Archives & Library

Library Collections

The library collections cover British painting, sculpture, drawing, prints, decorative arts, architecture and garden history from the medieval period to the present day. The collections on British artists and architects, the British and Irish country house and the eighteenth-century Grand Tour are particularly strong.

Library Special Collections

The Library has a number of Special Collections. These are identified on the Library catalogue and comprise the following sections (with the relevant class marks below):

Unpublished PhD dissertations

  • 043

Rare books, journals and auction catalogues

  • FORD-XXXX-X
  • LEICESTER GALLERIES-XXXX
  • OPPE-XXXX-X
  • RARE-XXXX-X
  • JOURNALS–X-RARE

Auction catalogues from the collection of William Roberts and Sir Ellis Waterhouse.

  • AUCTION CATALOGUES (only those with the note: Formerly the property of William Roberts, 1862-1940, and Ellis Kirkham Waterhouse, 1905-1985. This item is classed as 'Library Special Collections')

These items:

  • May not be photocopied or scanned by in person visitors but may be photographed
  • Must be supervised and may not be removed from the Public Study Room
  • Are subject to our Library Special Collections Handling Guidelines