Guildhall Library @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social

The Library of London History.
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries/guildhall-library

⭐️'The Chronicles of France' (1371-1435?) is a medieval treasure held by Guildhall Library since at least 1516. About French history up to 1380, with beautiful miniatures by Ravenelle Painter ⭐️

Part of our free current Guildhall 600 exhibition celebrating 600 years! Closes at the end of April 2026.
0
0
6
🎉We are open this Saturday 11th April!🎉

Only a few tickets left: bit.ly/4cdpcNL

Please join us for an in depth look at our new exhibition, Guildhall Library 600! Senior Librarian Melanie Strong will share the stories of the objects on display & delve deeper into the history of the original library
0
0
1
🌟Welcome to Guildhall Library's event programme for May-August 2026! bit.ly/4bViJYQ

Please book via Eventbrite here: bit.ly/4meCYnK
0
0
3
Did you know we have rooms available for hire from £20 per hour?

Accessible and in the heart of the City.

Contact us to find out more! 📞
0
0
0
Easter is quickly approaching, we hope you don’t see the devil on Easter Monday—unlike the poor Londoners of 1841, who swore they did at the Greenwich Fair.

You can read their totally true account at Guildhall Library (shelf mark: PAM 3107).
0
0
4
It’s April Fools’ Day! 🤡

To celebrate, we’re spotlighting our copy of The Book of Blockheads (1863) by Charles Bennett (shelf mark: BAY H 6.6 NO 10).

“Blockhead” was a term used to describe someone foolish or lacking wisdom.
0
0
3
New blog post! 🖥️

Women’s History Month is ending! 🎭 We’re celebrating Aphra Behn and The Amorous Prince (1671)—and why they still matter today.

Read more:
0
0
4
Guildhall Library will be closed Monday 6th April for the bank holiday.

Normal opening hours will resume Tuesday 7th April.
0
0
3
A small but mighty book in our collections - 'The World's Smallest English Dictionary', published circa 1890 by David Bryce, complete with its original metal box. ✨

Part of our current Guildhall 600 exhibition celebrating 600 years! Closes at the end of April 2026.
0
1
8
We must thank a Victorian visitor for preserving this guide book to @kewgardens from 1854 [PAM 228]!

Printed on cheap paper but full of information about the gardens, highlights such as the Palm House, and descriptions of trees and plants from around the world. 🌴
0
1
8
It's always fascinating to see how London has developed by old maps. The elegant 'Bacon's Pocket Atlas of London' from 1911 (PAM 21867) would have been carried around while navigating the clearer streets and Tube of the time.
1
0
7
Not only do we have wonderful special collection we also have an inspiring selection of new books about many aspects of London and it's great history...📚📖
0
0
2
‘An almanack or prognostication for… 1658’ (S PAM 173) by Sarah Jinner of London who wrote a series of almanacs in 1658-1664. Considered to be one of the first women to be a professional writer.

These were aimed at educated people and included forecasts for the year and medical remedies for women.
0
0
5
New blog post 🖥️

Read our guide on Stock Exchange yearbooks to help with your research 📚️
0
0
2
There's still time to see our 600th anniversary exhibition!

On display is our oldest book, medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and some Victorian and modern publications which tells the history of Guildhall Library.

Open Monday - Thursday, 10am-4pm.

Exhibition closes end of April.
0
0
6
♻️ Today is Global Recycling Day! ♻️

This year’s theme: Don’t think waste. Think opportunity.

Why not grab one of our second-hand books on sale? 📚
Recycling 1 ton of paper can save 17 trees 🌳
0
0
4
🍀🪉 Happy St Patrick’s Day! 🍀🪉

To celebrate, we're sharing a page from the Illustrated London News detailing St Patrick's Day in London in 1844.
0
0
5
Last week we digitised “Te Deum” (1720) by George Frideric Handel—including the bassoon/cello part and four Chandos anthems (G MUS 366).

This copy comes from our Gresham Music Collection, housed at Guildhall Library since 1958. 🎼📜
0
0
7
💐Spring is a time to get out into the garden, ‘Glenny’s Garden Almanac and Florists’ Directory’ of 1873 might help (PAM 22294) With advice on creating the most productive garden & adverts for all kinds of gardening tools. 🪏

Part of the vast pamphlet collection here full of everyday materials.
0
0
3
We have found this elegant book 'Fans and Fan Leaves',1888-1890 (ST 420.4) by Lady Charlotte Schreiber who was a collector.

Fans were fascinating aspect of the Regency period and had a language of their own. And a regular feature of Jane Austen novels and Bridgerton ✨
0
0
9
These documents show a transfer of property from a daughter, Ellen Madour, to her mother, Emma Harding, in 1349.
They show how women were able to gain more power and agency during the period of the Black Death which had ravaged London & gave them a chance to have more control within their lives.
0
0
5
A reader recently looked at these incredible collections of architectural drawings from 1885 for the Stock Exchange offices (MS19927)
0
0
3
To celebrate #internationalwomensday we remember the thousands of women who were employed in the shipyards during the Second World War 🧑‍🏭🛠️

From the Newall Dunn collection – one of the world’s most comprehensive photographic and ephemera resources for Merchant Shipping history. 🚢
0
0
2
Today we found this beautiful copy of 'The history of Clerkenwell' (1865) by William John Pinks.

The volume contains a colourful map of Clerkenwell, architectural drawings, and illustrations of daily life throughout history.

Shelf mark: SL 95:29
0
0
7
🐝 Today is World Wildlife Day 🐛

To celebrate, we're sharing vibrant insect illustrations from The Natural History of British Insects, Vol. 1 (1813) by Edward Donovan. 🦋✨

Shelf mark: AN 10.2.1

#wildlife #worldwildlifeday #insects #rarebooks
0
0
5
New blog post 🖥️

Looking for company Annual Reports? Learn how to access and use them at Guildhall Library.

Read here:
0
0
2
'Follies and Fashions of our Grandfathers....' (1807) (S 391:00941) was a popular journal in the early 1800s. A satirical and eccentric look at fashionable society, culture, sport & fashion. It was common at the time to compile features from other journals quite shamelessly. 😀
1
0
6
Need some ideas for Spring days out? How about learning to fly at Hendon Aerodrome, circa 1914…🛩️

‘Flying at Hendon: First Spring meeting….’ 1914 (PAM 23853) lists all forthcoming events and offers flying lessons and fun flights to anyone brave enough 😯
0
0
3
Our current exhibition celebrates the 600th anniversary of the library! 🎉The exhibition traces the history of the original library and displays many library treasures. As well as a look at the current Guildhall Library founded in 1824.

Open Monday-Thursday 10-4. Free and no booking required!
0
0
5
Spring is the time to think of booking a holiday, maybe a cruise... 🛳️

These elegant leaflets for White Star Line are from the Newall Dunn collection – one of the world’s most comprehensive, rich, & fascinating photographic & ephemera resources for Merchant Shipping history. Available to see here!⚓️
0
0
3
Load more