On September 21, 1937, J. R. R. Tolkien's classic fantasy novel The Hobbit was published for the first time. 1,500 copies were printed, complete with black and white illustrations by Tolkien. The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien) From Royal Mail's 1998 Famous Children's Fantasy Novels set Designed by Peter Malone In fact, Tolkien was reported to […]
Matthäus Merian, one the greatest engravers and publishers of the 17th century was born in Basel, Switzerland on September, 22, 1593. Among his most renowned works were his engraved cityscapes. In his time, Matthäus Merian was one of the most prolific creators and publishers, not only in Germany, but in the whole of Europe, which […]
The "greatest of the Arabic language", al-Mutanabbī, died September 23, 965. Monument of the poet Ahmad ibn al-Hussein al-Mutanabbi Issued by Iraq in 2008 Abu al-Tayyib Ahmad ibn al-Husayn al-Ju‘fi, known by the nickname al-Mutanabbi (The One Who Claimed Prophethood), is often considered to be the single most important Arabic poet, and certainly he stands […]
IT'S NEGRONI WEEK! We are smack dab in the middle of International Negroni Week (September 22 to 28). Started in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine, the week now boasts thousands of participating restaurants and bars around the world helping to raise money for charities. 2025 continues Negroni week's commitment to the Slow Food push for "good, […]
Jean Sibelius conducted the first public performance of his 3rd Symphony on September 25, 1907 in Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland. The reviews were mixed: Karl Flodin praised the work, but the Helsingin Sanomat reviewer claimed that the direct impact of the work was weaker than that of the first symphony. 03. Third symphony op. […]
It’s WORLD DUMPLING DAY!!! And yes, this deserves 3 exclamation marks. Can’t think of a better celebration to end a week. September 26 is a day set aside to honour the humble yet noble dumpling and all its wonderous incarnations. If there is one thing the stamp world does well, it’s food stamps. Mind you, […]
French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas died September 27, 1917 in Paris, France. Always remembered as an Impressionist, Edgar Degas was a member of the seminal group of Paris artists who began to exhibit together in the 1870s. He shared many of their novel techniques, was intrigued by the challenge of capturing effects of light and attracted […]
This September 28 marks the 19th World Rabies Day This World Health Organization initiative aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of rabies and of the life saving vaccine developed by Louis Pasteur. The ultimate goal of World Rabies Day is to eradicate rabies completely. Rabies virus kills over 50,000 people each year, many […]
The inventor of the biro (ball point) pen, László Bíró, was born September 29, 1899 in Budapest, Hungary. Bíró László József, inventor of ball-point pen Issued by Hungary in 1996 Designed by Dudás László Contemplating the problem of how to deliver thick, quick-drying ink to a paper surface without requiring the ink to flow, Bíró […]
At the age of 25, the great Ottoman leader Süleyman “the Magnificent” began his reign on September 30. 1520. Süleyman the Magnificent and his court Issued by Iran in 1969 Under Süleyman, popularly known as “the Magnificent” or “the Lawmaker,” the Ottoman empire reached the apogee of its military and political power. Süleyman’s armies conquered Hungary, over […]
On October 1, 1861, the definitive book on Victorian housekeeping, Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management, was published. The book sold 60,000 copies in it's first year of publication. THE BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT; Comprising Information for the MISTRESS, HOUSEKEEPER, COOK, KITCHEN-MAID, BUTLER, FOOTMAN, COACHMAN, VALET, UPPER AND UNDER HOUSE-MAIDS, LADY'S-MAID, MAID-OF-ALL-WORK, LAUNDRY-MAID, NURSE AND […]
The Great Cheese Riot began October 2, 1766 at Nottingham's Goose Fair. ‘ Goose Fair was the occasion of a ‘great cheese riot’ . Stalls were attacked and ransacked, and cheeses distributed to the crowd. Being barrel-shaped they could easily be rolled, and soon they were being propelled down Wheeler Gate and Peck Lane. The […]