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mrcwarwick.bsky.social
Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick
@mrcwarwick.bsky.social
15K followers 1.3K following 660 posts
Archives rich in social and political history from the late 19th century onwards.

Follow the MRC for highlights from our collections, details of our online resources and more!

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc
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mrcwarwick.bsky.social
'End of the Great World War'

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them. #ArmisticeDay #PeaceAndHope #NeverForget

This edition of The Daily Chronicle can be viewed online
mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/HNP/...
Front page of 'The Daily Chronicle' newspaper. The headline is 'End of the Great World War'. Also features a photograph of King George V. The paper contains articles and illustrations relating to the abdication of the Kaiser, end of the war and revolution in Germany.
November 11, 2025 at 10:17 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
An openly political film, the director & several lead actors had to flee Germany after Hitler came to power in 1933.

American dancer Louis Douglas ('Africa') was a European tour veteran, having starred alongside Josephine Baker in 1925

Ernst Busch ('Germany') later fought in the Spanish Civil War
Inside pages of 1931 film programme for No Man's Land or Niemandsland, including cast list and images from the film showing characters before they reached a First World War battleline. Inside pages of 1931 film programme for No Man's Land or Niemandsland, showing images of battle during the First World War. Inside pages of 1931 film programme for No Man's Land or Niemandsland, showing characters in a ruined house in no man's land and at home. Final page of 1931 film programme for No Man's Land or Niemandsland, showing ruined house in no man's land and the five main characters from opposing sides in the conflict lining up together- "Marching forward. Defying their common enemy - WAR".
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
No Man's Land

Thirteen years after the end of the First World War, 'Niemandsland' was released in German cinemas in 1931

The anti-war film portrayed the world conflict through soldiers representing 'Germany', 'England', 'Africa', 'France' and 'Somewhere in the world' (a Jewish Russian)
Cover of 1931 film programme for No Man's Land or Niemandsland, showing close ups of the faces of five soldiers.
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
🚨 Archive Job Alert 🚨

📜 Fancy working with our fantastic archive collections?

We're looking for a *new* MRC Manager to lead our service!

Could this be YOU?

Find out more about the role at warwick-careers.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...

More about the MRC at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Five photographs of the Modern Records Centre: Two students walking outside the main entrance. A view down the aisle of one of our strongrooms. A student looking through a photograph album in our seminar room. Digitisation Assistant at work scanning a volume. A view of our searchroom, with an Archive Assistant handing out a document to a researcher.
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
#OTD 1917 the 'October' Revolution took place in Russia

Our archives include significant primary sources on the relationship between Britain and Russia in the decade following the 1917 revolutions

650+ documents have been digitised and are freely available online at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Colourised lantern slide showing soldiers dressed in grey uniforms, rifles raised.
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
We preserve because supporting research and making trusted sources available is core to what we do.

Read more about digital preservation - and watch our vlog about why we preserve - on our website:

warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...

#WDPD2025 #DigiPres
A screenshot of the Modern Record Centre's 'Digital Preservation' webpage, which is linked in this tweet.
November 6, 2025 at 12:50 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
For true sporting excellence, BREAD is the (1935) diet of champions. For a varied athletic diet, include cheese biscuits and tea.

(from mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/CTC/... )
Advert from 1935 promoting BREAD as a sporting food for champions. It includes a drawing of a man and woman enjoying sandwiches made with BREAD. A sketch of the same couple propping up their bikes against a lone tree is in the background. "Cyclists and Hikers. Take plenty of sandwiches with you on your tour. Eat plenty of Bread on your tour. It is best for energy and prevents you from feeling tired. Read what E.B. SEELEY, who cycled 21,079 miles in 1934, writing in "CYCLING", says- "For breakfast I eat bread and cheese; for tea I eat cheese biscuits and drink tea; and for supper I have more bread and cheese." BREAD is the best food for renewing spent energy."
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
An early adopter of Movember, J Graham captain of Millwall Athletic had a brief but brilliant career.

From 'The Sportfolio - Portraits and Biographies of Heroes and Heroines of Sport & Pastime, 1896'. Part of the Cyclists' Touring Club archive.

mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/CTC/...
Black and white photograph of J Graham, the Millwall Athletic back and captain c. 1893. He is sporting a fabulous moustache.
November 4, 2025 at 12:14 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
Aftermath of war

The experiences & treatment of ex-servicemen, physically or psychologically affected by the First World War, seen through archives relating to the 'sweated trades' in the 1910s & 1920s

More sources on working people & disability digitised & indexed at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL - NOT to be communicated to the PRESS. PAPER BOX TRADE BOARD (GREAT BRITAIN). Permits Committee. SUPPLEMENTARY SUMMARY OF APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS OF EXEMPTION TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE PERMITS COMMITTEE ON 27TH FEBRUARY, 1925. B.839/1925. Name & Address of Firm: Longton Disabled Soldiers' & Sailors', Cardboard Box Factory, Uttoxeter Road, Longton. Age & Sex of worker: 39. M. Particulars of infirmity: Multiple Gunshot wounds. (in receipt of a 40% permanent pension). Length of time in present employment: 3 years, 9 months. Total experience in the trade: " " Particulars of work: Bonding and slotting of wire stitched boxes. Reason why piecework impracticable: Uniformity of speed not maintained owing to disability. Rate of wages proposed: 43/8d per week of 46½ hours. NOTE: The Inspector's report states that at the time of visiting, this worker was away ill. The work usually performed is wire stitching. He suffers from gunshot wounds in head and arm and has had meningitis. The Manager estimates the worker’s value as 10/- per week. The worker is frequently away through illness and unable to work continuously. He is alleged to be the feeblest case employed and his mind is temporarily affected from time to time and he had to be arrested by his fellow workers. (See also general report at the end). B.840/25. Name and Address of firm: Longton Disabled Soldiers' & Sailors' Cardboard Box Factory, Longton. Age and sex of worker: 37. M. Particulars of infirmity: Gunshot wound right leg, compound fracture (high shoe 4"; and in receipt of a 60% permanent pension. Length of time in present employment: and total experience in the trade: 3 years, 9 months. Particulars of work: Wire stitched boxes (stitching bending and slotting). Reason why piecework impracticable: Uniformity of speed not maintained owing to disability. Rate of wages proposed: 43/8d per week of 46½ hours.
November 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
AWFUL!!

We're preparing the Spiritual Garments ready for the archival summoning of spirits (or document production as it is sometimes known)

More ghostly goings on from the lantern lectures of Henry Sara at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Engraving included in a lantern slide. A selection of 'Spiritual Garments' (corset, stockings and boots are shown in the centre of the image. A series of scenes from a séance are shown around the Garments, including a group of late 19th or early 20th century people in a line holding hands, a curtain being drawn on a seated woman, the caption 'AWFUL!!', and a ghostly woman fleeing past the seated hand-holders, whilst a man flings back the curtain. The slide is one of a series belonging to Henry Sara, who used it to illustrate a lecture on 'The Fraud of Spiritualism'.
October 31, 2025 at 1:09 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
From 'a submarine railway between France and England' in 1877 to 'opportunities ahead' in 1986.....

On 30 October 1990 English and French tunnellers met for the first time underneath the English Channel during the construction of the Channel Tunnel. #ChannelTunnel
Cover of a report by Monsieur A Lavalley 'Submarine Railway (between France and England)'. Written in May 1877 Cover of a leaflet for a conference to be held on June 27 1986. 'The Channel Tunnel: Opportunities ahead'.
October 30, 2025 at 12:29 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
#OTD 1997 Salman Rushdie made a secret visit to Warwick Arts Centre to mark the first anniversary of the Writing at Warwick Programme (also supported by @jonathancoe.bsky.social)

Ephemera relating to his visit and the Writing Programme is in our ‘Student Life’ Exhibition (on until 1 Dec) #Warwick60
Page-long article with the title “Secret Visit – Salman Rushdie makes secret visit to speak at Warick”. The article mentions Rushdie’s belief in freedom of speech and his support for Warwick’s Writing Programme. It also discusses his work The Satanic Verses. On the same page appear details of the Writers at Warwick events, which in those days happened regularly in the Arts Centre, and the names of those who had taken part so far are as well as those due to appear in the coming year.
October 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
Thanks to the Friends of Hemingfield Colliery for welcoming us on Saturday & sharing the brilliant work that they've developed over the years hemingfieldcolliery.org

Very useful to discuss the NUM Mining the Past project with volunteers, whose feedback will help to shape our future engagement work
Group of nine people standing under the remaining pithead gear (part of the winding mechanism for the mineshaft lifts) at Hemingfield Colliery.
October 28, 2025 at 10:52 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
Ready for my close-up!

#BlackCatDay This photograph from the Bristol Unity Players' Club shows the cast of 'On Guard For Spain' (1938) with an unamused black cat.
mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/BUP/...

See our digital collection of archives on the Spanish Civil War warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Black and white photograph from the Bristol Unity Players' Club showing the cast of 'On Guard For Spain' with an unamused black cat.
October 27, 2025 at 12:54 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
'Picture Post: Cry Hungary', 1956

A tribute to a tortured people by the world's reporters and photographers...in aid of the refugees"

On 23 October 1956 tens of thousands of Hungarians took to the streets to demand the end of Soviet rule.

mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/MSX/...
Cover of the 'Picture Post' showing men and women in tears. The caption reads - a tribute to a tortured people by the world's reporters and photographers...in aid of the refugees.
October 23, 2025 at 2:57 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
They're a great set...

The needlework volume probably edges it, but would also thoroughly recommend the laundry and housewifery volumes, with tiny folded paper knickers, nightshirt and handkerchief, and painfully detailed lists of the daily work expected of women in the home
Page from the notebook of Miss W.B. Wakefield, student at Gloucestershire Training College of Domestic Science, 1921-1926. This book was used for notes and illustrations relating to a course of dressmaking, taken during 1925-1926. The page on the left contains an illustration of three women in fashionable clothing. The page on the right contains course notes on dress designs. [document reference: MSS.177/6/1/4] Page from the notebook of Miss W.B. Wakefield, student at Gloucestershire Training College of Domestic Science, 1921-1926. This book was used for notes and illustrations relating to a course on laundry, taken during 1921-1922. The page on the left contains tiny folded knickers, nightdress and handkerchief made out of paper. The page on the right contains course notes on ironing. Page from the notebook of Miss W.B. Wakefield, student at Gloucestershire Training College of Domestic Science, 1921-1926. This book was used for notes and illustrations relating to a course on laundry, taken during 1921-1922. The page on the left contains samples of fabric used during experiments with dyeing. The page on the right contains course notes on dyeing and dyes. Page from the notebook of Miss W.B. Wakefield, student at Gloucestershire Training College of Domestic Science, 1921-1926. This book was used for notes and illustrations relating to a course on housewifery, taken during 1921-1925. The page on the left contains pictures of bathroom appliances cut out of magazines or advertising material. The page on the right contains course notes on 'The cleaning of the bathroom', including lists of the daily work for cleaning the bathroom and lavatory.
October 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
A glimpse of Twenties fashion through the notes of a budding dressmaker in 1926

A student at Gloucestershire Training College of Domestic Science, W.B. Wakefield's notebooks record the practical study deemed suitable for a young woman in the 1920s

mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/ATD/...
Page from the notebook of Miss W.B. Wakefield, student at Gloucestershire Training College of Domestic Science, 1921-1926. This book was used for notes and illustrations relating to a course of dressmaking, taken during 1925-1926. The page on the left contains illustrations of women in fashionable clothing, cut out of magazines or patterns. The page on the right contains course notes on creating rhythm in designs. [document reference: MSS.177/6/1/4]
October 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
It was a privilege to attend the National Union of Mineworkers (Yorkshire Area) Miners’ Memorial Day Service at Wakefield Cathedral on Sunday, an important event commemorating those who have given their lives in Yorkshire’s coal mines

Sharing stories and memories with attendees was a real highlight
Wakefield Cathedral during the National Union of Mineworkers (Yorkshire Area) Miners’ Memorial Day Service on Sunday. The photograph is a view looking down the aisle towards the altar, with people taking their seats before the service. NUM banners are on display around the church. Sarah Hughes, Outreach and Education Co-ordinator, with Steven Wyatt, a committee member of Dodworth and District Miners’ Memorial Fund. They are standing by a table in Wakefield Cathedral, next to a display board showing examples from the NUM and Yorkshire Miners' Association archives.
October 21, 2025 at 11:14 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
Type of chemical worker
(Mrs Bannan, Huddersfield Branch)

Shown here striking a definite pose in 1916, Mrs Bannan was one of a growing number of women who joined the Workers' Union in the early 20th century

More photos of WU campaigns & events, 1911-1921, available at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Black and white photograph of a woman in a dark dress and big boots, standing with one foot on some sort of sack or cushion. She is resting one hand on her hip and the other on a small table to the side of her, whilst glaring at the photographer. The caption reads 'Type of chemical worker (Mrs. Bannan, Huddersfield Branch)'. The image is one of several that were published in the 1916 Workers' Union annual report.
October 20, 2025 at 10:41 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
"We are sun-starved"

Not sure a Collaro Sunray Lamp is the answer....

This advertisement is from September 1939, when people had a lot more on their minds than the lack of sunlight.
Advertisement for Collaro Sunray Lamp, 1939. Features a drawing of a woman wearing protective goggles convalescing in bed. The sunlamp is on the bedside table sending out healing rays.
October 16, 2025 at 1:52 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
🚨 😾 VICTORIAN EMERGENCY CAT TRICYCLE 😾 🚨

Pop a card in the London post in 1896, & a chauffeur driven tricycle would collect your pet for care & cure, providing a smooth springed ride to the Hampstead infirmary

More Cycling World Illustrated gems digitised at mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/CTC/...
Part of a page from 'The Cycling World Illustrated', 26 August 1896. It includes photos of a tricycle for collecting cats (complete with uniformed driver) and the Cats' Infirmary, Hampstead (a pen of cats of varying sizes in someone's house, one of the cats is being cuddled by what appears to be the tricycle driver). The accompanying text reads: "A philanthropic lady in the North of London has established an infirmary for cats. On receipt of a postcard she will send for the ailing animal, the tricycle which collects them being provided with a box resting on springs to avoid all jarring and jolting. The cats are carefully tended at the infirmary, where their quarters and most comfortable, and when cured are returned to their owners, no charge being made."
October 15, 2025 at 11:53 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
'The Arts Britain Ignores', an Arts Council report published in 1976, proved the catalyst for the creation of the Minority Arts Advisory Service by the report's author Naseem Khan

The MAAS archive shows the artistic depth of work promoted by MAAS in the 1970s-80s mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/MAA
Edition of 'Echo', the newspaper of the Minority Arts Advisory Service, published in 1978. The headlines highlight articles on 'Diwali: The Festival of Lights', 'Tower Hamlets Carnival Against Racism' and 'Radical Alliance of Poets and Players', A photo of a Diwali event is also included. Front cover of 'Black Linx', magazine published by the Charles Wootton Centre and Merseyside Community Relations Council, February 1984. The cover image is of a Black man holding a young child (possibly his son). They are smiling at each other. Front cover of National Book League pamphlet 'A Visible Presence', 1985. It includes a photo of four young Black women and men. The two men are towards the back, looking off to one side (one is wearing a football scarf). The two women are looking towards the camera, smiling (one is holding an Anti-Nazi League sign). Front cover of the booklet 'Appropriation & Control: A Photographic Exploration of Black Images' by the photographer David A. Bailey, published c.1984-1985.
October 14, 2025 at 12:05 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
As cold and flu season kicks in, we're adjusting the office decor accordingly

These Tony Hancock-esque posters were issued by the Ministry of Health in 1958 #HistMed

[ mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/POW/... ]
1958 Ministry of Health poster. It includes two mugshots of a moustached and sneezing man, and the caption: 'WANTED ... a handkerchief COUGHS & SNEEZES SPREAD DISEASES Trap the germs in your handkerchief'/ 1958 Ministry of Health poster. It includes includes a picture of a dinner queue, with a moustached man sneezing into a plate of food. The other four members of the canteen queue are glaring at him. The caption reads: 'coughs and sneezes spread diseases.. .. trap the germs in your handkerchief'.
October 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
On #WorldMentalHealthDay we're sharing a leaflet from the TUC archive encouraging nurses to take a break. The leaflet also highlights the dangers of work place stress and exhaustion. Be fair to yourself! #histnursing #histmed #archives #MRCArchives

mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/TUC/...
Page from 'Off Duty' dated 1937. Headed 'Self-sacrifice' it is illustrated with a picture of a stressed looking nurse alongside a patient. Part of the text reads 'be fair to yourself - and you will be fair to your patients'. There is also a photograph of nurses standing next to a statue of Florence Nightingale. Photograph of two nurses taking a well-earned tea break. Captioned 'Off duty'.
October 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM
mrcwarwick.bsky.social
In 1968, against the backdrop of the Race Relations Act and Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech, local Birmingham groups campaigned against racism and in support of civil rights

The archives of activist Margaret Stanton capture some of the grassroots activities mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/MSP/...
Ticket for the inaugural meeting of the Birmingham Area Civil Rights Campaign. Photograph from the Birmingham Post, 6 May 1968, captioned 'A grim struggle for the police as they link arms to hold back the large crowd of demonstrators in Victoria Square, Birmingham, yesterday during the Prime Minister's visit'. The most visible placard says 'Would you let your daughter marry Enoch Powell'. Letter sent to newspaper editors in August 1968 by the Birmingham Committee of the International Year for Human Rights. It deplores "the recent recommendations of the Birmingham City Council that all immigration into the city should be stopped, and we affirm that this policy is both morally wrong, and unworkable in practise. We remind the Council that the prosperity of this great city has been built on a long tradition of welcoming immigrants of all races. ... The proud motto of Birmingham is "Forward". Let the Council abandon its present backward-looking policy, and go forward to lead the nation in creating a society in which all races can work together in harmony." Circular issued by the Birmingham Area Civil Rights Campaign Steering Group in 1968. It identifies four main fields of activity for the newly formed Birmingham Area Civil Rights Campaign: education, research, community action and political activity.
October 9, 2025 at 10:57 AM