Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham
LightNews LightNews
banner
theironroom.bsky.social
Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham
@theironroom.bsky.social
600 followers 230 following 340 posts
Preserving & sharing 800 years of Birmingham's history at the Library of Birmingham.
For enquiries, please email archives.heritage@birmingham.gov.uk
Follow our blog @ www.theironroom.wordpress.com
More info @ birmingham.gov.uk/archives
Posts Replies Media Videos
theironroom.bsky.social
#SundayShowcase is Altar of Remembrance by Alan Fewtrell. A brief insight into the stories behind the service personnel and civilians remembered at the Castle Bromwich War Memorial. Ref - L 75.9 #LibraryofBham
Two books resting on a cushion. Title of the book is Altar of Remembrance - Remembering the fallen commemorated by the Castle Bromwich war memorial by Alan Fewtrell. Insert panel of a photograph of the war memorial in the bottom half of the front cover. A silhouette of a soldier in the top left of the cover.
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#CityOf1000Trades this 1900 advertisement for Albert C Neal. The company was first listed in the 1876 edition of the Furniture Gazette. Ref - L 08.2 Periodicals D5/ 229383 #LibraryofBham
An advertisement for Albert C Neal of the Viaduct Works, Oxford Street, Birmingham. Illustration of a folded mattress in the centre of the illustration. Details of services and the address of the premises beneath this.
November 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#PhotoFriday is this mid – 1930s photograph of the King Edward Grammar School in New Street, a year before it moved to Edgbaston. The building was demolished in 1937. Ref: WK/B11/5702 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic #KESBham
A photograph of large imposing Victorian gothic building on a high street. The school is three storeys high. Pedestrians and vehicles outside in front of the building. Electric streetlamps hanging from cables in the top foreground of the photograph.
November 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#EFP This is a copy of Gerard’s Herball (1636) - the most famous of English herbals, renowned for its numerous drawings and lively writing style with anecdotes taken from folklore. Part of the library’s Early and Fine Printing Collection. Reference A 094/1636 #LibraryofBham
Image of a frontispiece, a decorative illustration with three vertical panels. Each populated by classical figures. A female figure is in the top panel. Two older male figures populate the central panel and the bottom is populated by a male figure wearing an Elizabethan style ruff.
November 13, 2025 at 9:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#HRAExhibition #Christmas If you’re passing by the library over the next couple of months, why not pop up to Level 4 to take a look at our small, but perfectly formed display of Christmas related documents from our printed collections #LibraryofBham
Side view photograph of a glass exhibition case. Books laid flat in the foreground of the photograph. A book in the left background of the photo raised on a rest. A long line of tinsel running along the back of the case. A bookcase in the background of the photograph.
November 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
Staff are working to improve access and visibility of our Black & South Asian History Collection. 10,000+ items have been modified, increasing the percentage of items visible on the public catalogue from 51% to 85%: theironroom.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/1... #LibraryofBham @blackhistorymonth.org.uk
A photo of shelves of books. Certain books have pieces of paper popping out of the top.
November 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#RemembranceDay This Friday, an event will be held in Victoria Square to explore the contribution of the Indian Forces in WW1 and the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. You can book your ticket: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cwgc-first... Ref – WK/B11/8526 #LibraryofBham @cwgc.bsky.social
Photograph of the men of the 8th Punjab Pipe Band leading detachments of Indian and Ghurka troops as the parade enters New Street from Victoria Square. A crowd of people gather to watch on the left of the photograph.
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
#Railway200 #MapOnATuesday shows the enlargement of New Street Station - the new street to be substituted for Great Queen Street and the intended alteration of streets in the vicinity,1st August 1881. Now we know what became of Bread Street! Ref: MAP/73266 #LibraryofBham @railway200.bsky.social
A map of Birmingham city centre. A collection of named thoroughfares crisscrossing one another - some of the streets have shading around them. Features such as churches and schools identified on the map. A shaded area in the centre with text - L & NW Railway Station above it. Text inside the bulk of the shaded area regards - Proposed Extension of Footbridge. A scale of measurement in the bottom right of the map. A compass lilting at an angle in the bottom left along with text which reads - Copyright Entered Stationers Hall.
November 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
#RemembranceDay To commemorate this Remembrance Day, here’s the front page of our copy of the Birmingham Book of Remembrance, 1914 – 1918. Ref - L 75.9. The original is held at Birmingham Hall Of Memory: www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/it... #LibrayofBham @britwarmemorial.bsky.social
Laurel garland with the handle and tip of a sword running through it. Legend below the garland reads - For King & Country. Text in the centre of the garland reads - The Roll of Honour of Birmingham Men Who Gave Their Lives in The Great War. On one side of this text is date 1914 and directly opposite 1918.
November 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
Stay Calm everyone! Access to our online archival catalogue Calmview: Home Page will be down for essential upgrade work this Wednesday between 8 am - 12 pm. You can still contact us at: archives.heritage@birmingham.gov.uk with catalogue queries #LibraryofBham
Home Page of an online archival catalogue. Text at the top of the page reads Rewriting The Book – Library of Birmingham. Beneath this, a search tab on the far right with tile function keys across the page beneath this. A photograph of two young people using paints and brushes on an easel beneath this. Below, text relating to the catalogue. A menu board on the far left of the Home Page.
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
For a recent blog, our Conservator, Lucy shed light on the environmental monitoring in our storage areas. Extreme fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity can pose a significant risk to the archives unless monitored: theironroom.wordpress.com/2025/11/03/e... #LIbraryofBham
On the left of the photograph, is a Meaco transmitter on a shelf. To the right are two archival boxes. Boxes on the shelf beneath this.
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
#SundayShowcase rounding off the Chris Upton lecture week is Chris’ posthumous book on the Birmingham Parish Workhouse, 1730-1840. Very little is known of the first workhouse - the assumed date of its building given as 1733 is apparently wrong! Ref - L 41.11 #LibraryofBham
A book on a table with its cover facing on to the camera. Title at the top of the cover of the book is The Birmingham Parish Workhouse, 1730 – 1840. Beneath this, a panel in the middle of the front cover containing an illustration of an austere looking brick building. Beneath this, the name of the author – Chris Upton. A doorway in the left background of the photo and an upright cabinet on the right close to a window.
November 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#CityOf1000Trades Legg & Company of Bromsgrove Street in this 1900 advertisement of their Ball Room decorating service. They publicised their services as far as Wales and at one time made flags and banners. Ref - L 08.2 Periodicals D/5 / 229383 #LibraryofBham
An advertisement. Text at the top of the advert reads Legg & Company, public decorators, Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham. Beneath this, a list of their wares on the left and an illustration of a Victorian ballroom scene on the right. Below this, the words Ball Rooms in bold print and further details regards services.
November 8, 2025 at 10:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#PhotoFriday this week is this photograph of an ice cream seller, possibly of Italian heritage with hand on furrowed brow at her stall in Smithfield market, c 1901. Ref - MS 4557 Box 5 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic
A photograph of a female figure sat at a stall. Her right arm is resting on the stall and the hand is touching her furrowed brow. She is wearing a long flowing shawl like garment with cowl resting on her head. Behind her, a crowd of people go on their way apart for a solitary male figure in the mid centre of the photograph who looks towards the camera.
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
Queen's Hospital, established in 1841 by William Sands Cox on Bath Row, was a teaching hospital named by Queen Victoria. Its medical school became Queen's College in 1843. Later merging, with others, to form part of #UoB's medical faculty. Ref: WK/B11/3760 #LibraryofBham
An illustration of a Georgian style building. The house has an entrance with columns either side and a crest at the top. The building has railings around it. In the foreground is a horse drawn carriage. Figures populate the street dressed in traditional Victorian attire - canes, top hats and frock coats for the men and bonnets and long flowing dresses for the women.
November 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BonfireNight #Fireworks A Sutton Coldfield Warden’s notice from 5 November 1799 prohibiting bonfires - ‘No Bonfire will be allowed in the public street near the Town Hall nor in the public street of the town by persons pulling up hedges, etc.’ Ref: BCU/182 #LibraryofBham #RoyalSutColTC
A handwritten notice on a piece of paper. A line of crossing out about halfway down the page.
November 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BonfireNight #Fireworks Here’s a trade catalogue advertising where Brummies of yore may have purchased their fireworks from at C. Adams & Co. on Summer Street in 1887. Reference - Birmingham Trade Catalogue Collection : LS 10/A/6 #LibraryofBham
Front of a trade catalogue for C. Adams & Co. Pyrotechnical Artists. 8, Summer Street, Birmingham, April 1887. Illustrations of Catherine Wheels and other fireworks surround the text. Handwritten text at the bottom of the illustration reads - It would give us great pleasure to tender for display of fireworks.
November 5, 2025 at 9:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
Don’t forget to join us this Saturday for Kevin’s talk on his book investigating the body snatchers and grave robbers of the West Midlands. Book your place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-diggum... #LibraryofBham
Photo of a male figure holding a fake skull in his hands – the skull has an incision in its top plate. The male figure is wearing a heavy overcoat over a jacket with a shirt and cravat. Wood panelling is behind the figure.
November 4, 2025 at 4:04 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
#MapOnATuesday today is this 1824 specimen of the proposed map of the town of Birmingham and its environs, being a survey of part of the High Street and Five Ways - John Pigott Smith, Surveyor. Ref - MAP/72845 #LibraryofBham
A map. Title at the top of the page is Proposed map of the town of Birmingham and its environs, being a survey of part of the High Street and Five Ways. Beneath this, two specimens of separate maps. A compass in the bottom right of the map.
November 4, 2025 at 7:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
Meet #MadameNellie Nellie, the parachutist who would dive 6,000 feet unattended from a hot air balloon. Pictured here in The Birmingham Owl magazine on 6 July 1906 in advance of her leap at Mount Cottage Farm. Ref – LF 06 #LibraryofBham @solihulllibraries.bsky.social
A photograph of a female figure stood side on wearing a large aeronautical style peaked cap and uniform. A bundle of fabric which may be a parachute is draped over their left arm.
November 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
theironroom.bsky.social
#SundayShowcase #Railway200 this week is Off The Rails: The Inside Story of HS2 by Sally Gimson. An analysis of the project in which the author meets with politicians, engineers and ordinary people affected by HS2. Ref: L 47.34 #LibraryofBham @sallygimson.bsky.social @railway200.bsky.social
Two books resting on a cushion. Both covers facing the camera. Title of the book is Off The Rails - The Inside Story of HS2. Author’s name at the bottom of the front cover is Sally Gimson.
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#CityOf1000Trades this 1900 advert for R. Reppington of Worcester Street, purveyors of fish, game and rabbits who appear to have flourished in the late 19th century. Ref - L 08.2 Periodicals D/5 229383 #LibraryofBham
A flyer for R. Reppington. An illustration of the exterior of a shop front. Various signage on the front of the premises including R Reppington between the two sets of small windows above the entrance and R Reppington - fish, game and rabbits right above the doorway. The two front windows of the store at ground level are full of meats. Vehicles in the street outside the shop. The words Worcester Street at the bottom of the illustration.
November 1, 2025 at 10:15 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#PhotoFriday #Railway200 A photo of the platforms at New Street Station in 1905. The golden age of rail travel. Ref - MS 4557 Box 5 #LibraryofBham @Brumpic @railway200.bsky.social
Photograph of the platforms of a railway station. Three commuter trains pulled in at each platform. Steps leading down to the platforms on the left of the photograph. A group of people sat on a bench on the platform in the foreground. A glass roof supported by a corrugated metal frame.
October 31, 2025 at 8:01 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#BirminghamHistory Don’t forget to Join us for the annual Chris Upton Memorial Lecture on Monday 3rd November, 5.30pm - tinyurl.com/UptonBaskerville Ref: MS 897,Volume II, Image 218 #LibraryofBham @typetweets.bsky.social #BaskervilleSoc
A drawing of a skeleton.
October 30, 2025 at 10:52 AM
theironroom.bsky.social
#Erdington This late 1960s, early 1970s poster created by the Erdington and District Inter - Racial Council promoting cultural and ethnic coexistence. Ref - BCC 18/8/1/2 (2000/129) #LibraryofBham
A poster - title is Good Neighbours in Erdington. A photograph of a row of young children of different ethnicities dipping their feet in a pool of water. The children are looking up at the camera.
October 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM