Guildhall Library
@guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
We are now closed for the holidays ❄️🎄 Thank you to all who has visited Guildhall Library this year. We look forward to welcoming you again in 2026!
Wishing everyone a joyful holidays and a happy new year! 🥳
We re-open on Monday 5th January.
Wishing everyone a joyful holidays and a happy new year! 🥳
We re-open on Monday 5th January.
December 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We are now closed for the holidays ❄️🎄 Thank you to all who has visited Guildhall Library this year. We look forward to welcoming you again in 2026!
Wishing everyone a joyful holidays and a happy new year! 🥳
We re-open on Monday 5th January.
Wishing everyone a joyful holidays and a happy new year! 🥳
We re-open on Monday 5th January.
Christmas is nearly here 🎄
Just a reminder, Guildhall Library will be closed 24 December to 4 January 📆
We re-open at 10am on Monday 5th January 2026 🎉
For some last minute research or Christmas presents, you can visit the library today and tomorrow, between 10am to 4pm 🙂
Just a reminder, Guildhall Library will be closed 24 December to 4 January 📆
We re-open at 10am on Monday 5th January 2026 🎉
For some last minute research or Christmas presents, you can visit the library today and tomorrow, between 10am to 4pm 🙂
December 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Christmas is nearly here 🎄
Just a reminder, Guildhall Library will be closed 24 December to 4 January 📆
We re-open at 10am on Monday 5th January 2026 🎉
For some last minute research or Christmas presents, you can visit the library today and tomorrow, between 10am to 4pm 🙂
Just a reminder, Guildhall Library will be closed 24 December to 4 January 📆
We re-open at 10am on Monday 5th January 2026 🎉
For some last minute research or Christmas presents, you can visit the library today and tomorrow, between 10am to 4pm 🙂
⭐Children have always wanted the latest toys for Christmas. 🎅This brochure from 1938 for the famous Gamages department store (1878-1972) in Holborn shows the latest must-have toys (LARGE PAM 497) ⭐
December 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
⭐Children have always wanted the latest toys for Christmas. 🎅This brochure from 1938 for the famous Gamages department store (1878-1972) in Holborn shows the latest must-have toys (LARGE PAM 497) ⭐
Welcome to Guildhall Library's new events programme for January-April 2026!
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Thing...
Please book ahead on Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/guildhall-...
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Thing...
Please book ahead on Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/guildhall-...
December 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Welcome to Guildhall Library's new events programme for January-April 2026!
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Thing...
Please book ahead on Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/guildhall-...
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Thing...
Please book ahead on Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/guildhall-...
With a cover as ornate as a Christmas decoration, 'Visions of Sugarplums...' by Mimi Sheraton (1968) (ED 368) is a collection of Christmas recipes and confections. Part of Elizabeth David's own collection held here. 🍰🎄
December 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
With a cover as ornate as a Christmas decoration, 'Visions of Sugarplums...' by Mimi Sheraton (1968) (ED 368) is a collection of Christmas recipes and confections. Part of Elizabeth David's own collection held here. 🍰🎄
'Stenelaus and Amylda: A Christmas Legend' published 1862 (PAM 1480) With illustrations by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) who also illustrated the works of Charles Dickens (1812-1870) A tale of temperance.
December 16, 2025 at 9:52 AM
'Stenelaus and Amylda: A Christmas Legend' published 1862 (PAM 1480) With illustrations by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) who also illustrated the works of Charles Dickens (1812-1870) A tale of temperance.
Here is another one of our Christmas Treasures - Mrs. Brown's Christmas Box by Arthur Sketchley (shelf mark: AN 2 1.4.16)🎄🎁
A Christmas box is a German tradition, typically filled with treats for children to enjoy on Christmas Eve 🍬
A Christmas box is a German tradition, typically filled with treats for children to enjoy on Christmas Eve 🍬
December 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Here is another one of our Christmas Treasures - Mrs. Brown's Christmas Box by Arthur Sketchley (shelf mark: AN 2 1.4.16)🎄🎁
A Christmas box is a German tradition, typically filled with treats for children to enjoy on Christmas Eve 🍬
A Christmas box is a German tradition, typically filled with treats for children to enjoy on Christmas Eve 🍬
Have you heard any carols lately? 👀🎶
We found a collection of Christmas carols at the back of William Sandys' 'Christmastide : its history, festivities, and carols' (shelf mark: S 394:2663). It gives a glimpse into the songs sung in 1825.
We found a collection of Christmas carols at the back of William Sandys' 'Christmastide : its history, festivities, and carols' (shelf mark: S 394:2663). It gives a glimpse into the songs sung in 1825.
December 11, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Have you heard any carols lately? 👀🎶
We found a collection of Christmas carols at the back of William Sandys' 'Christmastide : its history, festivities, and carols' (shelf mark: S 394:2663). It gives a glimpse into the songs sung in 1825.
We found a collection of Christmas carols at the back of William Sandys' 'Christmastide : its history, festivities, and carols' (shelf mark: S 394:2663). It gives a glimpse into the songs sung in 1825.
Many of our Christmas traditions come from the Victorians. Mistletoe décor dates to the 1700s, but Victorian Britain made kissing under it popular. While, Prince Albert helped turn the Christmas tree into a holiday staple .
These images from Christmastide by William Sandys (S 394:2663) show both.
These images from Christmastide by William Sandys (S 394:2663) show both.
December 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Many of our Christmas traditions come from the Victorians. Mistletoe décor dates to the 1700s, but Victorian Britain made kissing under it popular. While, Prince Albert helped turn the Christmas tree into a holiday staple .
These images from Christmastide by William Sandys (S 394:2663) show both.
These images from Christmastide by William Sandys (S 394:2663) show both.
In 1860, the well-known satirical magazine Punch released 'Punch's games for Christmas, evening parties & all the year round' (PAM 2055). o This collection offered a plethora of ideas for festive amusement, capturing the essence of Victorian entertainment🎄
December 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM
In 1860, the well-known satirical magazine Punch released 'Punch's games for Christmas, evening parties & all the year round' (PAM 2055). o This collection offered a plethora of ideas for festive amusement, capturing the essence of Victorian entertainment🎄
Reposted by Guildhall Library
📣 Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for a successful second seminar on Founding Collections in the 21st Century at @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social.
The recordings are available on YouTube and the proceedings will be published!
#bookhistory
The recordings are available on YouTube and the proceedings will be published!
#bookhistory
December 9, 2025 at 9:14 AM
📣 Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for a successful second seminar on Founding Collections in the 21st Century at @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social.
The recordings are available on YouTube and the proceedings will be published!
#bookhistory
The recordings are available on YouTube and the proceedings will be published!
#bookhistory
'Tis the season of giving 🎁 In the 19th century, tea was marketed as an appropriate, respectable gift.
Below is an advertisement by tea merchants, the Moore Brothers, promoting their 'Christmas gifts' department, highlighting the festive teas available (shelf mark: PAM 23961).
Below is an advertisement by tea merchants, the Moore Brothers, promoting their 'Christmas gifts' department, highlighting the festive teas available (shelf mark: PAM 23961).
December 8, 2025 at 12:26 PM
'Tis the season of giving 🎁 In the 19th century, tea was marketed as an appropriate, respectable gift.
Below is an advertisement by tea merchants, the Moore Brothers, promoting their 'Christmas gifts' department, highlighting the festive teas available (shelf mark: PAM 23961).
Below is an advertisement by tea merchants, the Moore Brothers, promoting their 'Christmas gifts' department, highlighting the festive teas available (shelf mark: PAM 23961).
Reposted by Guildhall Library
Had a fantastic day today @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social listening to colleagues from across Europe present on their founding collections for the @cerl-community.bsky.social annual seminar. Thanks to all involved!
We have had the pleasure today of hosting the second part of the 2025 annual CERL seminar: 'Your library is your portrait: Engaging with Founding Collections in the 21st century' CERL is the Consortium of European Research Libraries.
December 5, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Had a fantastic day today @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social listening to colleagues from across Europe present on their founding collections for the @cerl-community.bsky.social annual seminar. Thanks to all involved!
We have had the pleasure today of hosting the second part of the 2025 annual CERL seminar: 'Your library is your portrait: Engaging with Founding Collections in the 21st century' CERL is the Consortium of European Research Libraries.
December 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
We have had the pleasure today of hosting the second part of the 2025 annual CERL seminar: 'Your library is your portrait: Engaging with Founding Collections in the 21st century' CERL is the Consortium of European Research Libraries.
'The lawfulness and the right manner of keeping Christmass and other festivals...' (PAM 783) 1707. A sermon preached at the parish church of St Dunstan in the West in 1704 by the distinctly-named chaplain Offspring Blackhall. A guide on how to behave well at Christmas. 🎄
December 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
'The lawfulness and the right manner of keeping Christmass and other festivals...' (PAM 783) 1707. A sermon preached at the parish church of St Dunstan in the West in 1704 by the distinctly-named chaplain Offspring Blackhall. A guide on how to behave well at Christmas. 🎄
A seasonal classic - 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens (Bay H 1.4 NO 1 IN 9) from our collections is a first edition from 1843. With fine illustrations of key characters by John Leech and with beautiful red and gold binding. 📖 🌟
December 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A seasonal classic - 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens (Bay H 1.4 NO 1 IN 9) from our collections is a first edition from 1843. With fine illustrations of key characters by John Leech and with beautiful red and gold binding. 📖 🌟
This charming Christmas card depicts Dick Whittington (S PAM 808) (19--) Our library was founded by money left by the real Whittington in 1425, so a nice connection.
A lovely detail is the flap that opens up to reveal his cat. On the back is the inscription "Harold, love from Kitty"🎄
A lovely detail is the flap that opens up to reveal his cat. On the back is the inscription "Harold, love from Kitty"🎄
December 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
This charming Christmas card depicts Dick Whittington (S PAM 808) (19--) Our library was founded by money left by the real Whittington in 1425, so a nice connection.
A lovely detail is the flap that opens up to reveal his cat. On the back is the inscription "Harold, love from Kitty"🎄
A lovely detail is the flap that opens up to reveal his cat. On the back is the inscription "Harold, love from Kitty"🎄
It's December & time to show a few Christmas treasures! 🎁
This festive pamphlet is for Bon Marché’s ‘Special show, Christmas fancy goods’ (FO PAM 8783), held in Brixton in 1884. Bon Marché was a department store opened in 1877, purpose-built & a significant retail destination in Victorian Britain.
This festive pamphlet is for Bon Marché’s ‘Special show, Christmas fancy goods’ (FO PAM 8783), held in Brixton in 1884. Bon Marché was a department store opened in 1877, purpose-built & a significant retail destination in Victorian Britain.
![The front cover of an advertisement for Bon Marche's 1884 Christmas show in Brixton. Central text reads 'Now proceeding. Special show. Christmas fancy goods. For specialties &c., refer to inside prices'. A central red rectangular banner with white text reading 'special show' is overlaid on a cream circle containing the rest of the advert's text. The circle is decorated with illustrations of holly and ivy. There is a background illustration of a winter country scene with a windmill beside a river. [FO PAM 8783]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbtbvkri7ifey324b7z6fg5i/bafkreicy7uetjdueehxf3lyx7qt4osqwpbu37xwjfhremetnuqjdsiooum@jpeg)
![The inside page of a 1884 advert from Bon Marche, promoting their Christmas show in Brixton. This page has two adverts; the top half is for a 'Grand Exhibition of Evening Dresses', and the bottom half for 'Table Plants, Grasses, Rustic Work, etc'. [FO PAM 8783].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbtbvkri7ifey324b7z6fg5i/bafkreigzrtthy5lktizmn2izxvhxgybqyywuvesg3l4vp4m7kza5ujwp6q@jpeg)
![The inside page of a 1884 advert from Bon Marche, promoting their Christmas show in Brixton. This page is promoting their 'Joy Festival and Fancy Fair', with a wide range of goods for sale, from Christmas products to 'Glass, China [and] Earthenware' as well as 'General Fancy Goods'. The logo of Smith & Saunders, proprietors, is in the bottom right corner. [FO PAM 8783].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbtbvkri7ifey324b7z6fg5i/bafkreidpa7lvmm4pogoq5mniasifbf43rmqz4v57km35756f5vz2wjxlvy@jpeg)
December 1, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It's December & time to show a few Christmas treasures! 🎁
This festive pamphlet is for Bon Marché’s ‘Special show, Christmas fancy goods’ (FO PAM 8783), held in Brixton in 1884. Bon Marché was a department store opened in 1877, purpose-built & a significant retail destination in Victorian Britain.
This festive pamphlet is for Bon Marché’s ‘Special show, Christmas fancy goods’ (FO PAM 8783), held in Brixton in 1884. Bon Marché was a department store opened in 1877, purpose-built & a significant retail destination in Victorian Britain.
#OnlineEvent on Mon 1 Dec, 2pm: "Christmas In The City" talk by Jill Finch, City of London Guide.
Start the Festive Season with a virtual wander through the City streets..
Please book via: Guildhall Library Eventbrite page #free
christmasinthecity1dec.eventbrite.co.uk
#christmas
Start the Festive Season with a virtual wander through the City streets..
Please book via: Guildhall Library Eventbrite page #free
christmasinthecity1dec.eventbrite.co.uk
#christmas
Online Only - Christmas In The City
The Romans introduced the winter festival of Saturnalia.
christmasinthecity1dec.eventbrite.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
#OnlineEvent on Mon 1 Dec, 2pm: "Christmas In The City" talk by Jill Finch, City of London Guide.
Start the Festive Season with a virtual wander through the City streets..
Please book via: Guildhall Library Eventbrite page #free
christmasinthecity1dec.eventbrite.co.uk
#christmas
Start the Festive Season with a virtual wander through the City streets..
Please book via: Guildhall Library Eventbrite page #free
christmasinthecity1dec.eventbrite.co.uk
#christmas
Guildhall library will close early at 2pm on Monday 1st December due to a high security event. Apologies for the inconvenience.
November 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Guildhall library will close early at 2pm on Monday 1st December due to a high security event. Apologies for the inconvenience.
One of our Senior Librarians is working on a Great Plague workshop for schools.
The images below are taken from 'Aoimotomia or the pest anatomized' (BAY H. 7. 1. NO 9).
For more information on school visits and workshops, please email: guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk
The images below are taken from 'Aoimotomia or the pest anatomized' (BAY H. 7. 1. NO 9).
For more information on school visits and workshops, please email: guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
One of our Senior Librarians is working on a Great Plague workshop for schools.
The images below are taken from 'Aoimotomia or the pest anatomized' (BAY H. 7. 1. NO 9).
For more information on school visits and workshops, please email: guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk
The images below are taken from 'Aoimotomia or the pest anatomized' (BAY H. 7. 1. NO 9).
For more information on school visits and workshops, please email: guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Findmypast and The British Newspaper Archive have added new collections to their online databases.
For more details, look below.
You can freely access Findmypast and The British Newspaper Archive onsite at Guildhall Library. You do not need to be a member to use our resources!
For more details, look below.
You can freely access Findmypast and The British Newspaper Archive onsite at Guildhall Library. You do not need to be a member to use our resources!
November 21, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Findmypast and The British Newspaper Archive have added new collections to their online databases.
For more details, look below.
You can freely access Findmypast and The British Newspaper Archive onsite at Guildhall Library. You do not need to be a member to use our resources!
For more details, look below.
You can freely access Findmypast and The British Newspaper Archive onsite at Guildhall Library. You do not need to be a member to use our resources!
Did anyone watch Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein? 👀
We didn't. We were too busy reading our 1831 edition which is from the Charles Lamb Society Collection (shelf mark: NO 1 IN CLS 1322). #Frankenstein
We didn't. We were too busy reading our 1831 edition which is from the Charles Lamb Society Collection (shelf mark: NO 1 IN CLS 1322). #Frankenstein
November 20, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Did anyone watch Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein? 👀
We didn't. We were too busy reading our 1831 edition which is from the Charles Lamb Society Collection (shelf mark: NO 1 IN CLS 1322). #Frankenstein
We didn't. We were too busy reading our 1831 edition which is from the Charles Lamb Society Collection (shelf mark: NO 1 IN CLS 1322). #Frankenstein
This morning in London, snow began to fall, giving us an early tase of winter 🌨️❄️
As such, we thought we'll share these colourful illustrations of the winter flowers, snowdrops and sow breads from Anne Pratt's 'Flowering plants grasses and ferns of Great Britain' (shelf mark: GC 1.1 ).
As such, we thought we'll share these colourful illustrations of the winter flowers, snowdrops and sow breads from Anne Pratt's 'Flowering plants grasses and ferns of Great Britain' (shelf mark: GC 1.1 ).
November 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM
This morning in London, snow began to fall, giving us an early tase of winter 🌨️❄️
As such, we thought we'll share these colourful illustrations of the winter flowers, snowdrops and sow breads from Anne Pratt's 'Flowering plants grasses and ferns of Great Britain' (shelf mark: GC 1.1 ).
As such, we thought we'll share these colourful illustrations of the winter flowers, snowdrops and sow breads from Anne Pratt's 'Flowering plants grasses and ferns of Great Britain' (shelf mark: GC 1.1 ).
Reposted by Guildhall Library
Should have said, it's 6-8pm on 27th November at @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social 🙄
FREE talk next week, plus you'll get to see some of the most fascinating livery company mss and a couple of pageant books 🤩 (remote attendance is also an option)
To book, go to www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do...
To book, go to www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do...
November 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Should have said, it's 6-8pm on 27th November at @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social 🙄