@guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
The Library of London History. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries/guildhall-library
The Guildhall Libraryโs horticulture collection, founded in 1891 by the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, holds 500+ works by figures like Thomas Fairchild and John Tradescant the Younger.
Hidden gems include Flower Lore (1879), published in 1876 to resemble an early printed book ๐ฟ
Colour drawing of a crocodile, circa 1760s
Colour drawings of different types of whales, circa 1760s
Depiction of a 1700s sailing ship, a cross section and different parts of the ship shown around it, circa 1760s
One of the real pleasures of special collections is the chance of discovering materials that are simply magnificent & possibly haven't been opened for years... ๐ฎ
'Atlas novum terrarum orbis urbes earumque regiones', 1762 (?) by Johanne Baptista Homanni (AN 8.6.4)๐ฆ
St Paul's detail from the 'Atlas novus terrarum orbis urbes earumque....', 1762 by Johann Baptiste Hamann (AN 8.6.4)
Map of London from the 'Atlas novus terrarum orbis urbes earumque....', 1762 by Johann Baptiste Hamann (AN 8.6.4)
State lottery tickets bound into a volume, 1780 (SR 6.2)
A walking trail in Shropshire. From a volume of 'The book of walks', 1981. By John Lloyd and Pat Sellars. hand-drawn and written in medieval style. (AN 11.3)
Last night we held a special evening edition of our History & Treasures talk about the history of Guildhall Library. On display were a number of book treasures from our collections ๐๐
We hope this will be the first of regular free evening events to show such special materials from our stores. ๐
Etching showing a view of the Thames in the mid-late 1700s showing the newly-built Adelphi housing development to the left by brothers John, Robert and James Adam. From 'The works in architecture of.... Robert and James Adam....' 1822 (ST. 428.6) Large scale book, approx A2 size pages.
A fold-out feature showing the theatres of London, early 1800s. From 'A companion to the theatres: and manual of the British drama' 1829 by Horace Foote. (SL 28)
Colour etching of the interior of Drury Lane Theatre. From 'Microcosm of London', 1808-11, by Rudolph Ackermann (BAY H 9.6 NO 9)
Yesterday Senior Librarian Isabelle Chevellot gave a Collections Focus talk on Londonโs Neoclassical Architecture. Exploring the work of architects Robert Adam, George Dance the Younger, John Soane, John Nash & Robert Smirke. ๐ฆ On display were books from our collections showing plans and drawings. ๐
28.01.2026 16:53 โ ๐ 2 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Stock Exchange Company Reports box files on shelves.
A bound copy of Stock Exchange Company Reports. Labelled Commercial Industrial 1928-29, R-Si.
A bound copy of Stock Exchange Company Reports opened up, showing listings and other details.
Bookbinders label - E. Couchman & Co Ltd - inside a bound copy of Stock Exchange Company Reports. Late 1920s.
We have volunteering opportunities on our Stock Exchange Annual Report project. Please contact us if you are interested!
This started in 2008 & is run by volunteers. The aim is to index all Stock Exchange Company Reports working backwards from 1965 to about 1880. We are up to 1927/28 at present.
Branding for the 600th anniversary exhibition combining lettering and numbers from treasures in the collections.
A gold leaf and ink illustration of knights confronting each other on horseback and standing. in the 13th century 'Chronicles of France' By Ravenelle Artist.
'The Survey of London' by John Stow in 1598 is part of our new Guildhall Library 600th anniversary exhibition that includes treasures from our collections. It is the most detailed book on London during Elizabethan times. Stow goes ward by ward through the City, detailing buildings, churches, businesses & points of interest.
The World's Smallest English Dictionary published circa 1890 by David Bryce, Glasgow. Still with its original tin holder.
Our current exhibition marks the 600th anniversary of the library! Tracing the history of the original library, it features medieval manuscripts, early printed books & Elizabethan historians. Also takes a look at the current Guildhall Library founded in 1824.
Open Mon-Thurs 10-4. Free! No booking!
Have you seen our new events brochure? We hosting numerous events in the upcoming months, including guided walks, collections focus talks with rare books on display, and in-person and online talks on art and history.
Discover all our events on Eventbrite : www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/guildhall-...
A quick peek inside our stores ๐๐ซ
22.01.2026 11:50 โ ๐ 15 ๐ 3 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Image of Guildhall Library's copy of 'The Ladies most elegant and convenient pocket book' 1785. Inside shows hand written diary entries mentioning Guildhall.
Image of Guildhall Library's copy of 'The Ladies most elegant and convenient pocket book' 1785. Inside shows hand written diary entries mentioning Guildhall. This is a close up of the first image.
The images are from 'The Ladies most elegant and convenient pocket book' 1785, a diary for upper-class women to manage social and financial life.
Our copy is well-used, and while the writer is unknown, they had close ties to Guildhall, recording rides, dinners, and meetings with the Lord Mayor.
Image of a computer with the British Newspaper Archive registration page open.
Online resources update ๐ฅ๏ธโ ๏ธ
Guildhall Library now offers unlimited seats to The British Newspaper Archive ๐ No need to request a login from staff - simply register online for your own account and enjoy unrestricted access while in the library!
We still offer a login with you don't wish to sign up
The French Revolution transformed fashion, as the gentry swapped extravagant garments and hair accessories for simpler clothing inspired by Ancient Greece and Rome.
Images taken from 'Our Grandmothers' Gowns' by Mrs Alfred Hunt (shelf mark: S 391:2 ) which illustrate post-revolution fashion trends.
4 elaborate coats of arms for City of London livery companies - the Founders; the Embroiderers; the Poulters and the Cooks. (1677)
4 elaborate coats of arms for City of London livery companies - the Curriers; the Masons, the Plumbers and the Innholders (1677)
'London's armory accuratly delineated in a graphical display of all the arms, crests.... of every company and corporate societie in the City of London' by Richard Wallis (1677) (GR 3.3.7)
A striking collection of the coats of arms of various City of London livery companies. ๐ก๏ธ๐ฆ
Black and white image of a coffee stall/cart with 4 people around it. 1850s/60s
A coster-girl selling apples from a large tray she is holding up. A whole family would be involved in selling goods in the street when old enough. 1850s/60s.
An oyster stall with 2 men wearing top hats standing at it. One is eating an oyster. 1850s/60s
A coster-girl and boy try to trick a pie seller, who is standing next to his stall in apron and a top hat. 1850s/60s.
Street food stalls of Victorian London were operated by costermongers, the working poor. Henry Mayhew's 'London Labour and the London Poor' of 1864 (SL 61:4) a ground-breaking survey carried out over 1851-62. Contains first hand accounts & statistics that gave a true picture of life on the streets.
15.01.2026 15:53 โ ๐ 9 ๐ 2 ๐ฌ 1 ๐ 0
Decorative yellow and green Art Nouveau style cover of 'Leaves from Pepys' Diary' published by Gay & Hancock Ltd, 1910.
Double spread with the ornate black & white title page on the right and opposite a list of other mini classics in the Bibelot series, such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Shakespeare's Sonnets.
The Bibelots were a decorative series of mini classics published in early 1900s. 'Leaves from Pepys' Diary' of 1910 (PEPYS 483) contains a collection of quotes from Samuel Pepys Diary under headings such as Observances, Dress, Sports & Pastimes - making the book accessible & affordable to many. ๐
14.01.2026 16:58 โ ๐ 4 ๐ 3 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
#Event on Wed 14 Jan, 2pm: "Shakespeare in Art" talk by Val Woodgate, Arts Society Lecturer.
The variety of narratives in Shakespeare launched the careers of many artists in Britain in the 18th century.
Please book via: #free #onlinetalk
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shakespear...
Image of an elaborate illustrated letter D in red, blue inks and gold leaf. Handwritten script around the right side.
โญ๏ธ In-Person History and Treasures talk โญ๏ธ
Wednesday 28th January - 6pm - FREE
Join our librarians to learn about the history of Guildhall Library and view some of the libraryโs amazing treasures. ๐
Please book via: Guildhall Library Eventbrite page #freetalk
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-person-...
Display screen showing a print of old London circa 1600s. Ideal for meetings.
The smaller of our meeting rooms, the Walbrook set out in boardroom style. Maximum 10 chairs. ยฃ20 per hour. Comes with display screen, flipchart and free wifi.
The Walbrook room set out in theatre setting. Maximum 21 chairs.
Looking for affordable room hire in the heart of the City of London? ๐งโ๐ป๐โโ๏ธ
We have 2 accessible rooms available for meetings, training sessions or talks from ยฃ20 per hour! For bookings on weekdays only between 9am-4:30pm. We're located between Bank & Moorgate stations.
Contact us to find out more!
We hold one of the only original copies of Shakespeare's First Folio. It is shown here open on a book rest, alongside copies of Othello and Henry V.
Several bookshelves full of books on London's history and culture, available on the open shelves in the Library.
An illustrated letter from a page of 'Chronicles of France', the 14th-century work by the Ravenelle Artist.
The title page of John Stow's 1598 'Survay of London', held in our collections. John Stow also gives his name to one of the Library's meeting rooms.
Guildhall Library is the largest collection in the world devoted to the history of a single city. We are a public reference library with 200,000 titles dating from the 15th to the 21st centuries.
We are open 10am-4pm, Monday to Thursday.
Come and discover the extraordinary story of London! ๐โญ๏ธ
Back in June 2025 we mentioned secret filming taking place with our copy of Shakespeareโs First Folio in the Guildhall. We are pleased to announce this was part of the programme, 'Judi Dench: Shakespeare, my family and me' aired on Channel 4.
You can watch it here www.channel4.com/programmes/j...
Black and white image showing a view of a frost fair on the Thames during a freezing winter in 1814.
Wonderful image of a frost fair on the Thames in 1814. โ๏ธ
Part of a fascinating scrapbook 'Bartholomew, Frost and Suburban Fairs consisting of portraits, rare views, cuttings, music etc.1718-1890'. (GR 3.3.1) Collected by A. Beevor Osborne.โ๏ธ๐
#Event on Wed 7 Jan, 2pm: "Dick Whittington โ The Man behind the Myth" talk by Jill Finch, City Guide.
There is more to Dick Whittington than the pantomime - separating fact from fiction.
Please book via: Guildhall Library Eventbrite page #free #onlinetalk
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dick-whitt...
Title page of 'Frostiana: or a history of the river Thames in a frozen state' (A 7.3 No 77) with added blue snowflakes
Chapter heading 'Thames frozen 1814' - an account of the state of the frozen river Thames. With added blue snowflakes.
Heading of a chronological table of dates back in history of when the river Thames froze over. With added blue snowflakes.
A Happy New Year to all our customers!๐
'Frostiana; or a history of the Thames in a frozen state' (A 7.3 NO 77) pub. in 1814 is a history of the Thames freezing over, winter fairs & hazards of the cold. Copies of this book were printed on a press set up on the frozen Thames during a fair in 1814 โ๏ธ
We are now closed for the holidays โ๏ธ๐ Thank you to all who has visited Guildhall Library this year. We look forward to welcoming you again in 2026!
Wishing everyone a joyful holidays and a happy new year! ๐ฅณ
We re-open on Monday 5th January.
Christmas is nearly here ๐
Just a reminder, Guildhall Library will be closed 24 December to 4 January ๐
We re-open at 10am on Monday 5th January 2026 ๐
For some last minute research or Christmas presents, you can visit the library today and tomorrow, between 10am to 4pm ๐
Festive-themed page from the Gamages brochure showing adverts for a rocking horse, a pram, a mini-typewriter and train set. 1938.
Advert of a girl sitting in a model drive-along car โ the all-steel body motor car. 1938.
Advert showing a set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves stuffed dolls . 1938
โญChildren have always wanted the latest toys for Christmas. ๐ This brochure from 1938 for the famous Gamages department store (1878-1972) in Holborn shows the latest must-have toys (LARGE PAM 497) โญ
18.12.2025 13:38 โ ๐ 8 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Cover of new Guildhall Library events programme for Jan-Apr 2026 with photos of Dick Whittington; a sculpture of a couple at St Pancras Station; the 600 years anniversary exhibition at the library.
Welcome to Guildhall Library's new events programme for January-April 2026!
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Thing...
Please book ahead on Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/guildhall-...
Decorative and colourful cover 'Visions of Sugarplums...' (1968) Title surrounded by images of cakes and biscuits.
Diagram and instructions of how to make a gingerbread house.
Image of a decorated Yule Log as part of the recipe.
With a cover as ornate as a Christmas decoration, 'Visions of Sugarplums...' by Mimi Sheraton (1968) (ED 368) is a collection of Christmas recipes and confections. Part of Elizabeth David's own collection held here. ๐ฐ๐
16.12.2025 16:44 โ ๐ 5 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Illustration of a man in a grand bed with a kneeling figure in cloak at the bedside.
Three figures in regal clothing and crowns, two seated and one standing, offering a glass of wine.
A regal figure standing in an arched doorway banishing the same young couple at the bottom of some steps.
Title page of Stenelaus and Amylda (1862)
'Stenelaus and Amylda: A Christmas Legend' published 1862 (PAM 1480) With illustrations by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) who also illustrated the works of Charles Dickens (1812-1870) A tale of temperance.
16.12.2025 09:52 โ ๐ 2 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0
Here is another one of our Christmas Treasures - Mrs. Brown's Christmas Box by Arthur Sketchley (shelf mark: AN 2 1.4.16)๐๐
A Christmas box is a German tradition, typically filled with treats for children to enjoy on Christmas Eve ๐ฌ
Have you heard any carols lately? ๐๐ถ
We found a collection of Christmas carols at the back of William Sandys' 'Christmastide : its history, festivities, and carols' (shelf mark: S 394:2663). It gives a glimpse into the songs sung in 1825.
