Treasures mobilised
Some of the world's rarest and most intriguing literary treasures can now be accessed on smartphones and the iPad due to the launch of the British Library's Treasure app.
Users of Android, the iPhone and iPad will be able to browse through more than 100 unique items featured in its Sir John Ritblat Treasures Gallery with over 250 high definition images and 40 videos accompanied by commentary and textual interpretations.
A first edition of Alice and Wonderland, the world's oldest Bible, Nelson's battle plan Galileo's letters and Leonardo Da Vinci's notebooks are some of the items app users can get up-close and personal with.
Many of the historic items have accompanying videos and commentary. For example, explorer Ben Fogle talks intrepid adventurers through Scott's diary while linguist David Crystal throws some light on the 1,000 year-old poem, Beowulf.
Other literary highlights include Dickens' handwritten draft of Nicholas Nicholby, Jane Austen's teen dramas and the original Magna Carta of 1215. The musical section of the app comprises handwritten scores from the likes of Mozart and Schubert plus hand-penned Beatles lyrics.
Key religious texts get a look-in too as well as scientific documents on astronomy, botany, zoology and medicine.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the scope of the material, the Treasures app is not free but the library has offered introductory prices until 24 January. Android, iPhone and iPod Touch users can get the app for £1.19 and iPad users for £2.39. After the introductory period, prices will rise to £2.39 for mobiles and £3.49 for the HD-quality iPad version.
The library's director of strategic marketing and communications, Frances Brindle, said: "The library is committed to increasing access to its collections and broadening the reach of our services and this app demonstrates our commitment to engaging with the mobile community."
The British Library plans to add to the app in the future.
