] October - November, 2017
===Practical Paleography Series Five===


*''[[Timon of Athens (2017)|Timon of Athens]]'' May - June, 2017
We will meet in the Board Room from 3:30 to 4:30 on the following dates: Oct 2, 16, 30 2018; Nov 13, 27 2018; Jan 29 2019; Feb 12 2019; March 12, 26 2019, April 9, 23 2019.


*''[[As You Like It (2017)|As You Like It]]'' January - March, 2017
===Oct 2 2018===


*''[[Sense and Sensibility (2016)|Sense and Sensibility]]'' September - October, 2016
Series Five will include ten sessions led by Dr. Heather Wolfe, Curator of Manuscripts.  An introduction to minuscule and majuscule letters of the early modern alphabet will be followed by an opportunity to identify their usage in a manuscript.


*[[District Merchants |''District Merchants'']] May - July, 2016
===Oct 16 2018===


*[[William_Shakespeare%27s_Long_Lost_First_Play_(abridged)| ''William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (Abridged)'']]  April - May, 2016
After a review of the early modern alphabet, Dr. Wolfe will lead the group in reading a letter by Sir Charles Cornwallis (1621) with attention on abbreviations and brevegraphs.


*[[A_Midsummer_Night%27s_Dream_(Folger_Theatre,_2016) | ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] January - March, 2016
:L.d.242 - [https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/view/search;JSESSIONID=3b7fd0c4-fda2-4696-880d-266f42470e8d?search=SUBMIT&q=L.d.242&dateRangeStart=&dateRangeEnd=&QuickSearchA=QuickSearchA Letter from Sir Charles Cornwallis to Roger Townshend, 1st bart]


*[[Pericles_(Folger_Theatre,_2015) | ''Pericles'']] November - December, 2015
===Oct 30 2018===


*[[Texts%26beheadings/ElizabethR|''texts&beheadings/ElizabethR'']]  (Compagnia de'Colombari) September - October, 2015
During session three the group will set up their accounts on Dromio, the transcription program. Dr. Wolfe will cover review the meanings of the tags used in transcribing these manuscripts and the group will read the death certificate of Edwin Rich from 1648. Dr. Wolfe will use this certificate to discuss how early modern documents were addressed.


*[[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (2015)|''Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead'']] May - June, 2015
:X.d.451 p. 6-7 - [https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/view/search?showAll=where&q=X.d.451 <nowiki>Certifies Edwin Rich died 25 Feb 1639 [i.e. 1640]. Signed by the mayor of Hartlepool, Durham.</nowiki>]


*[[Mary Stuart (2015)|''Mary Stuart'']] January - March, 2015
===Nov 13 2018===


*[[Julius Caesar (Folger Theatre, 2014)|''Julius Caesar'']] October - December, 2014
Dr. Jack Bouchard, Folger Institute Postdoctoral Fellow, will lead the group in a reading of an early modern recipe for gingerbread. This will provide an excellent opportunity for paleographers to become acquainted with the upcoming exhibit, First Chefs.


*[[King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|''King Lear'']] (Shakespeare's Globe) September 5-21, 2014
===Nov 27 2018===


*[[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)|''Hamlet'']] (Shakespeare's Globe) July 25-26, 2014
===Jan 29 2019===
Session postponed due to snow.


*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream: In Concert (2014)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream: In Concert'']]  May - June, 2014
===Feb 12 2019===


*[[Cymbeline (Fiasco Theater, 2014)|''Cymbeline'']] (Fiasco Theater) May - June, 2014
Dr. [[Owen Williams]], Associate Director of Scholarly Programs will further celebration of the First Chefs exhibit by transcribing a recipe from a 1690 pharmaceutical and recipes for seasonal soups from a book divided into two parts with part II being inverted and reversed.


*[[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Fiasco Theater, 2014)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'']] (Fiasco Theater) April - May, 2014
:V.b.286 p. 56-57 - [https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/detail/FOLGERCM1~6~6~1206265~201992:Pharmaceutical-recipes--manuscript-?qvq=q:V.b.286&mi=145&trs=194 <nowiki>Pharmaceutical recipes [manuscript].</nowiki>]
:V.a.612 - [https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/view/search?search=SUBMIT&q=V.a.612&dateRangeStart=&dateRangeEnd=&QuickSearchA=QuickSearchA <nowiki>Manuscript cookery book containing more the four hundred and fifty recipes. [manuscript]</nowiki>]


*[[Richard III (Folger Theatre, 2014)|''Richard III'']] January - March, 2014
===Practical Paleography Series Four===


*[[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] October - December, 2013
===Oct 25 2016===
The first of ten sessions in the fourth series of Practical Paleography. Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe & EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will be on hand to lead the group in transcribing a bargain and sale (L.b.356) from the Loseley Collection, specifically one involving the sale of seven upper rooms to James Burbage. These rooms would become the famous Blackfriars Theatre. The session will start with Dr Heather Wolfe introducing the early modern alphabet.
:L.b.356 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=244741 More, Sir William. Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage] &rArr;[[ Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage L.b.356 | Transcription]]


*[[Robben Island Bible (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Robben Island Bible'']] June 3, 2013
===Nov 8 2016===
Dr Heather Wolfe will give a brief review of the early modern alphabet and common abbreviations. In the first half of the session the group will transcribe more from L.b.356 (see October 25th session). In the second half of the hour Dr Hillary Nunn will give a short introduction to Lady Grace Castleton's booke of receipts from which the PracPaleo group will transcribe a seventeenth-century recipe for chocolate cream! EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will transcribe & tag this transcription on site using Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool.  This special session will serve as a preparation for the [http://emroc.hypotheses.org// Early Modern Recipes Online Collective (EMROC)] "transcribathon" at the Folger on Wednesday, November 9th.


*[[Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Twelfth Night'']] April - June, 2013
===Nov 22 2016===
In the third session of Practical Paleography we will transcribe L.a.190, from the Papers of the Bagot Family collection.  The group will practice writing their own early modern alphabets by copying letters from the manuscript. Dr Heather Wolfe will also explain early modern letter folding. All are welcome.
:L.a.190 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 To Richard Bagot, Langley]&rArr;[[ To Richard Bagot, Langley L.a.190| Transcription]]


*[[Henry V (Folger Theatre, 2013)|''Henry V'']] January - March, 2013
===Dec 6 2016===
This special session of Practical Paleography will be a "Paleography Pub Night" from 5.00 - 7.00pm in the Foulke Conference Room, in tandem with the Folger Institute's  [http://www.folger.edu/2016-2017-institute-scholarly-programs#Introduction-to-English-Paleography Introduction to English Paleography] lead by Dr Heather Wolfe.  We will look at wine & ale recipes over pizza & beer! EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will be on hand to transcribe these transcriptions in Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool.


*[[The Conference of the Birds (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Conference of the Birds'']] October - November, 2012
===Dec 20 2016===
In the fifth session of Practical Paleography Dr Meaghan Brown, Dr Lizzie Williamson, Dr Owen Williams and Dr Heather Wolfe will lead the group in transcribing a page of J.b.3, the Women's Prize. We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool.


*[[Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)|''Hamlet'']] (Shakespeare's Globe) September 8-22, 2012
===Jan 17 2017===
In the sixth session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe & EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will be on hand to lead the group in transcribing a letter from V.b.333, Papers of the Goodricke family of Ribston Hall, Nidderdale, Yorkshire.


*[[The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Taming of the Shrew'']] May - June, 2012
===Jan 31 2017===
In the seventh session of Practical Paleography EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will lead the group in a transcription of a warrant from V.b.333, Papers of the Goodricke family of Ribston Hall, Nidderdale, Yorkshire. We will also further explore Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool.
:V.b.333 (20) - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=232776 Warrant from Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington, to Sir Henry Goodricke]&rArr;[[ Warrant from Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington, to Sir Henry Goodricke V.b.333 (20)| Transcription]]


*[[The Gaming Table (Folger Theatre, 2012)|''The Gaming Table'']] January - March, 2012
===Feb 14 2017===
In the eighth session of Practical Paleography EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell and Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe will lead the group in a transcription of L.a.97, a letter from Walter Bagot to Richard Bagot describing a ' very strange wedding'. We will also go over the homework from last time; a letter from V.b.333 (34), the Papers of the Goodricke Family, Nidderdale Yorkshire. We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool, to collate these transcriptions.
:L.a.97 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 Letter from Walter Bagot, London, to Richard Bagot]&rArr;[[Letter from Walter Bagot, London, to Richard Bagot  L.a.97| Transcription]]


*[[Othello (Folger Theatre, 2011)|''Othello'']] October - December, 2011
===Feb 28 2017===
In the ninth session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe will lead the group in a transcription of L.a.857, a letter from Sir Thomas Skrymsher to Walter Bagot. In it he protests a privy seal for 10 that was left for him at Aqualate, since he now lies at Shrewsbury and has a privy seal for Salop (Shropshire), which he will pay.  We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool, to collate these transcriptions.
:L.a.857 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 Letter from Sir Thomas Skrymsher, Aqualate to Walter Bagot, circa 1610 March 23]&rArr;[[Letter from Sir Thomas Skrymsher, Aqualate to Walter Bagot  L.a.857| Transcription]]


*[[Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)|''Cyrano'']] April - June, 2011
===March 14 2017===
Session postponed due to snow.


*[[The Comedy of Errors (Folger Theatre, 2011)|''The Comedy of Errors'']] January - March, 2011
===March 21 2017===
In the tenth session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe will look at the use of numbers in early modern manuscripts. The session will also go over the homework from last time; L.a.990.
:L.a.990 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 Letter from Thomas Worswick, Stafford, to Walter Bagot?] &rArr;[[Letter from Thomas Worswick, Stafford to Walter Bagot  L.a.990| Transcription]]


*[[Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Henry VIII'']] October - November, 2010
===April 4 2017===
In this extra session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe & EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will help the group pick a manuscript to continue working on remotely. These transcriptions will be added to the EMMO corpus in due course (available on emmo.folger.edu).
*Please note this will take place in Deck A meeting room.
:L.a.894 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 Letter from William Thomson to Thomas Beardmore] &rArr;[[Letter from William Thomson to Thomas Beardmore L.a.894| Transcription]]


*[[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Hamlet'']] April - June, 2010
===Practical Paleography Series Three===
===Oct 20 2015===
The first of ten sessions in the third series of Practical Paleography. A brief explanation of secretary hand and Dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool. Then a look at V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. People will be encouraged to participate remotely and the manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.
:V.a.307 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=229441 Poetical and Prose Miscellany]&rArr;[[Poetical and Prose Miscellany ca.1580-1800 V.a.307 | Transcription]]


*[[Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)|''Orestes, A Tragic Romp'']] January - March, 2010
===Nov 3 2015===
A further look at V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. We will transcribe 29v and 31 in the session. People will be encouraged to participate remotely to transcribe the subsequent pages. The manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.
:V.a.307 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=229441 Poetical and Prose Miscellany]&rArr;[[Poetical and Prose Miscellany ca.1580-1800 V.a.307 | Transcription]]
===Nov 17 2015===
Continuing with our target to transcribe V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. We will transcribe 30 and 29 in the session.  People will be encouraged to participate remotely to transcribe the subsequent pages. The manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.
:V.a.307 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=229441 Poetical and Prose Miscellany]&rArr;[[Poetical and Prose Miscellany ca.1580-1800 V.a.307 | Transcription]]


===2000s===
===Dec 1 2015===
A further look at V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. We will transcribe 86 in the session. People will be encouraged to participate remotely to transcribe the subsequent pages. The manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.
:V.a.307 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=229441 Poetical and Prose Miscellany]&rArr;[[Poetical and Prose Miscellany ca.1580-1800 V.a.307 | Transcription]]


*[[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Much Ado About Nothing'']] October - November, 2009
===Dec 15 2015===
A special Practical Paleography evening session today: 'Transcription Night 2' will take place at the Big Board, H street, DC. From 5.30pm - 7.30pm we will be transcribing selections from different manuscripts with pitchers of beer as prizes! Come join us!


*[[Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Arcadia'']] May - June, 2009
===Jan 12 2016===
We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation too to transcribe part of X.d.428 in the session. People are encouraged to participate remotely, if they wish.
:X.d.428 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=244373 To Lady Elizabeth, later Countess of Shrewsbury]


*[[Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave (Folger Theatre, 2009)|''Rachel and Juliet: An Evening with Lynn Redgrave'']] April 10-12, 2009
===Jan 26 2016===
Session did not take place. The Folger was closed due to a winter storm.


*[[The Winter's Tale (Folger Theatre, 2009)| ''The Winter's Tale'']] January - March, 2009
===Feb 9 2016===
We will transcribe one page  in V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany, and a section of an early modern newsletter. Newcomers are welcome and no registration is required.


*[[1 Henry IV (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''1 Henry IV'']] October - November, 2008
:V.a.307 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=229441 Poetical and Prose Miscellany]&rArr;[[Poetical and Prose Miscellany ca.1580-1800 V.a.307 | Transcription]]


*[[The School for Scandal (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''The School for Scandal'']] May - June, 2008
===Feb 23 2016===
We will transcribe and tag some mid-seventeenth-century letters in this session as part of a special request by Dr. Patrick Tuite of the Department of Drama at Catholic University of America. Dr. Tuite supplied the images and will be joining us for the session. He is working on letters by Arthur Bennet (Earl of Arlington) and Captain Bartlett (who ran the packets sent between Dublin and Holyhead) for an upcoming paper.


*[[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)|''Macbeth'']] February - April, 2008
===Mar 8 2016===
We will transcribe and tag a mid-seventeenth-century letter in this session as part of a special request by Dr. Patrick Tuite of the Department of Drama at Catholic University of America. Dr. Tuite supplied the image and will be joining us for the session. He is working on letters by Arthur Bennet (Earl of Arlington) and Captain Bartlett (who ran the packets sent between Dublin and Holyhead) for an upcoming paper.
In addition we will transcribe one page  in V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany, and a section of an early modern newsletter. Newcomers are welcome and no registration is required.


*[[As You Like It (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''As You Like It'']] October - November, 2007
:V.a.307 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=229441 Poetical and Prose Miscellany]&rArr;[[Poetical and Prose Miscellany ca.1580-1800 V.a.307 | Transcription]]
===Practical Paleography Series Two===
===May 5 2015===
The first of ten sessions in the second series of Practical Paleography running through summer 2015. A brief explanation of secretary hand, minuscule and majuscule letter forms and some common abbreviations (eg. ''which, with, you, your, the, that''). Then a look at two interesting family letters, one from the Papers of the Bagot family and the other from the Bacon-Townshend collection.
:L.a.161 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 Bagot Family Papers] &rArr; [[Letter from Walter Bagot to an unnamed worthy knight ca.1620 L.a.161 | Transcription]]
:L.d.18 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=110545 Bacon-Townshend Collection] &rArr; [[Letter from Anne (Gresham) Bacon to Lady Anne Gresham, in Nathaniel Bacon's hand, 1572/3  L.d.18 | Transcription]]


*[[The Tempest (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''The Tempest'']] May - June, 2007
===May 19 2015===
A recap of how to use dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool, including a brief overview of its tag set. Then an opportunity to transcribe L.a.63, a letter from Walter Bagot's eldest son Lewis to his father. Lewis is writing from commons [at one of the Inns of Court]. He mentions ''The Kynnersley-Trew case'', being followed hard by Sir Walter Chetwynd and Mr. Wolseley (Wouslye). <br>
:L.a.63 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 Bagot Family Papers] &rArr; [[Letter from Lewis Bagot to Walter Bagot, November 10, 1604 L.a.63 | Transcription]]<br>


*[[What You Will: By and About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''What You Will: By and About the Bard'']] March - April, 2007
===June 2 2015===
An examination of numbers, both Arabic and Roman. Also covered will be days, dates and Regnal years (including how to modernize dates), with worksheets providing examples.


*[[365 Days / 365 Plays: Suzan-Lori Parks Project (2007)|''365 Days / 365 Plays'': Suzan-Lori Parks Project]]
===June 16 2015===
A look at a probate copy of the will of Edward Grant dated April 25th, St Mark's day, 1601. After declaring himself sound in mind and perfect in memory Grant goes on to bequeath a house lease, goods and money to his wife and children. He leaves money to the poor of Toppsfield and Barnet and a copy of Ortelius' book of maps to Westminster's College Library. Not forgetting his friends, he leaves a little silver cup to his affectionate friend Mr Samuel Haslewood.


*[[King Lear (Folger Theatre, 2007)|''King Lear'']] January - February, 2007
:Z.e.40 (4) – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgiv1=1&hd=1,1&CallBrowse=17&SEQ=20150618132141&PID=TV3RgPdGZjvkbRzfdmPpziGzn7XmY&SID=1 Probate copy of Edward Grant's will] &rArr; [[The will of Edward Grant, 1601 Z.e.40 (4) | Transcription]]<br>


*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] October - November, 2006
===June 30 2015===
Latin Part I: A look at some Latin snippets found in the Folger's manuscript collection. EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will lead the group in transcribing and translating Latin found in early modern manuscripts, copied from Virgil's Aeneid & Eclogues and Ovid's Metamorphoses, Tristia & Heroides.


*[[The Game of Love and Chance (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''The Game of Love and Chance'']] April - May, 2006
===July 14 2015===
Latin Part II: A further look at Latin taken from the Folger's manuscript collection. EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will lead the group in transcribing and translating Latin, including Latin snippets from the Macro Plays: Castle of Perseverance [ca.1440], Henry Oxinden's miscellany [ca.1642-1670], Letter from John Parker at Dublin Castle to Thadeus O'Carroll [1548], Letter from Harvey Bagot at Oxford to his father Walter Bagot [1609], The Smith family miscellany [ca.1620-1655] and annotations by Gabriel Harvey in Facetie, motti, et burle di diversi signori et persone privat [1580-1608]. There will also be an opportunity to use dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool, to transcribe and tag a Latin excerpt from V.b.26, Book of magic, [ca.1577-1583].


*[[Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)|''Measure for Measure'']] January - February, 2006
:V.b.26 -[http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=228887 The Book of magic V.b.26] &rArr; [[The Book of magic, ca.1577-1583 V.b.26, page 51  | Transcription]]<br>


*[[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''Much Ado About Nothing'']] October - November, 2005
===July 28 2015===
An opportunity to transcribe an interesting page written in English secretary hand from the Diaries of Richard Stonley, 1581-1598, including Latin citations from Book 3 of Cato's distichs on the need to balance work with pleasure. There will be a further opportunity to compare these transcriptions at the end of the session, using dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool.


*[[The Clandestine Marriage (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''The Clandestine Marriage'']] April - May, 2005
:V.b.460 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=231286 Diaries of Richard Stonley V.a.460] &rArr; [[Diaries of Richard Stonley, ca.1581-1598 V.a.460, 4v-5r | Transcription]]<br>


*[[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2005)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] January - February, 2005
===August 11 2015===
A look at drama in manuscript form, using the seventeenth-century play The Inconstant Lady. Transcriptions will be collated and compared at the end of the session.   
:J.b.1- [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=231451 The Inconstant Lady J.b.1] &rArr;[[The Inconstant Lady ca.1630 J.b.1 2v-3r | Transcription]]<br>


*[[The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'']] November - December, 2004
===August 26 2015===
An opportunity to transcribe two pages from the Commonplace book of Matthew Day ca.1650 using Dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool. Transcriptions will also vetted in the latter part of the session.
:V.a.160-[http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=229438 The Commonplace book of Matthew Day V.a.160]&rArr;[[The Commonplace book of Matthew Day ca.1650 V.a.160 pages 2, 3, 4 and 5 | Transcription]]<br>


*[[The Comedy of Errors (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''The Comedy of Errors'']] April - May, 2004
===September 8 2015===
A look at a page on Italy and the Medicis of Florence, taken from Edmund Tilney's Topographical Descriptions, Regiments and Policies.  Transcriptions will be collated at the end of the session to produce a final version, using dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool.
:V.b.182 -[http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=234864 Topographical Descriptions, Regiments and Policies by Edmund Tilney V.b.182]&rArr; [[Topographical Descriptions, Regiments and Policies by Edmund Tilney 25r  | Transcription]]<br>
===Practical Paleography Series One===
===Nov. 18 2014===
Brief introduction to secretary hand and common abbreviations.  Intriguing recipes from the following manuscript collections:
:V.a.430 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=231288/ Cookery and medicinal recipes of the Granville family] &rArr; [[Cookery and medicinal recipes of the Granville family, ca. 1640 – ca. 1750 V.a.430 | Transcriptions]]
:V.b.301 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=226676/ Cookbook of Grace Blome] &rArr; [[Cookbook of Grace Blome, 1697 V.b.301 | Transcriptions]]


*[[Melissa Arctic (Folger Theatre, 2004)|''Melissa Arctic'']] January - February, 2004
===Dec. 2 2014===
Quick review of alphabet then a look at some interesting letters from the following manuscript:<br />
:X.c.61 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=128832 Papers of the Rattray family of Craighall] &rArr; [[Papers of the Rattray family of Craighall, 1593–1699 X.c.61 | Transcriptions]]<br />
:X.c.61 (119) –  Letter from John Ogilvy of Balfour to James Rattray of Craighall, 1674 September 9 &rArr; [http://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Papers_of_the_Rattray_family_of_Craighall,_1593-1699_X.c.61#119:_Letter_from_John_Ogilvy_of_Balfour_to_James_Rattray_of_Craighall.2C_.E2.80.A6_1674_September_9 Transcription]
:X.c.61 (137) – Letter from John Ogilvy of Balfour to James Rattray of Craighall 1677 April &rArr;[http://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Papers_of_the_Rattray_family_of_Craighall,_1593-1699_X.c.61#137:_Letter_from_John_Ogilvy_of_Balfour_to_James_Rattray_of_Craighall_1677_April Transcription]


*[[All's Well That Ends Well (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''All's Well That Ends Well'']] October - November, 2003
===Dec. 16 2015===
Further examination of secretary hand and review of alphabet before working with a volume of a poetical miscellany:
:V.a.245 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=220253 Poetical miscellany (manuscript)]&rArr; [[Poetical miscellany circa 1640 V.a.245 | Transcriptions]]


*[[Elizabeth the Queen (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''Elizabeth the Queen'']] March - May, 2003
===Dec. 30 2015===
A very brief review of the alphabet and some of the common abbreviations used in secretary hand and then a look at two letters with seasonal references from the [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230544 Papers of the Bagot Family]&rArr; [[Papers of the Bagot family of Blithfield, Staffordshire, 1428-1671 (bulk 1557-1671) L.a.1-1076 | Transcriptions]]
:L.a.156 – Letter from Walter Bagot to an unnamed knight &rArr; [http://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Papers_of_the_Bagot_family_of_Blithfield,_Staffordshire,_1428-1671_(bulk_1557-1671)_L.a.1-1076#156:_Letter_from_Walter_Bagot_to_an_unnamed_knight Transcription]
:L.a.176 –  Letter from William Bagot (Walter's son), Oxford, to Walter Bagot, 1619 November 7 &rArr; [http://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Papers_of_the_Bagot_family_of_Blithfield,_Staffordshire,_1428-1671_(bulk_1557-1671)_L.a.1-1076#176:_Letter_from_William_Bagot_.28Walter.27s_son.29.2C_Oxford.2C_to_Walter_Bagot.2C_1619_November_7 Transcription]


*[[Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2003)|''Twelfth Night'']] January - February, 2003
===Jan. 13 2015===
Introduction to Dromio, the Folger's online transcription/collation tool, and semi-diplomatic conventions and then a chance to practice both transcribing and encoding secretary hand with some poetry from a volume of poetical miscellany : <br>
:V.a.245 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=220253 Poetical miscellany (manuscript)]&rArr; [[Poetical miscellany circa 1640 V.a.245 | Transcriptions]]


*[[Love's Labor's Lost (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 2002)|''Love's Labor's Lost'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) November - December, 2002
===Jan. 27 2015===
A quick refresher on the use of Dromio and conventions of semi-diplomatic transcription, and then practice transcribing a mixed secretary/italic hand with a newsletter about some maritime matters:
:L.c.2102 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=245155 Newdigate family collection of newsletters] &rArr; [[Newdigate family collection of newsletters | Transcriptions]]


*[[Othello (Folger Theatre, 2002)|''Othello'']] May - June, 2002
===Feb. 10 2015===
An introduction into the way numbers were written in manuscripts of the time, and then an opportunity to transcribe some interesting lists of items (with numbers) in :
:V.b.147 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=230576 Inventories of the Townshend family] &rArr; [[Inventories of the Townshend family | Transcriptions]]


*[[She Stoops to Conquer (Folger Theatre, 2002)|''She Stoops to Conquer'']] February - March, 2002
===Feb. 24 2015===
An educational experience with quill pens, iron gall ink, and rag paper followed by a turn at transcribing an early modern recipe for black ink.<br>
:V.a.159 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=228015 A Miscellany] (sometimes known as Giles Lodge's Lute-Book)&rArr; [[Giles Lodges Lute Book | Transcriptions]]


*[[Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2001)|''Macbeth'']] October - December, 2001
===Mar. 10===
A quick review of numbers and then a more specific look at how numbers are used in references to money in early modern manuscripts. Several examples of amounts will be shown in snippets from the Bacon-Townshend collection, then a transcription of a bill/receipt to Lady Stanhope. <br>
:L.d.101–775 – [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=110545 Bacon-Townshend collection] &rArr; [[Bacon Townshend collection 'To Lady Jane Stanhope (Townshend) | Transcription]]


*[[As You Like It (Folger Theatre, 2001)|''As You Like It'']] May - June, 2001
===Mar. 24 2015===
 
A brief review of features in Dromio and then a chance to transcribe some chivalric romance, specifically a few pages about the adventures of St. Denis and his horse from V.a.139 – Gawdy Brampton's rhyming version of Richard Johnson's very popular literary work. <br>
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 2001)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) February - March, 2001
:V.a.139 - [http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=228003 The Famous Histories of the Seven Champions of Christendom] &rArr; [[The Famous histories of the Seven Champions of Christendom V.a.139 | Transcription]]       [[Category: Paleography]]       [[Category:Transcriptions]]       [[Category:Skills course]]
 
*[[The Tempest (Folger Theatre, 2000)|''The Tempest'']] October - December, 2000
 
*[[Julius Caesar (Aquila Theater Company, 2000)|''Julius Caesar'']] (Aquila Theater Company) May - June, 2000
 
*[[Shakespeare's R & J (Folger Theatre, 2000)|''Shakespeare's R & J'']] February - March, 2000
 
===1990s===
 
*[[Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 1999)|''Hamlet'']] October - December, 1999
 
*[[The Night of the Burning Pestle (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1999)|''The Night of the Burning Pestle'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1999
 
*[[Macbeth (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1999)|''Macbeth'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1999
 
*[[The Dresser (Folger Theatre, 1999)|''The Dresser'']] April - May, 1999
 
*[[Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Much Ado About Nothing'']] November - December, 1998
 
*[[The Taming of the Shrew (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1998)|''The Taming of the Shrew'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1998
 
*[[Richard III (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1998)|''Richard III'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1998
 
*[[Measure for Measure (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1998)|''Measure for Measure'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1998
 
*[[Mad About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Mad About the Bard'']] May 13-31, 1998
 
*[[Casting Juliet/Playing Othello (Folger Theatre, 1998)|''Casting Juliet/Playing Othello'']] January - February, 1998
 
*[[Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] November - December, 1997
 
*[[Love's Labor's Lost (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1997)|''Love's Labor's Lost'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1997
 
*[[Henry IV, Part I (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1997)|''Henry IV, Part I'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1997
 
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1997)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) May - June, 1997
 
*[[Ordo Virtutum (1997)|''Ordo Virtutum'']] January 10-11, 1997
 
*[[A Child's Christmas in Wales and Other Lands (Interact Theatre Company, 1996)|''A Child's Christmas in Wales and Other Lands'']] (Interact Theatre Company) November - December, 1996
 
*[[As You Like It (Interact Theatre Company, 1996)|''As You Like It'']] (Interact Theatre Company) April - May, 1996
 
*[[Njinga the Queen King (Folger Theatre, 1996)|''Njinga the Queen King'']] February 8-18, 1996
 
*[[Standup Shakespeare (Folger Theatre, 1995)|''Standup Shakespeare'']] November 7-19, 1995
 
*[[The Merchant of Venice (Source Theatre Company, 1995)|''The Merchant of Venice'']] (Source Theatre Company) June 3-25, 1995
 
*[[Private Lives (with Interact Theatre Company, 1995)|''Private Lives'']] (with Interact Theatre Company) February - March, 1995
 
*[[Richard III (with the Travelling Shakespeare Company, 1995)|''Richard III'']] (with The Travelling Shakespeare Company) January 11-29, 1995
 
*[[The Snow Queen (The Hudson Vagabond Puppets, 1994)|''The Snow Queen'']] (The Hudson Vagabond Puppets) December 9-11, 1994
 
*[[The History of America (abridged) (The Reduced Shakespeare Company, 1994)|''The History of America (abridged)'']] (The Reduced Shakespeare Company) November - December, 1994
 
*[[Shakespearean Women: A Theatre Festival (Folger Theatre, 1994)|''Shakespearean Women: A Theatre Festival'']] October - November, 1994
 
*[[Romeo and Juliet (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1993)|''Romeo and Juliet'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1993
 
*[[Antony and Cleopatra (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1993)|''Antony and Cleopatra'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1993
 
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1993)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express) June - July, 1993
 
*[[Joyicity (Folger Theatre, 1993)|''Joyicity'']] June 10-12, 1993
 
*[[Suppliant Women (with Stanford University, 1993)|''Suppliant Women'']] (with Stanford University) April 13-16, 1993
 
*[[My Astonishing Self (Folger Theatre, 1993)|''My Astonishing Self'']] March 2, 1993
 
*[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (The Travelling Shakespeare Company, 1993)|''A Midsummer Night's Dream'']] (The Travelling Shakespeare Company) February 2-8, 1993
 
*[[The Cure of Troy (with the SCENA Theatre, 1992)|''The Cure of Troy'']] (with SCENA Theatre) June 4, 1992
 
*[[Reminiscences of the Redgrave Family on the Shakespearean Stage (Folger Shakespeare Library, 1991)|''Reminiscences of the Redgrave Family on the Shakespearean Stage'']] December 3, 1991
 
[[Category: Public programs]]
[[Category: Folger Theatre]]
[[Category: American theater]]
[[Category: 20th century]]
[[Category: 21st century]]

Revision as of 12:33, 11 May 2021

Practical Paleography is an opportunity to learn how to read secretary hand in a completely informal setting. These sessions were originally sponsored by Early Modern Manuscripts Online (EMMO) for staff and researchers at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Each session will focus on transcription and mark-up (i.e. XML encoding) of 16th or 17th century manuscript pages from the Folger collection in Dromio, the Folger's transcription platform.

FSL-EMMOLogo-vFinal-2ColorBlue.png

No experience or registration is required, and you can attend as many or as few sessions as you like. Handouts will be provided. Please bring a laptop if possible.

Here's a link to some introductory pages on the early modern alphabet and common abbreviations: Alphabet Book.

Questions about Dromio? Check out Dromio Frequently Asked Questions to see if your question is covered there.

Also see resources developed by EMMO partners for using Dromio during transcribathons:

EMROC's guide to using Dromio

EMPOP's guide to using Dromio


Some transcriptions from Practical Paleography will appear on EMMO.

See below for manuscript details about individual sessions and transcriptions.


Practical Paleography COVID Series

Updated May 11, 2021: Well, we are still going strong! We now meet on Thursdays at 1pm. Please contact Heather Wolfe for the Zoom invitation. We are currently divided into two breakout rooms: one group works on a mystery manuscript each week, and another group is working on John Ward's diary, V.a.294. A beginner Tuesday morning group may begin in June, but beginners are always welcome at Practical Paleography as well. Let Heather Wolfe know if you are interested in the Tuesday group.

Updated June 2, 2020: Practical Paleography Series Seven has extended well beyond its typical six session format, and we have decided to continue meeting at the same time/same Zoom indefinitely. We meet every Tuesday at 2pm to review manuscript "homework" transcriptions and/or learn new concepts. Please contact Heather Wolfe for the Zoom invitation. The group is about 15 people right now and is at the intermediate level, and welcomes new participants. If there is interest in a beginner group, open to anyone, please reach out to Heather Wolfe.

Practical Paleography Series Seven

Update: After session 1 on March 10 we are going virtual! Next meeting will be March 24 via Zoom. We will meet in the Foulke Room in 301 from 2 to 3pm, for six weekly sessions: March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 2020. These sessions are open to all! Folger staff and Folger docents. Please contact Heather Wolfe for the Zoom invitation.

March 10: transcriptions of L.d.18 and L.a.164 from emmo.folger.edu.

March 17: week off

March 24: transcription of V.a.140, fol. 28r

March 31: X.c.62 and worksheet; Wills (transcriptions to be added after class)

April 7: Dromio tutorial (transcribe.folger.edu); introduction to Joscelyn font developed by Prof. Peter Baker, University of Virginia

Practical Paleography Series Six

We will meet in the Board Room from 2:30 to 3:30 on October 8, 15, 22, 29, and November 5, 2019. On November 5, we will be participating in an EMROC transcribathon of Folger MS V.b.400. The transcribathon starts at 10am, so feel free to spend the whole day with us!


Practical Paleography Series Five

We will meet in the Board Room from 3:30 to 4:30 on the following dates: Oct 2, 16, 30 2018; Nov 13, 27 2018; Jan 29 2019; Feb 12 2019; March 12, 26 2019, April 9, 23 2019.

Oct 2 2018

Series Five will include ten sessions led by Dr. Heather Wolfe, Curator of Manuscripts. An introduction to minuscule and majuscule letters of the early modern alphabet will be followed by an opportunity to identify their usage in a manuscript.

Oct 16 2018

After a review of the early modern alphabet, Dr. Wolfe will lead the group in reading a letter by Sir Charles Cornwallis (1621) with attention on abbreviations and brevegraphs.

L.d.242 - Letter from Sir Charles Cornwallis to Roger Townshend, 1st bart

Oct 30 2018

During session three the group will set up their accounts on Dromio, the transcription program. Dr. Wolfe will cover review the meanings of the tags used in transcribing these manuscripts and the group will read the death certificate of Edwin Rich from 1648. Dr. Wolfe will use this certificate to discuss how early modern documents were addressed.

X.d.451 p. 6-7 - Certifies Edwin Rich died 25 Feb 1639 [i.e. 1640]. Signed by the mayor of Hartlepool, Durham.

Nov 13 2018

Dr. Jack Bouchard, Folger Institute Postdoctoral Fellow, will lead the group in a reading of an early modern recipe for gingerbread. This will provide an excellent opportunity for paleographers to become acquainted with the upcoming exhibit, First Chefs.

Nov 27 2018

Jan 29 2019

Session postponed due to snow.

Feb 12 2019

Dr. Owen Williams, Associate Director of Scholarly Programs will further celebration of the First Chefs exhibit by transcribing a recipe from a 1690 pharmaceutical and recipes for seasonal soups from a book divided into two parts with part II being inverted and reversed.

V.b.286 p. 56-57 - Pharmaceutical recipes [manuscript].
V.a.612 - Manuscript cookery book containing more the four hundred and fifty recipes. [manuscript]

Practical Paleography Series Four

Oct 25 2016

The first of ten sessions in the fourth series of Practical Paleography. Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe & EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will be on hand to lead the group in transcribing a bargain and sale (L.b.356) from the Loseley Collection, specifically one involving the sale of seven upper rooms to James Burbage. These rooms would become the famous Blackfriars Theatre. The session will start with Dr Heather Wolfe introducing the early modern alphabet.

L.b.356 - More, Sir William. Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage Transcription

Nov 8 2016

Dr Heather Wolfe will give a brief review of the early modern alphabet and common abbreviations. In the first half of the session the group will transcribe more from L.b.356 (see October 25th session). In the second half of the hour Dr Hillary Nunn will give a short introduction to Lady Grace Castleton's booke of receipts from which the PracPaleo group will transcribe a seventeenth-century recipe for chocolate cream! EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will transcribe & tag this transcription on site using Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool. This special session will serve as a preparation for the Early Modern Recipes Online Collective (EMROC) "transcribathon" at the Folger on Wednesday, November 9th.

Nov 22 2016

In the third session of Practical Paleography we will transcribe L.a.190, from the Papers of the Bagot Family collection. The group will practice writing their own early modern alphabets by copying letters from the manuscript. Dr Heather Wolfe will also explain early modern letter folding. All are welcome.

L.a.190 - To Richard Bagot, Langley Transcription

Dec 6 2016

This special session of Practical Paleography will be a "Paleography Pub Night" from 5.00 - 7.00pm in the Foulke Conference Room, in tandem with the Folger Institute's Introduction to English Paleography lead by Dr Heather Wolfe. We will look at wine & ale recipes over pizza & beer! EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will be on hand to transcribe these transcriptions in Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool.

Dec 20 2016

In the fifth session of Practical Paleography Dr Meaghan Brown, Dr Lizzie Williamson, Dr Owen Williams and Dr Heather Wolfe will lead the group in transcribing a page of J.b.3, the Women's Prize. We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool.

Jan 17 2017

In the sixth session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe & EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will be on hand to lead the group in transcribing a letter from V.b.333, Papers of the Goodricke family of Ribston Hall, Nidderdale, Yorkshire.

Jan 31 2017

In the seventh session of Practical Paleography EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will lead the group in a transcription of a warrant from V.b.333, Papers of the Goodricke family of Ribston Hall, Nidderdale, Yorkshire. We will also further explore Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool.

V.b.333 (20) - Warrant from Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington, to Sir Henry Goodricke Transcription

Feb 14 2017

In the eighth session of Practical Paleography EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell and Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe will lead the group in a transcription of L.a.97, a letter from Walter Bagot to Richard Bagot describing a ' very strange wedding'. We will also go over the homework from last time; a letter from V.b.333 (34), the Papers of the Goodricke Family, Nidderdale Yorkshire. We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool, to collate these transcriptions.

L.a.97 - Letter from Walter Bagot, London, to Richard Bagot Transcription

Feb 28 2017

In the ninth session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe will lead the group in a transcription of L.a.857, a letter from Sir Thomas Skrymsher to Walter Bagot. In it he protests a privy seal for 10 that was left for him at Aqualate, since he now lies at Shrewsbury and has a privy seal for Salop (Shropshire), which he will pay. We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool, to collate these transcriptions.

L.a.857 - Letter from Sir Thomas Skrymsher, Aqualate to Walter Bagot, circa 1610 March 23 Transcription

March 14 2017

Session postponed due to snow.

March 21 2017

In the tenth session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe will look at the use of numbers in early modern manuscripts. The session will also go over the homework from last time; L.a.990.

L.a.990 - Letter from Thomas Worswick, Stafford, to Walter Bagot? Transcription

April 4 2017

In this extra session of Practical Paleography Curator of Manuscripts Dr Heather Wolfe & EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will help the group pick a manuscript to continue working on remotely. These transcriptions will be added to the EMMO corpus in due course (available on emmo.folger.edu).

  • Please note this will take place in Deck A meeting room.
L.a.894 - Letter from William Thomson to Thomas Beardmore Transcription

Practical Paleography Series Three

Oct 20 2015

The first of ten sessions in the third series of Practical Paleography. A brief explanation of secretary hand and Dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool. Then a look at V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. People will be encouraged to participate remotely and the manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.

V.a.307 - Poetical and Prose Miscellany Transcription

Nov 3 2015

A further look at V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. We will transcribe 29v and 31 in the session. People will be encouraged to participate remotely to transcribe the subsequent pages. The manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.

V.a.307 - Poetical and Prose Miscellany Transcription

Nov 17 2015

Continuing with our target to transcribe V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. We will transcribe 30 and 29 in the session. People will be encouraged to participate remotely to transcribe the subsequent pages. The manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.

V.a.307 - Poetical and Prose Miscellany Transcription

Dec 1 2015

A further look at V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany. We will transcribe 86 in the session. People will be encouraged to participate remotely to transcribe the subsequent pages. The manuscript will stay open and accessible to the Folger's paleography community for remote transcription after the end of Tuesday's session.

V.a.307 - Poetical and Prose Miscellany Transcription

Dec 15 2015

A special Practical Paleography evening session today: 'Transcription Night 2' will take place at the Big Board, H street, DC. From 5.30pm - 7.30pm we will be transcribing selections from different manuscripts with pitchers of beer as prizes! Come join us!

Jan 12 2016

We will use Dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation too to transcribe part of X.d.428 in the session. People are encouraged to participate remotely, if they wish.

X.d.428 - To Lady Elizabeth, later Countess of Shrewsbury

Jan 26 2016

Session did not take place. The Folger was closed due to a winter storm.

Feb 9 2016

We will transcribe one page in V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany, and a section of an early modern newsletter. Newcomers are welcome and no registration is required.

V.a.307 - Poetical and Prose Miscellany Transcription

Feb 23 2016

We will transcribe and tag some mid-seventeenth-century letters in this session as part of a special request by Dr. Patrick Tuite of the Department of Drama at Catholic University of America. Dr. Tuite supplied the images and will be joining us for the session. He is working on letters by Arthur Bennet (Earl of Arlington) and Captain Bartlett (who ran the packets sent between Dublin and Holyhead) for an upcoming paper.

Mar 8 2016

We will transcribe and tag a mid-seventeenth-century letter in this session as part of a special request by Dr. Patrick Tuite of the Department of Drama at Catholic University of America. Dr. Tuite supplied the image and will be joining us for the session. He is working on letters by Arthur Bennet (Earl of Arlington) and Captain Bartlett (who ran the packets sent between Dublin and Holyhead) for an upcoming paper. In addition we will transcribe one page in V.a.307, a poetical and prose miscellany, and a section of an early modern newsletter. Newcomers are welcome and no registration is required.

V.a.307 - Poetical and Prose Miscellany Transcription

Practical Paleography Series Two

May 5 2015

The first of ten sessions in the second series of Practical Paleography running through summer 2015. A brief explanation of secretary hand, minuscule and majuscule letter forms and some common abbreviations (eg. which, with, you, your, the, that). Then a look at two interesting family letters, one from the Papers of the Bagot family and the other from the Bacon-Townshend collection.

L.a.161 – Bagot Family Papers Transcription
L.d.18 – Bacon-Townshend Collection Transcription

May 19 2015

A recap of how to use dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool, including a brief overview of its tag set. Then an opportunity to transcribe L.a.63, a letter from Walter Bagot's eldest son Lewis to his father. Lewis is writing from commons [at one of the Inns of Court]. He mentions The Kynnersley-Trew case, being followed hard by Sir Walter Chetwynd and Mr. Wolseley (Wouslye).

L.a.63 – Bagot Family Papers Transcription

June 2 2015

An examination of numbers, both Arabic and Roman. Also covered will be days, dates and Regnal years (including how to modernize dates), with worksheets providing examples.

June 16 2015

A look at a probate copy of the will of Edward Grant dated April 25th, St Mark's day, 1601. After declaring himself sound in mind and perfect in memory Grant goes on to bequeath a house lease, goods and money to his wife and children. He leaves money to the poor of Toppsfield and Barnet and a copy of Ortelius' book of maps to Westminster's College Library. Not forgetting his friends, he leaves a little silver cup to his affectionate friend Mr Samuel Haslewood.

Z.e.40 (4) – Probate copy of Edward Grant's will Transcription

June 30 2015

Latin Part I: A look at some Latin snippets found in the Folger's manuscript collection. EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will lead the group in transcribing and translating Latin found in early modern manuscripts, copied from Virgil's Aeneid & Eclogues and Ovid's Metamorphoses, Tristia & Heroides.

July 14 2015

Latin Part II: A further look at Latin taken from the Folger's manuscript collection. EMMO Paleographer Sarah Powell will lead the group in transcribing and translating Latin, including Latin snippets from the Macro Plays: Castle of Perseverance [ca.1440], Henry Oxinden's miscellany [ca.1642-1670], Letter from John Parker at Dublin Castle to Thadeus O'Carroll [1548], Letter from Harvey Bagot at Oxford to his father Walter Bagot [1609], The Smith family miscellany [ca.1620-1655] and annotations by Gabriel Harvey in Facetie, motti, et burle di diversi signori et persone privat [1580-1608]. There will also be an opportunity to use dromio, the Folger's online transcription tool, to transcribe and tag a Latin excerpt from V.b.26, Book of magic, [ca.1577-1583].

V.b.26 -The Book of magic V.b.26 Transcription

July 28 2015

An opportunity to transcribe an interesting page written in English secretary hand from the Diaries of Richard Stonley, 1581-1598, including Latin citations from Book 3 of Cato's distichs on the need to balance work with pleasure. There will be a further opportunity to compare these transcriptions at the end of the session, using dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool.

V.b.460 - Diaries of Richard Stonley V.a.460 Transcription

August 11 2015

A look at drama in manuscript form, using the seventeenth-century play The Inconstant Lady. Transcriptions will be collated and compared at the end of the session.

J.b.1- The Inconstant Lady J.b.1 Transcription

August 26 2015

An opportunity to transcribe two pages from the Commonplace book of Matthew Day ca.1650 using Dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool. Transcriptions will also vetted in the latter part of the session.

V.a.160-The Commonplace book of Matthew Day V.a.160 Transcription

September 8 2015

A look at a page on Italy and the Medicis of Florence, taken from Edmund Tilney's Topographical Descriptions, Regiments and Policies. Transcriptions will be collated at the end of the session to produce a final version, using dromio, the Folger's online transcription-collation tool.

V.b.182 -Topographical Descriptions, Regiments and Policies by Edmund Tilney V.b.182 Transcription

Practical Paleography Series One

Nov. 18 2014

Brief introduction to secretary hand and common abbreviations. Intriguing recipes from the following manuscript collections:

V.a.430 – Cookery and medicinal recipes of the Granville family Transcriptions
V.b.301 – Cookbook of Grace Blome Transcriptions

Dec. 2 2014

Quick review of alphabet then a look at some interesting letters from the following manuscript:

X.c.61 – Papers of the Rattray family of Craighall Transcriptions
X.c.61 (119) – Letter from John Ogilvy of Balfour to James Rattray of Craighall, 1674 September 9 ⇒ Transcription
X.c.61 (137) – Letter from John Ogilvy of Balfour to James Rattray of Craighall 1677 April ⇒Transcription

Dec. 16 2015

Further examination of secretary hand and review of alphabet before working with a volume of a poetical miscellany:

V.a.245 – Poetical miscellany (manuscript) Transcriptions

Dec. 30 2015

A very brief review of the alphabet and some of the common abbreviations used in secretary hand and then a look at two letters with seasonal references from the Papers of the Bagot Family Transcriptions

L.a.156 – Letter from Walter Bagot to an unnamed knight ⇒ Transcription
L.a.176 – Letter from William Bagot (Walter's son), Oxford, to Walter Bagot, 1619 November 7 ⇒ Transcription

Jan. 13 2015

Introduction to Dromio, the Folger's online transcription/collation tool, and semi-diplomatic conventions and then a chance to practice both transcribing and encoding secretary hand with some poetry from a volume of poetical miscellany :

V.a.245 – Poetical miscellany (manuscript) Transcriptions

Jan. 27 2015

A quick refresher on the use of Dromio and conventions of semi-diplomatic transcription, and then practice transcribing a mixed secretary/italic hand with a newsletter about some maritime matters:

L.c.2102 – Newdigate family collection of newsletters Transcriptions

Feb. 10 2015

An introduction into the way numbers were written in manuscripts of the time, and then an opportunity to transcribe some interesting lists of items (with numbers) in :

V.b.147 – Inventories of the Townshend family Transcriptions

Feb. 24 2015

An educational experience with quill pens, iron gall ink, and rag paper followed by a turn at transcribing an early modern recipe for black ink.

V.a.159 – A Miscellany (sometimes known as Giles Lodge's Lute-Book)⇒ Transcriptions

Mar. 10

A quick review of numbers and then a more specific look at how numbers are used in references to money in early modern manuscripts. Several examples of amounts will be shown in snippets from the Bacon-Townshend collection, then a transcription of a bill/receipt to Lady Stanhope.

L.d.101–775 – Bacon-Townshend collection Transcription

Mar. 24 2015

A brief review of features in Dromio and then a chance to transcribe some chivalric romance, specifically a few pages about the adventures of St. Denis and his horse from V.a.139 – Gawdy Brampton's rhyming version of Richard Johnson's very popular literary work.

V.a.139 - The Famous Histories of the Seven Champions of Christendom Transcription