Books of Friends.

Before the advent of Facebook and online friendships, how did people even stay in touch? Of course, some of us dinosaurs remember the days of calling your pals on a telephone and sending letters! What happened before that?

If you were born in the 16th Century and wanted to share with your pals some cool music or show your appreciation, you may have created a Friendship Album. We discovered these exquisite pocket-sized albums when visiting the British Library earlier this week and fell in love with them. Developed amongst University students, they contained memories, portraits, songs lyrics, testaments of friendships and autographs too. 

They eventually disappeared in the 19th Century, replaced by visitors' books and/or autographs albums. 

You can see the collection at the British Library until the 12th May. Free entry.