Guildhall Library
@guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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 ).
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.
🐱To mark #nationalcatsday & the companionship of cats, this charming children’s tale of 1885 ‘Dame Wiggins of Lee’ by A Lady of Ninety (AN 19.1.15), ed. by John Ruskin, tells of an old lady who lives with her 7 cats. They help her with work & keep her good company. Illustrations by Kate Greenaway.🐾
October 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
🐱To mark #nationalcatsday & the companionship of cats, this charming children’s tale of 1885 ‘Dame Wiggins of Lee’ by A Lady of Ninety (AN 19.1.15), ed. by John Ruskin, tells of an old lady who lives with her 7 cats. They help her with work & keep her good company. Illustrations by Kate Greenaway.🐾
#OnThisDay in 1831, Michael Faraday demonstrated his pioneering invention, the electric generator. 'The Life and Letters of Faraday' (B:F 219) by Dr Bence Jones (1870) examines his life and work.⚡️
October 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
#OnThisDay in 1831, Michael Faraday demonstrated his pioneering invention, the electric generator. 'The Life and Letters of Faraday' (B:F 219) by Dr Bence Jones (1870) examines his life and work.⚡️
🥂 It's World Champagne Day 🥂
To celebrate we're show our copy of 'A history of champagne' by Henry Vizetelly, published in 1882 (shelf mark: WTC 1796).
To celebrate we're show our copy of 'A history of champagne' by Henry Vizetelly, published in 1882 (shelf mark: WTC 1796).
October 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🥂 It's World Champagne Day 🥂
To celebrate we're show our copy of 'A history of champagne' by Henry Vizetelly, published in 1882 (shelf mark: WTC 1796).
To celebrate we're show our copy of 'A history of champagne' by Henry Vizetelly, published in 1882 (shelf mark: WTC 1796).
Here our a glimpse of our collection relating to Black History to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth!
October 23, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Here our a glimpse of our collection relating to Black History to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth!
Stacey Grimaldi's "A Suit of Armour for Youth" (1824) is an early example of a "moveable" book with flaps that could be lifted. We’re lucky enough to have a copy with all its moveable parts intact!
Each flap displays a knightly item, revealing virtues like loyalty and wisdom beneath.
Each flap displays a knightly item, revealing virtues like loyalty and wisdom beneath.
October 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Stacey Grimaldi's "A Suit of Armour for Youth" (1824) is an early example of a "moveable" book with flaps that could be lifted. We’re lucky enough to have a copy with all its moveable parts intact!
Each flap displays a knightly item, revealing virtues like loyalty and wisdom beneath.
Each flap displays a knightly item, revealing virtues like loyalty and wisdom beneath.
On this day in 1805, the Royal Navy, led by Admiral Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar—crushing Napoleon’s invasion hopes. The battle occurred west of Cape Trafalgar, Spain.
Below are images from Orme’s Graphic History of Nelson (GR 6.2.6).
Below are images from Orme’s Graphic History of Nelson (GR 6.2.6).
October 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
On this day in 1805, the Royal Navy, led by Admiral Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar—crushing Napoleon’s invasion hopes. The battle occurred west of Cape Trafalgar, Spain.
Below are images from Orme’s Graphic History of Nelson (GR 6.2.6).
Below are images from Orme’s Graphic History of Nelson (GR 6.2.6).
🦥 Happy International Sloth Day!🦥
To celebrate we're showing this image of a sloth from 'A new dictionary of natural history' by William Frederick Martyn published in 1785 ( shelf mark: AN 14.3.13).
To celebrate we're showing this image of a sloth from 'A new dictionary of natural history' by William Frederick Martyn published in 1785 ( shelf mark: AN 14.3.13).
October 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
🦥 Happy International Sloth Day!🦥
To celebrate we're showing this image of a sloth from 'A new dictionary of natural history' by William Frederick Martyn published in 1785 ( shelf mark: AN 14.3.13).
To celebrate we're showing this image of a sloth from 'A new dictionary of natural history' by William Frederick Martyn published in 1785 ( shelf mark: AN 14.3.13).
Examples of Victorian innovations in refrigeration are shown in ‘Ash’s Patent ‘Piston’ Freezing Machine and Wine Cooler….’ (PAM 9077) by George Simpson, 1863.
The device was a metal-lined wooden tub with cylinders and an agitator to mix crushed ice and 'freezing powders' to maintain the cold🍧🍦
The device was a metal-lined wooden tub with cylinders and an agitator to mix crushed ice and 'freezing powders' to maintain the cold🍧🍦
October 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Examples of Victorian innovations in refrigeration are shown in ‘Ash’s Patent ‘Piston’ Freezing Machine and Wine Cooler….’ (PAM 9077) by George Simpson, 1863.
The device was a metal-lined wooden tub with cylinders and an agitator to mix crushed ice and 'freezing powders' to maintain the cold🍧🍦
The device was a metal-lined wooden tub with cylinders and an agitator to mix crushed ice and 'freezing powders' to maintain the cold🍧🍦