Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham

@theironroom

Preserving & sharing 800 years of Birmingham's history at the Library of Birmingham. For enquiries, please email archives.heritage@birmingham.gov.uk Follow our blog @ www.theironroom.wordpress.com More info @ birmingham.gov.uk/archives

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Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· 26d

#SundayShowcase is The Story and Language of Heraldry by Stephen Slater. A good introduction to comprehending and interpreting the development of coats of arms and heraldic symbols. Ref – A 929.6 #LibraryofBham

A book on a table - front cover facing on. Title at the top of the cover is The Story and Language of Heraldry. Below is a reproduction of a medieval drawing of figures in long boats with banners flying from poles. Behind the table is a large bookcase.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· 27d

#CityOf1000Trades Morland and Impey Ltd. - historically known as Kalamazoo Limited had their head office in Northfield. They began in the field of business stationery and evolved into providing IT services. Ref – Trade Catalogue Collection #LibraryofBham

Front cover of a trade catalogue. Colour illustration of a native American wearing full headdress and holding a staff. They are looking out onto an expanse of water from a wooded focal point. A series of wigwams across the banks of the water. The words Kalamazoo loose leaf books at the top of the illustration and For Office Efficiency in the bottom left.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· 28d

#PhotoFriday today is this 1958 aerial photograph of the area surrounding Baskerville House and the Hall of Memory. Interestingly, the land now occupied by the library was a car park then. Ref - WK/B11/4411 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

An aerial photo of a city centre. A large white building in the mid background with a small circular construct outside of it. A stretch of grass to the left of the circular edifice. A car park to the left of the large white building. An amalgam of other buildings and roads around. A large car park in the bottom left of the photo.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· 29d

#BMAG Today we bring you this 1890 catalogue of the collection of paintings and a special collection of works by David Cox (1783 – 1859) at Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum. Ref – L 50.1 D/2 #LibraryofBham #BM_AG

Front cover of a Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery catalogue of the paintings, oils and water colours of David Cox. Price Sixpence. Artistic border at the top of the catalogue.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 15

Today is #StSwithinsDay - Are we going to see any proper rain this summer? Perhaps we need to offer a prayer at St. Swithin’s Church, Barston. Ref - MS 3015/3/page 38, Aylesford Collection #LibraryofBham #charliepuss1 #StSwithinsChurchBarston

Etching of a church. The building is divided into three parts - left to right : a bell tower with a weathervane on top, then a central block with an entrance and finally smaller block with two windows and another door. The church is surrounded by trees on both sides. A gravestone in the left foreground and a monument in the centre foreground. Behind the church on the top right of the illustration is the frontage of a house.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 14

#MapOnATuesday is this Diagram Plan of the City of Birmingham showing area, population and positions of cemeteries. Published by the City of Birmingham Parks and Cemeteries Department in 1934. Ref - MAP/424078 #LibraryofBham

A map. A series of very thin circles making their way from the centre of the map. Each with information on the mileage radius from the city centre. Title in the top left of the map is Diagram plan of the City of Birmingham. Beneath this, details regard the acreage and population of Birmingham. The map of Birmingham is divided into several geographical sections. Each with details regards annexation to the City of Birmingham. Some of the sections have details about cemeteries within their boundaries. A compass in the top right of the map and a scale in the bottom right.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 13

Don’t forget to join us on Saturday for Gareth’s talk – The Impossible Bomb, the story of the British scientists who enabled the Manhattan Project, including Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls of Birmingham University: tinyurl.com/TheImpossibl... #LibraryofBham #UoBSchool @instituteofphysics.bsky.app

Title of the book is The Impossible Bomb. Author’s name in the mid – bottom right is Gareth Williams. A geometric shape running through the front cover. A series of square panels on the cover. The image of the atomic mushroom cloud in the central panel below the word impossible.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 13

#FIFAWorldCup Going back to when football came home in 1966 with this Birmingham City Council Information Department Souvenir of the World Cup, 1966 : [a guide to Birmingham]. Ref – L 25.14 #LibraryofBham #FIFAWorldCup @fifaclubworldcup.bsky.social

Two overlapping circles - the one on the left is a football and the one on the right contains a photograph of Birmingham city centre with the rotunda as the main focal point. The word Birmingham is written along the curve of the lower half of this circle. The words Souvenir of The World Cup 1966 above the curve of the top half of the football in the top left hand corner of the image.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 11

#CityOf1000Trades today is a veritable panoply of establishments to while away time in Brum during the 1960s. Ballroom dancing, ice and roller skating. Who could have asked for more? Ref – L 25.14 World Cup 1966 Souvenir #LibraryofBham

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 10

#Harborne #PhotoFriday today is this 1910 platinotype print of Harborne Free Library. The library was officially opened on 12 November 1892 and housed in the former Masonic Hall on Harborne High Street. Ref – WK/H6/36 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

Photograph of the exterior of a two storey building. Facia at the top of the front of the building reads – Free Library. Four windows in a row in the top storey and three on the ground floor with an entrance on the far right of the photograph. Metal railings separating the building from the pavement.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 9

#BhamWomen Gwynedd M. Lewis applied to be called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in June 1939. Let’s hope she was successful. Part of our Birmingham Biography Cuttings Collection, Vol. 30 Ref – Birmingham Gazette 16 June 1939 #LIbraryofBham

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 7

#MapOnATuesday is A.H. Biermann’s Monumental plan of Birmingham, 1871. A coloured street map with pictorial representations of 158 public buildings and subscribing business premises. Ref - MAP/73259 #LibraryofBham

A coloured map – sections shaded in different colours. Legend in the bottom left corner identifying this as the monumental plan of Birmingham, 1871 published by Biermann. A key in the bottom right of the map indicating what all of the numbers on the plan relate to. A series of icons in the form of buildings distributed across the map. The map is one of Birmingham city centre.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 6

For today’s blog, we celebrate the inscription of another of our collections onto the UNESCO Memory of the World National Register - theironroom.wordpress.com/2026/07/06/a... This is one of only 5 new inscriptions to be added in this round of nominations #LibraryofBham #UNESCOUK @unesco.org

A page of handwriting - the top two paragraphs. The number 302206 in the top left of the page.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 6

Pleased to announce we’re part of the Sounds of the Midlands project to preserve at-risk sound archives across the Midlands. The University of Leicester has been awarded £282,082 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to spearhead the project #LibraryofBham #uniofleicester

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 5

#SundayShowcase today is Birmingham : A Study in Geography, History and Planning by Gordon E. Cherry. First published in 1994, the book is still requested to this day. An exploration in part on the achievements of civic government. Ref - L 56.4 #LibraryofBham

Copy of a book on a table – front cover facing on. The title of the book at the top of the front cover is Birmingham followed below this by the subtitle - a study in geography, history and planning. Beneath this is an illustrated colour representation of Birmingham city centre including the Council House and Town Hall. Below this is the name of the author. An office environment behind the table on which the book is resting. A desk directly behind. A doorway in the far left background and a window in the far right.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 4

#CityOf1000Trades is Martin Billing - manufactures of envelopes, letter - presses, lithographic and copper - plate printers, Livery Street. The company also held premises on Charles Henry Street in the 1850s. Ref - New Illustrated Directory (1858) LF 06 #LibraryofBham

An illustrated advertisement in a cartouche style. An elaborate archway surrounds the illustration which dominates the top half of the image. A female figure in the Greco - Roman style on the left of the arch sat with a paintbrush and easel. A male figure on the right with draughtman’s tool and board and a globe by his feet. The bust of a female figure with an ornate flourish in the bottom centre of the illustration. The illustration inside the cartouche surround is a skyline view of a factory - the frontage of which is in the foreground and the workshops in the background. Smoking chimneys populate the scene. The scene on the pavement in front of the factory is heavily populated with pedestrians and vehicles.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 3

#PhotoFriday is the old Birmingham Women's Hospital. First established in Sparkhill in 1871, the hospital relocated to a converted farmhouse on the Stratford Road in 1878 and then a new facility on Showell Green Lane in 1905. Ref – WK/S10/39 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic #BWH_NHS

Photograph of a three storey building. Facia between the top and middle row of windows on the front of the building reads – Birmingham Hospital for Women. Sign in the middle of the front garden of the property. Another sign hording to the side of the building by a panelled fence. Another property to the right of the building. A road in front of the property and a tree on the far left of the photograph.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 2

#BhamOrgan #BhamWomen Christine Smye was the first woman elected president of the Birmingham Organists’ Association in March 1939. Ref – Birmingham Mail 8 March 1939 #LIbraryofBham #BhamOrgan #BOA

A newspaper article. Headline is Organists’ President. Text below outlining the appointment of Christine Smye to the position of president of the Birmingham Organists’ Association. A photograph of a female figure in the bottom right of the page - she has her hair styled in a bob. Below this a caption providing her name.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 1

Check out additions to our digital gallery - Preservica Universal Access which includes the ‘Book Marks’ project (MS 5244) - which includes interviews on the impact of libraries on our lives. birmingham.access.preservica.com/index.php?na.... #LIbraryofBham #PHCooperative

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jul 1

#HorseRacing #Bromford the race card for the last meeting at Bromford Bridge racecourse on 21 June 1965. The racecourse was opened in 1894 with the first meeting in 1895. Ref - LF 25.41 #LibraryofBham

A race card. Text at the top of the card reads – Birmingham Farewell (Evening) Meeting. Beneath this is the date of the event. Below this is information on the stewards and notices. The price of the race card at the bottom of the page.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 30

#MapOnATuesday today is the Birmingham Pride route from back in 2000 with a list of venues as part of the #Pride2026 celebrations. Ref – LP 22.85 #LibraryofBham #BirminghamPride #birminghamlgbt @lgbtfdn.bsky.social @midlandsrainbow.bsky.social

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 29

#CharlieChaplin To celebrate #GRTHM26, a photograph of travellers on the Black Patch, Handsworth (now Smethwick) in May 1907. Recent speculation has suggested Charlie Chaplin may have been born there: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #LibraryofBham #SandwellCouncil

A group photograph. People gathered in the mid foreground of the photograph - male and female adults along with children. The figures in the centre of the assembled group are sat on the ground. Circling them are other figures standing up. A male figure on the far left is holding a horse by its reigns. On the far right, two male figures are stood by another horse with a child sat on it. In the middle of the circle, the upright figures are holding small children. Behind the assembled group are several caravans. One in the back centre of the photo and the other on the far right.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 28

#SundayShowcase is Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai. Adopted Brummie, Malala takes us behind the headlines to the things which make her tick being a young woman navigating life and relationships. Ref – L 78.1 YOU #LibraryofBham #Malala

Two copies of a book on a table – both front covers are facing towards the camera. Author’s name at the top of the front cover is Malala Yousafzai. Title of the book in the middle of the front cover is Finding My Way. A photograph of Malala on the cover wearing a hooded garment. An office scene behind the table on which the books are resting. Ceiling lights and a door on the far left leading to a corridor.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 27

Today is #ArmedForcesDay. Here’s a photograph from 2024 with a flag raising ceremony held outside #LibraryofBham. The Lord Mayor honoured the Armed Forces, Birmingham’s veterans, along with the contribution of the serving military www.armedforcesday.org.uk #ArmedForcesDay

Image of a group of uniformed men and women representing the British Armed Forces. The mayor is in the foreground wearing ceremonial robes of black and gold wearing a tricorn hat, a lady in white stands behind him. To the left is a soldier holding a standard. In the centre of the image is a flagpole with the Flag of Armed Forces Day hanging from it, (there is no wind). The uniformed personnel are standing straight with their hands behind their back all of them are wearing their service medals on their left breast.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 26

#PhotoFriday today is Canwell Hall just outside Sutton Coldfield. The City of Birmingham convalescent home for ex – servicemen first opened in June 1921. Ref - L 75.7 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

Photograph of a Victorian stately home with a well-manicured garden and trees. The hall has several sections - the entrance is on the right of the building. A motorbike in front of the entrance. A turret in the third section of the property in the mid – background of the photograph.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 25

#CityOf1000Trades today is this 1903 trade catalogue for James Parkes & Son’s microscopes, telescopes and mathematical equipment works on Vesey Street. Ref – LS 10/P/8 #LibraryofBham

Title at the top of the page is catalogue of microscopes. Below this, an illustration of a microscope. Columns on either side with an Art Nouveau design. Below the illustration are the details of where the factory was located.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 24

#UNESCOUK Records of the Birmingham Ladies’ Society for the Relief of Slaves, 1822–1919 are now inscribed on the UNESCO UK Memory of the World register unesco.org.uk/news/five-ou.... Ref - MS 3173 #LibraryofBham

A photograph of two handwritten pages in a volume.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 23

#MapOnATuesday is the c. 1911 map of Greater Birmingham coloured to show ward boundaries as proposed. Some of the boundaries differ from those finally adopted. Ref – MAP/456336 #LibraryofBham

A map. Title in the top left corner is Map of Greater Birmingham. A map with a highly accentuated outline of the Birmingham boundary. Inside the boundary line are smaller sections with their own boundaries. Each of these is named and colour shaded. Areas outside of the boundary are not coloured or named.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 22

If you’re passing by the library, check out the new Level 4 display on Birmingham care homes for children. A plethora of organisations emerged in the 19th century providing residential care. Ref – L 41.31 #LibraryofBham

Front cover of a souvenir brochure. Words at the top read Toyland. A series of figures interacting between the letters in some form of activity involving games. Below this is a panel with an illustration of a fairytale setting. A teddy bear to the side of this peering out on the right of the panel. Below this is the word Fair with another set of figures between the letters. Details of where the event is taking place and when to the left of the illustrated panel. Below this, a clown holding a circular object with the price of the souvenir.

Archives & Collections, Library of Birmingham@theironroom· Jun 22

Today marks #WindrushDay2026. Here’s an article from the Birmingham Mail on 22 June 1948 heralding the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush #LibraryofBham @ibhmuk.bsky.social