Guildhall Library
@guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
'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 🙄
One of our senior librarians is preparing a talk on Neo-Classical architecture next year. She discovered this remarkable engraving of the bridge at Syon House in the 1822 edition of 'The works in architecture of Robert and James Adam' by Robert Adam (shelf mark: 428.6).
November 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
One of our senior librarians is preparing a talk on Neo-Classical architecture next year. She discovered this remarkable engraving of the bridge at Syon House in the 1822 edition of 'The works in architecture of Robert and James Adam' by Robert Adam (shelf mark: 428.6).
🍞🥖 It's National Homemade Bread Day! 🍞🥖
To celebrate we're showcasing our editions of 'The Assize of Bread' from 1748 (shelfmark: A 7.7 NO 13) which contains this wonderful woodcut frontispiece illustrating bakers at work.
To celebrate we're showcasing our editions of 'The Assize of Bread' from 1748 (shelfmark: A 7.7 NO 13) which contains this wonderful woodcut frontispiece illustrating bakers at work.
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
🍞🥖 It's National Homemade Bread Day! 🍞🥖
To celebrate we're showcasing our editions of 'The Assize of Bread' from 1748 (shelfmark: A 7.7 NO 13) which contains this wonderful woodcut frontispiece illustrating bakers at work.
To celebrate we're showcasing our editions of 'The Assize of Bread' from 1748 (shelfmark: A 7.7 NO 13) which contains this wonderful woodcut frontispiece illustrating bakers at work.
'Coloured engravings of mosaic pavements, stained glass windows…’ by artist William Fowler (1761-1832), published 1796-1809 (ST 417.7) a large-scale collection of striking engravings of mosaics, stained-glass windows, tiles and examples of Gothic architecture around England.
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
'Coloured engravings of mosaic pavements, stained glass windows…’ by artist William Fowler (1761-1832), published 1796-1809 (ST 417.7) a large-scale collection of striking engravings of mosaics, stained-glass windows, tiles and examples of Gothic architecture around England.
'The Excellency of the Pen and Pencil...' dated 1668 (BAY H 4.6 NO 39) A reader this week requested this unique guide for drawing, painting & engraving. With instruction on techniques in the formats for the best effect. Aimed at gentlemen 'and other Ingenious Spirits, either Artificers or others...'
November 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
'The Excellency of the Pen and Pencil...' dated 1668 (BAY H 4.6 NO 39) A reader this week requested this unique guide for drawing, painting & engraving. With instruction on techniques in the formats for the best effect. Aimed at gentlemen 'and other Ingenious Spirits, either Artificers or others...'
Yesterday we held another Collections Focus talk this time by Senior Librarian Isabelle Chevallot about the Great Plague of 1665, which wiped out 100,000 people in the City of London. A variety of original sources and contemporary accounts were available to consult by a keen audience. 📜📖
November 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Yesterday we held another Collections Focus talk this time by Senior Librarian Isabelle Chevallot about the Great Plague of 1665, which wiped out 100,000 people in the City of London. A variety of original sources and contemporary accounts were available to consult by a keen audience. 📜📖
The cover of the 'Daily Graphic' (ST. 1559-1563) from Tuesday 12th November, 1918 announces the end of the First World War. Crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and all over London.
November 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The cover of the 'Daily Graphic' (ST. 1559-1563) from Tuesday 12th November, 1918 announces the end of the First World War. Crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and all over London.
A new Lady Mayor of the City of London was celebrated this weekend in all its grandeur. A look into our collections at Guildhall Library has revealed this beautiful & elaborate Victorian invitation to the event from 1882 (S PAM 851)
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A new Lady Mayor of the City of London was celebrated this weekend in all its grandeur. A look into our collections at Guildhall Library has revealed this beautiful & elaborate Victorian invitation to the event from 1882 (S PAM 851)
Tomorrow is the Lady Mayor's show!
To celebrate we're showing a small snippet of 'A full and regulated panoramic view of the military procession of the Lord Mayor's Show' publish in 1865.
The images are woodcuts with black and coloured ink.
To celebrate we're showing a small snippet of 'A full and regulated panoramic view of the military procession of the Lord Mayor's Show' publish in 1865.
The images are woodcuts with black and coloured ink.
November 7, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Tomorrow is the Lady Mayor's show!
To celebrate we're showing a small snippet of 'A full and regulated panoramic view of the military procession of the Lord Mayor's Show' publish in 1865.
The images are woodcuts with black and coloured ink.
To celebrate we're showing a small snippet of 'A full and regulated panoramic view of the military procession of the Lord Mayor's Show' publish in 1865.
The images are woodcuts with black and coloured ink.
We wanted to invite you to the second part of the 2025 annual CERL seminar: Your library is your portrait: Engaging with Founding Collections in the 21st century. The full programme: www.cerl.org/services/sem...
FREE to attend in person at Guildhall Library or online. Please email for details.
FREE to attend in person at Guildhall Library or online. Please email for details.
November 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
We wanted to invite you to the second part of the 2025 annual CERL seminar: Your library is your portrait: Engaging with Founding Collections in the 21st century. The full programme: www.cerl.org/services/sem...
FREE to attend in person at Guildhall Library or online. Please email for details.
FREE to attend in person at Guildhall Library or online. Please email for details.
Our core collection covers London and its history. Below are some images from G.W. Bacon's '"Portable" Atlas of London & Suburbs', published in 1897 (shelf mark: AN 4.5.19).
Can you spot where Guildhall is? 👀
Can you spot where Guildhall is? 👀
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Our core collection covers London and its history. Below are some images from G.W. Bacon's '"Portable" Atlas of London & Suburbs', published in 1897 (shelf mark: AN 4.5.19).
Can you spot where Guildhall is? 👀
Can you spot where Guildhall is? 👀
🎆 It's Bonfire Night🎆
To celebrate we're showing our copy of 'The second booke teaching most exactly, the composing of all manner of fire-works for tryumph and recreation' by John Bate, published in 1635 (shelf marl: S PAM 479).
To celebrate we're showing our copy of 'The second booke teaching most exactly, the composing of all manner of fire-works for tryumph and recreation' by John Bate, published in 1635 (shelf marl: S PAM 479).
November 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
🎆 It's Bonfire Night🎆
To celebrate we're showing our copy of 'The second booke teaching most exactly, the composing of all manner of fire-works for tryumph and recreation' by John Bate, published in 1635 (shelf marl: S PAM 479).
To celebrate we're showing our copy of 'The second booke teaching most exactly, the composing of all manner of fire-works for tryumph and recreation' by John Bate, published in 1635 (shelf marl: S PAM 479).
#Onthisday in 1530, Henry VIII's chief minister, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, was arrested for high treason. Shortly after, Wolsey died while be transported to London for trial.
Below are images taken from 'The negotiations of Thomas Woolsey' published in 1641 (shelf mark: AN 2.1.12).
Below are images taken from 'The negotiations of Thomas Woolsey' published in 1641 (shelf mark: AN 2.1.12).
November 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM
#Onthisday in 1530, Henry VIII's chief minister, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, was arrested for high treason. Shortly after, Wolsey died while be transported to London for trial.
Below are images taken from 'The negotiations of Thomas Woolsey' published in 1641 (shelf mark: AN 2.1.12).
Below are images taken from 'The negotiations of Thomas Woolsey' published in 1641 (shelf mark: AN 2.1.12).
Since 1958, Guildhall Library has housed the Gresham Music Collection, which includes significant musical works.
Among them is an 1840 piano and vocal score of Gioacchino Rossini's opera Guglielmo Tell (Shelf mark: G MUS 170). The opera's 'March of the Swiss Soldiers' is frequently used in media.
Among them is an 1840 piano and vocal score of Gioacchino Rossini's opera Guglielmo Tell (Shelf mark: G MUS 170). The opera's 'March of the Swiss Soldiers' is frequently used in media.
November 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Since 1958, Guildhall Library has housed the Gresham Music Collection, which includes significant musical works.
Among them is an 1840 piano and vocal score of Gioacchino Rossini's opera Guglielmo Tell (Shelf mark: G MUS 170). The opera's 'March of the Swiss Soldiers' is frequently used in media.
Among them is an 1840 piano and vocal score of Gioacchino Rossini's opera Guglielmo Tell (Shelf mark: G MUS 170). The opera's 'March of the Swiss Soldiers' is frequently used in media.
🎃Happy Halloween….🎃
‘The impossibility of witchcraft : plainly proving from scripture and reason that there never was a witch…’ from 1712 (PAM 1515) is about the case of Jane Wenham from Hertfordshire convicted of witchcraft. It argues against her conviction with theological & rational reasoning.
‘The impossibility of witchcraft : plainly proving from scripture and reason that there never was a witch…’ from 1712 (PAM 1515) is about the case of Jane Wenham from Hertfordshire convicted of witchcraft. It argues against her conviction with theological & rational reasoning.
October 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
🎃Happy Halloween….🎃
‘The impossibility of witchcraft : plainly proving from scripture and reason that there never was a witch…’ from 1712 (PAM 1515) is about the case of Jane Wenham from Hertfordshire convicted of witchcraft. It argues against her conviction with theological & rational reasoning.
‘The impossibility of witchcraft : plainly proving from scripture and reason that there never was a witch…’ from 1712 (PAM 1515) is about the case of Jane Wenham from Hertfordshire convicted of witchcraft. It argues against her conviction with theological & rational reasoning.