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Guildhall Library
@guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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The Library of London History.
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries/guildhall-library
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guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
A quick peek inside our stores 👀💫
January 22, 2026 at 11:50 AM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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 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.
January 21, 2026 at 3:15 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Online resources update 🖥️⚠️

Guildhall Library now offers unlimited seats to The British Newspaper Archive 🎉 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
Image of a computer with the British Newspaper Archive registration page open.
January 20, 2026 at 12:21 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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.
January 19, 2026 at 12:26 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
'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. 🛡️🦁
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)
January 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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.
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.
January 15, 2026 at 3:53 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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. 📖
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.
January 14, 2026 at 4:58 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
#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...
Shakespeare in Art
No playwright has been subject to as much interpretation as Shakespeare.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 3:29 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
⭐️ In-Person History and Treasures talk ⭐️

Wednesday 28th January - 6pm - FREE

Join our librarians to learn about the history of Guildhall Library and view some of the library’s amazing treasures. 📖

Please book via: Guildhall Library Eventbrite page #freetalk

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-person-...
Image of an elaborate illustrated letter D in red, blue inks and gold leaf. Handwritten script around the right side.
January 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Looking for affordable room hire in the heart of the City of London? 🧑‍💻🙋‍♀️

We have 2 accessible rooms available for meetings, training sessions or talks from £20 per hour! For bookings on weekdays only between 9am-4:30pm. We're located between Bank & Moorgate stations.

Contact us to find out more!
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. £20 per hour. Comes with display screen, flipchart and free wifi. The Walbrook room set out in theatre setting. Maximum 21 chairs.
January 9, 2026 at 5:03 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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! 📖⭐️
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.
January 8, 2026 at 5:02 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Back in June 2025 we mentioned secret filming taking place with our copy of Shakespeare’s 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...
January 7, 2026 at 1:22 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Wonderful image of a frost fair on the Thames in 1814. ❄️

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.❄️🎠
Black and white image showing a view of a frost fair on the Thames during a freezing winter in 1814.
January 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
#Event on Wed 7 Jan, 2pm: "Dick Whittington – 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...
Dick Whittington – The Man behind the Myth
One of the City of London’s most famous citizens.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
A Happy New Year to all our customers!🎉

'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 ❄️
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.
January 5, 2026 at 4:58 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
We are now closed for the holidays ❄️🎄 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! 🥳

We re-open on Monday 5th January.
December 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Christmas is nearly here 🎄

Just a reminder, Guildhall Library will be closed 24 December to 4 January 📆

We re-open at 10am on Monday 5th January 2026 🎉

For some last minute research or Christmas presents, you can visit the library today and tomorrow, between 10am to 4pm 🙂
December 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
⭐Children have always wanted the latest toys for Christmas. 🎅This brochure from 1938 for the famous Gamages department store (1878-1972) in Holborn shows the latest must-have toys (LARGE PAM 497) ⭐
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 – the all-steel body motor car. 1938. Advert showing a set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves stuffed dolls . 1938
December 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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-...
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.
December 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
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. 🍰🎄
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.
December 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
'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.
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)
December 16, 2025 at 9:52 AM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Here is another one of our Christmas Treasures - Mrs. Brown's Christmas Box by Arthur Sketchley (shelf mark: AN 2 1.4.16)🎄🎁

A Christmas box is a German tradition, typically filled with treats for children to enjoy on Christmas Eve 🍬
December 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Have you heard any carols lately? 👀🎶

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.
December 11, 2025 at 12:06 PM
guildhalllibrary.bsky.social
Many of our Christmas traditions come from the Victorians. Mistletoe décor dates to the 1700s, but Victorian Britain made kissing under it popular. While, Prince Albert helped turn the Christmas tree into a holiday staple .

These images from Christmastide by William Sandys (S 394:2663) show both.
December 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM
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In 1860, the well-known satirical magazine Punch released 'Punch's games for Christmas, evening parties & all the year round' (PAM 2055). o This collection offered a plethora of ideas for festive amusement, capturing the essence of Victorian entertainment🎄
December 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM