Bibliodyssey is a favorite destination. I particularly like not going there for awhile and then spending time poring over the new posts filled with the weird and the wonderful. I’m pretty sure I have some latent biologist in me, so these illustrations sucked me right in. I like how when you get too close to anything it becomes abstract. The drawings were created in 1929 by Frederik Elfving who was a professor of botany at the University of Helsinki.

Turns out that letter I posted from Sean Connery to Steve Jobs is indeed a fabrication. One decent and upstanding reader was kind enough to send me a link to the story which details the chicanery. On the one hand, I am greatly relieved that Mr. Connery is likely more polite and well-mannered than the persona indicated in the missive. On the other, does this mean he does NOT own said stationery — the design of which is imprinted with that ever-fabulous 007 logo?

You are looking at Joost van den Broek’s photograph of a 16 year old cadet, Kirill Lewerski, from the Russian tall ship Kruzenshtern. The history of the vessel is interesting enough. Pair that with this image, both eerie and beautiful, and it becomes downright compelling. Part of a selection of photographs from the 2011 World Press Photojournalism Awards. Well worth looking at all of the photographs. Via Flavorpill.

“Made in America by Men Who Know Pens!” Do you think such men still exist? For now, the final post of things on a card. The stitching on this one is lovely.

Third (actually the fourth if you count the springs) installment of items secured to a card. This time I’ve got nibs. Again, it’s the backside that I love.