Hmmm. OK, from the Bowdoin library, in the special collections:

John Cotton: (1584-1652). "Commentary on the First Epistle of John," by John Cotton, first minister of Boston. On paper. 1 v. (376 p.); 30 cm. Undated [17th c.]. Bound in early calf, sides outlined in gilt rules with gilt design in center, brass clasps and catches missing, back with bands, the compartments decorated in gilt. Two columns of text per page.

Paul V (1552-1621). Bull, "Dilecto Filio Officiali Zamorensi ..." Abolishing a monastery of St. James at Zamora in Spain. On vellum. 1 item (l leaf); 79 x 98 cm. September 1609. Bottom edge folded up, seal attached. Leafwork on top margin and part of left margin. Not in Bullarium Romanum or Bullarium Dominicanorum Accompanying this document is a note in the hand of George T. Little, a former Librarian of the College, which states, in part: "Sacked in Napoleonic wars, taken by French invader."

Concerning Shipp money. On paper. 1 v. (660 p.); 29 cm. 1638. Bound in early vellum. Contains the opinions of Baron Weston; Judges Crawley, Berkley, and Vernon; Baron Trevor; Judges Crook, Jones, and Hutton; Barons Denham and Davenport; Lord Finch; and Lord Chiefe Justice Bramstone.

Early vellum, vellum, calfskin.

Bound in vellum, not written on vellum. [Cept for the Papal Bull.]

I haven't had any joy with Google, other to note that Pepys's diary was part of his bequest to Magdalene College, Cambridge, and is in six bound volumes.

Googled for Seventeenth Century Paper.

Voila!

There's a specific name for this sort of housewife's book and I'm blanking on it.

Commonplace book? Or is that something else?

Hmmm. I tink I'm going to go with paper and have her have tied it into a bundle and wrapped it in silk - or would unbleached muslin be better? It needs to be found in at least a readable condition nearly four centuries later..

Katie, commonplace books appear to be something else entirely:

[link]

Ah, okay. Thanks for the link.

I was fascinated by it, especially the research info you get when pressing the various livelinks. Fun site.

Deb!

For Portland: Powells Powells Powells. They do a ton of readings there. My favorite bookstore ever.

Dunno where else, I'm sure there are other bookshops in Portland. Oh! Annie Bloom's Books, in Multnomah Village (which is in the city, that's just the name of the neighborhood), if it's still around. Nice neighborhood bookstore.

Powells. Man, I am an idiot.

'suela, do you know anyone in Portland you could nudge towards a reading? I'm hoping to hook up with Nina K. Hoffman in that area (to discuss something with her not related to any work of mine), but I don't know anyone there and am terrified of the "what if they gave a reading and nobody came?" syndrome....

Hmmmm.

Relating to a conversation in Bitches last night that really should have been here:

Betsy, Beverly, specifically, when you cruise by here: would either of you have a look at the fixes I made to the vexed question of the church registers at St. Giles in the Green (in "Matty Groves"?)

Thankee. I think I fixed it just fine, but am desirious of knowing for certain.