Sensory system

Visual

Context

Handling the catalogue

Physical

This slim volume is attractively bound, with in an embossed leather cover.

Emotional

Yellow - High energy pleasant - words like surprised, joyful, happy.  This item touches at the heart of the foundation story of the organisation and how the historic birthplace of William Shakespeare was saved for the nation.  The item itself is visually attractive and conforms to what many people consider a historic volume should look like.  People may be surprised by the background to the auction (saving the Birthplace from being dismantled and exported) and also that the auctioneer was from London, not Stratford-upon-Avon.  Viewers might appreciate the manner in which the catalogue is presented, decorated and illustrated.

Relationships

• Smell
• Sound
• Touch

Sensory system

Interoception

Context

Handling the item

Physical

A 'heartwarming' feeling may be induced, through viewing elements of the catalogue.  It is decorated in a manner that highlights the romantic association of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway.  This extends to the re-presentation of  the Shakespeare family coat of arms away from the conventional shield shape, to a more heart shaped version.  A fine example of marketing manipulation aimed at promoting the wholesome image of the Shakespeare family home for commercial reasons.  That original intention for the volume's decoration may not now be relevant, but people consulting this as an archival item may still respond positively to the sentiments so visibly on display.

Emotional

<div class="evocative-info-item"> Green - Low energy pleasant </div>

Sensory system

Touch

Context

Handling the item

Physical

The volume is both tactile and brittle.  The leather cover may appeal to some readers, but may repel others.  The pages use cheap, small fibre paper, reflecting the purpose of the catalogue as a short life, commercial item, to be printed as cheaply as possible and be disseminated widely to attract interest in the auction.

Emotional

Green - Low energy pleasant - for some, BUT also Red - High energy unpleasant -  for others.

Sensory system

Smell

Context

Handling the item

Physical

The volume has a slight but distinct aroma of bound leather and old paper.  No hint of mould or bad things, just evocative of cared for volumes. Thinking about the setting for the auction house conjures feelings of odours, with perspring bidders in a smoke filled room.  My mind's eye makes this an overwhelmingly masculine setting, lacking any balancing scent of perfume.  How accurate this is I cannot say, but the impression given by the volume in its binding leads my thinking in this direction.

Emotional

<div class="evocative-info-item"> Green - Low energy pleasant - but also Blue - low level unpleasant </div>