The Diaries of Baron Franz Nopcsa (1877-1933) | are housed at the Manuscript Collections of the National Library of Albania. The seven original volumes (six on Albania and one on Bulgaria) are unique items dating from 1905-1921. Baron Franz Nopcsa | renowned traveller and scholar of South-Eastern European studies focusing on the early decades of the twentieth century | palaeontologist and well-known scholar of Albanian studies | took various notes on numerous occasions while travelling to Albania and the Southern Balkans during the years 1903-1914. The six volumes (1905-1913) deal mostly with ethnography | folklore | geography | geology | history | Albanian customary law | etc. and present great historical and documentary value for the Albanian culture | as well as foreign researchers. Nopcsa’s contribution to the Albanian studies is an inherent part of our cultural and scientific heritage. The seventh volume (1921) contains travel notes on Bulgaria | detailed descriptions of Bulgarian uses and customs | way of life | as well as a history of the people. Nopcsa’s unpublished manuscripts contain drawings and accompanying texts penned during his journeys and expeditions in Upper Albania (1904-1914) and the Central Balkans (Bosnia | Kosovo | Macedonia | Serbia) | and present a wealth of valuable notes and pencil-drawn landscape sketches | travel routes | very rare and fascinating illustrations | without mentioning his records of travel expenses | summing up to a total of 3000 pages.

A British sentimental postcard. || ‘Home on Leave.’ is the title of this postcard, on the front of which is depicted a little boy in the arms of his soldier–father, whose Victoria Cross he is admiring. Printed on the reverse are the words ‘Copyright. Printed and Published by J. Salmon, Sevenoaks, England.’ and ‘Printed in Great Britain’. || || Sevenoaks || 51.27241000000001,0.19089800000006107 || A British sentimental postcard entitled 'Home on Leave.'

James Gerrard Boyd (standing on right) with unidentified gentleman on left.