The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT
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thenmct.bsky.social
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT
@thenmct.bsky.social
2.4K followers 320 following 19 posts
We give grants for manuscript conservation projects and are the the only UK charity focusing solely on supporting manuscript conservation in non-national GLAMs
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thenmct.bsky.social
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT @thenmct.bsky.social · Feb 19
Grants for manuscript conservation! Regional and specialist archives, libraries, museums (not nationals) in UK can apply to NMCT for a conservation grant ranging from £500-£20,000 and up to 100% of cost if necessary. Next deadline 1 April (decision mid June) - more info here:
www.nmct.co.uk/apply
Apply | National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
www.nmct.co.uk
thenmct.bsky.social
Several years ago, @thenmct.bsky.social gave a conservation grant to Conwy Archives for conservation of 150+ Foulkes cinema plans from the 1930s. In many cases the plans (together with occasional photographs and job files also in the collection) represent all that survives of the buildings.
October 25, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Reposted by The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT
thefnl.bsky.social
Christopher de Hamel, expert in medieval manuscripts, gave a 'magnificent' lecture this week on the 13th-century Sarum Master Bible. The packed lecture was at @salisburycathedral.bsky.social, to which FNL donated the Bible last year. The Bible is on display in the Cathedral until 2nd November.
Christopher de Hamel talking about the Sarum Master Bible to a rapt audience. Courtesy of Salisbury Cathedral An opening of the Sarum Master Bible - folio 585 Apocalypse, with initial of St John as a medieval scribe, writing his Revelation. Image courtesy of Salisbury Cathedral.
October 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
thenmct.bsky.social
Watch this excellent video of the conservation of a letter by Sir Joseph Banks, 1773. NMCT gave a grant to @josephbankssociety.bsky.social to make this possible; Yeaseul Jung was the conservator (and filmmaker).
vimeo.com/1129479950?f...
Conservation of the Sir Joseph Banks letter of 1773
Conservation of letter from Sir Joseph Banks about the 1773 Polar exhibition. The project was funded by the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (www.nmct.co.uk)…
vimeo.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:08 AM
thenmct.bsky.social
*Jobs klaxon* A fantastic opportunity to train future generations of book & paper conservators and be part of the dynamic team at the @uofglasgow.bsky.social's
Kelvin Centre for Conservation & Cultural Heritage Research.
www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/lecturer...
Lecturer in Paper Conservation and/or Book & Archival Materials Conservation (R&T or LTS)
Job Purpose To lead (Grade 8) and develop (Grade 7 and 8) research-led practical and theoretical aspects of book, archival materials and paper conservation of our new MPhil in Book & Archiva...
www.jobs.gla.ac.uk
July 18, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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glamarchives.bsky.social
Work on the William Burges plans & drawings of Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch continues in our conservation studio

This is a ground plan of the castle, showing the site, along with the canal and dock feeder beyond the outer castle walls

Thanks to the @thenmct.bsky.social for supporting this work
A coloured, hand-drawn ground plan of Cardiff Castle showing the keep in the upper corner, along with the lawn, new buildings, and the canal and dock feeder.
June 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
thenmct.bsky.social
Delighted to be supporting the conservation of this amazing archive!
glamarchives.bsky.social Glamorgan Archives Archifau Morgannwg @glamarchives.bsky.social · Jul 3
This is another of the plans currently being worked on by our conservation team. It shows William Burges’ design for a chimney piece in Mr Sneyd’s room at Cardiff Castle.

Thanks again to @thenmct.bsky.social for supporting this work.
Plan of a decorative chimney piece.
July 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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thelondonarchives.bsky.social
📣 Have you ever wondered what our Conservation Team get up to? Or how we look after our 100km of records? Join our behind the scenes tour of the Conservation Studio at The London Archives next week!

📅 2pm Thursday 19 June

Book tickets below 👇

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-visit-to...

#archives
A Visit to Conservation
Explore behind the scenes in the Conservation studio at The London Archives
www.eventbrite.co.uk
June 13, 2025 at 10:10 AM
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thefnl.bsky.social
Want to bid but your archive/library lacks the funds? Don't forget that you can apply to us for an acquisition grant and we can make speedy decisions!
thefnl.bsky.social Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · May 30
As the summer auction season gets underway, a reminder to the UK's national, regional, local, specialist, university and museum collectors of archives that you can apply to @thefnl.bsky.social for an acquisition grant. We can make a decision in days if necessary.
www.fnl.org.uk/apply
Applying for grants | Friends of the Nations' Libraries
www.fnl.org.uk
June 5, 2025 at 9:16 AM
thenmct.bsky.social
NMCT Trustee, Victoria Stevens ACR @tinmillpress.bsky.social, will be contributing to the conservation programme at the ARA Conference in August: @araukie.bsky.social @araconference.bsky.social She can tell you all about @thenmct.bsky.social's conservation grants so seek her out!
May 28, 2025 at 9:35 AM
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thenmct.bsky.social
JOB KLAXON! A great opportunity to lead the exciting new MPhil Books and Archival Materials Conservation programme at the Kelvin Centre @uofglasgow.bsky.social which also offers MPhil Textile Conservation.

www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/lecturer...
Two images showing aspects of book and paper conservation. The first shows a white leather binding being stitched and the second showing a page with writing on it, with areas of loss. Fingers are holding tweezers which are in turn holding a fragment of the manuscript by the page, in the location from which it has become detached.
March 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
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thefnl.bsky.social
…and in 2008 we helped @uorspeccoll.bsky.social acquire the Knowlson/Samuel Beckett Collection! grants.fnl.org.uk/knowlsonsamu...
April 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
thenmct.bsky.social
JOB KLAXON! A great opportunity to lead the exciting new MPhil Books and Archival Materials Conservation programme at the Kelvin Centre @uofglasgow.bsky.social which also offers MPhil Textile Conservation.

www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/lecturer...
Two images showing aspects of book and paper conservation. The first shows a white leather binding being stitched and the second showing a page with writing on it, with areas of loss. Fingers are holding tweezers which are in turn holding a fragment of the manuscript by the page, in the location from which it has become detached.
March 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
thenmct.bsky.social
Internship opportunity! We & 5 others Pilgrim, Radcliffe, Idlewild, Anna Plowden, and Julia Rausing Trusts are funding a no. of internships. The first, a Manuscripts Conservation Internship - is advertised today! Spread the word!!
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Manuscripts Conservation Intern:London Senate House
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
March 6, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT
bucksarchives.bsky.social
We're looking for a new Conservator to join our team! This is a crucial part of our work as an archive, and we need someone who can physically maintain our fantastic history.

Interested? Find out more information and apply at the link below.

jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/job_detail/3...
'We're Recruiting a Conservator!' written over an image of some conservation work.
March 6, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT
thenmct.bsky.social
Grants for manuscript conservation! Regional and specialist archives, libraries, museums (not nationals) in UK can apply to NMCT for a conservation grant ranging from £500-£20,000 and up to 100% of cost if necessary. Next deadline 1 April (decision mid June) - more info here:
www.nmct.co.uk/apply
Apply | National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
www.nmct.co.uk
February 19, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT
thefnl.bsky.social
*Apply now* for acquisition grants for rare books, mss, archives, fine bindings etc. UK's national, regional, local and specialist collecting institutions are eligible. Next trustees' meeting is soon, so apply now if you have an acquisition in your sights & need support.

www.fnl.org.uk/apply
Applying for grants | Friends of the Nations' Libraries
www.fnl.org.uk
February 27, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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tmmorton.bsky.social
The annual UK Archive Sector Survey closes in 3 weeks’ time! #UKarchives

Why do we ask you to take part?

Read our findings from the 2024 survey, and the interventions we’ve made since: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...

Link to survey 👇
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...
Take part in the 2025 survey - Archives sector
The Annual UK Archive Sector Survey is now open, and will close on 14 March 2025. Thank you in advance for participating. Purpose of the survey The purpose of the Annual UK Archive Sector Survey 2025 ...
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
February 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
thenmct.bsky.social
Very pleased that @thenmct.bsky.social was able to support a previous conservation project with a grant!
helloginnybatty.bsky.social Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · Feb 20
I’ve started setting aside one day a month to wrap/repackage collections. These anatomical atlases have each been cleaned and given bespoke wraps and are ready to be re-shelved!

#Archives
A silver trolley with three levels, laden with multiple books wrapped in blue paper which are tied with wrapping tape and have labels. On the bottom level there is a brown cardboard box and some loose images which are in plastic folders. In the background is a wooden floor and a white wall with a hanging display of postcards for sale
February 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM
thenmct.bsky.social
Don’t forget the conservation grants that are available from @thenmct.bsky.social . Our 2025 deadlines are 1 April and 1 October.
cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · Feb 20
The conservator was able to visit this week and continue repairs on various items, as part of the Adopt-A-Book scheme. Thank you very much to everyone who has helped make this possible.
The image shows the length of a table with several books in a row ready to be repaired. At the end of the table are two books where the repair process has begun, and they have been wrapped in bandages. The covers are mostly 17th or 18th century in date.
February 20, 2025 at 6:08 PM
thenmct.bsky.social
Grants for manuscript conservation! Regional and specialist archives, libraries, museums (not nationals) in UK can apply to NMCT for a conservation grant ranging from £500-£20,000 and up to 100% of cost if necessary. Next deadline 1 April (decision mid June) - more info here:
www.nmct.co.uk/apply
Apply | National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
www.nmct.co.uk
February 19, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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thefnl.bsky.social
The newly acquired one having been bought with the help of FNL!
mssprovenance.bsky.social Peter Kidd @mssprovenance.bsky.social · Feb 15
Two newly-recognised MSS from the library of Duke Humfrey:

One has been acquired by the Bodleian, and will be formally presented to the world at a symposium on 21 March: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/mar25/...

[1/2]
From Jean le Bon to Good Duke Humfrey
A discussion from leading librarians on the current and future of libraries
visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
February 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM
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iamkristine.bsky.social
Looking forward to more Conservation exchanges during 2025 📚

@thenmct.bsky.social @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social @theul.bsky.social
theul.bsky.social Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social · Jan 7
Last year the Cambridge University Library Conservation Department received a visit from colleagues at the Oxford Conservation Consortium (OCC).

#CambridgeUniversityLibraries #CULconservation #ConservationCommunity #BookConservation #PigmentConsolidation #KnowledgeSharing
The Cambridge University Library Conservation Department receives a visit from colleagues at the Oxford Conservation Consortium (OCC). We see a group of conservation colleagues chatting in the studio.
January 7, 2025 at 10:37 AM
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thefnl.bsky.social
An early Christmas present for Salisbury Cathedral!
@thefnl.bsky.social has donated the 13th-century Sarum Master Bible to the Cathedral following a successful campaign to raise £90,000 which was supported by many generous donors including 160+ members of the public. Happy Christmas!
Detail of the 13th-century Bible illuminated by the Sarum Master. Image showing three people with the Sarum Master Bible open on a table in front of them. L-R: Matthew Biddolph (Sackville West art movers), Anne Dutton (Librarian, Salisbury Cathedral) and Jilliam Dutton, Head of Development. The Bible open on a table in the 15thC Salisbury Cathedral Library in front of the Canon Chancellor, Librarian and Dean.
December 24, 2024 at 2:03 PM
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thefnl.bsky.social
Delighted that @thefnl.bsky.social was able award a grant towards this major acquisition. The St Andrews Chronicle comprises two separate manuscripts on paper, dating respectively to c. 1511 and c. 1526, bound together in a rare early Scottish binding.
Image of tweet by St Andrews University Library announcing the acquisition of the St Andrews Chronicle, with an image of the manuscript
December 11, 2024 at 11:26 AM
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byekitty.bsky.social
three and a half years ago we didn’t even *have* an archive catalogue 🥹🥳
November 29, 2024 at 8:31 AM