Illustration of a factory. Top of the page is the royal crest - lion on the left and unicorn on the right. Around it the following text - pen maker to the Queen, Joseph Gillott. Beneath this, an illustration of a rectangular shaped building with high walls looking out onto the street. A spacious courtyard in the interior. Several chimney stacks are dispersed around the building with smoke billowing. Vehicles in front of the building in the bottom foreground of the image. The text below this reads - Victoria Works, Graham Street, Birmingham. 37 Gracechurch Street, London and 91 John Street, New York.

#BirminghamHistory #CityOf1000Trades The Victoria Works on Graham Street was opened in 1840 and chiefly employed young women in the manufacturing of steel pen nibs making Gillott an extremely wealthy man. Reference: New Illustrated Directory (1856), LF 06 #LibraryofBham

A page. UK coat of arms at the top of the page. Beneath this, AD 1843 on the left of the page and No. 9714 on the right. Below this, the title of the patent – Manufacture of Flour and below this the words - Cotterill’s Specification. Beneath this two paragraphs outlining the specifications of the patent.

#BirminghamHistory Archives & Collections retains a Birmingham Patent Collection (1722 – 1865), consisting of abridged copies of patents for inventions born in Birmingham theironroom.wordpress.com/2020/09/14/h... Ref – Patent 9714 #LibraryofBham

An illustration of the exterior of an imposing four storey gothic Victorian building on the junction of several avenues. A large cartouche in the shape of a shield on a part of the building jutting out on to the street. Text inside the cartouche identifies the building as the Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital. Pedestrians and vehicles teeming with life outside of the building.

#BirminghamHistory Birmingham Eye Infirmary opened in April 1824 on Cannon Street. Moving to Steelhouse Lane in 1853/4 the Infirmary changed its name to The Birmingham and Midland Eye Institution. The building on Church Street was erected in 1884. Ref: WK/B11/2760 #LibraryofBham

The Birmingham Parish Workhouse, 1730–1840

"This is a very well-researched book which... will be of most interest to local historians, but scholars of urban history, the early modern period and poverty will also benefit from reading it." Urban History www.herts.ac.uk/uhpress/book... #BirminghamHistory

October 16, 1985 - Birmingham Evening Mail - a piece on a pair of students who started their own fanzine, Ephemeral, are profiled.
#fanzine #ephemeral #students #zineculture #1980snostalgia #birminghamhistory #alternativepublishing

An illustration - a group of figures wearing working class clothing gathered around a large low-level table. A figure stood on the far left by a sign which reads Pea Soup one penny a basin. A figure stood on the other side of the table across from them with their head bent over a cloud of steam. Pillars and arched windows in the background.

#BirminghamHistory this illustration of a dinner stall in the Market Hall. Cheap food such as soup which was easy to make and consume was often purchased from street sellers. Ref - LS 12/Birmingham Scrapbook Vol.4, page 234 #LibraryofBham

Lithographic print. A scene of disarray - a large crowd gathered outside a three storey Georgian house on the left of the print. Small groups of people gathered at each window throwing objects down on to the ground. People in the crowd are helping themselves to belongings. A tree on the far right of the print. Beneath it, another group of people who appear drunk - a large opened barrel nearby.

#BirminghamHistory The Sacking of Dr. Priestley’s House at Fair Hill, Sparkbrook on 14 July 1791. An angry crowd attacked his house during four days of affray now known as the Priestley Riots. Priestley left for a new life in America shortly after. Ref: WK/B11/8187 #LibraryofBham

The Queen Elizabeth steam ship dominating the foreground of the photograph. Both funnels emitting plumes of steam. The New York skyline in the background. Skyscrapers, smoking chimneys. The Empire State Building in the mid background of the photograph.

#BirminghamHistory 2026 is the centenary of ICI. The Metals Division (IMI) was based at the Kynoch Works, Witton. Amongst many things, the company made boiler tubes for the Queen Elizabeth steam ship. Ref: MS 1422/28/7/4/4 #LibraryofBham

A photograph of men assembled in a group, chiefly consisting of three lines - the figures in the front row are all seated and wearing traditional Chinese silk dress. The figures around them are wearing Victorian frockcoats and top hats. Behind the group are two brick buildings

#BirminghamHistory Trade connections between China and the UK have existed for many years. Here’s the visit of Duke Tsai Tse and members of the Chinese Special Commission to the Metropolitan Railway Carriage Works on 14 May 1906. Ref: WK/S2/14 #LibraryofBham #chinesebham

A piece of card with text on it - title at the top of the card is Colin Bradsworth Films. Below this, a contents list. The card is resting on an archival folder with archival tape on either side of the folder.

#BirminghamHistory a new addition to Preservica Universal Access is a cine film of 1930s Moseley by Dr Colin Bradsworth - founder member of the Birmingham Clarion Singers who was a medical officer during the Spanish Civil War: tinyurl.com/MS-5210-Mose... Ref: MS 5210 #LibraryofBham

Some signals aren’t meant to be loud.

They’re meant to be noticed.

Something is coming... 👀

#BSides #BSidesBirmingham #BirminghamHistory

Photograph of the exterior of a building in the neo -classical style - grand scale, symmetry, simple geometric forms and dramatic columns at the entrance. Facia above the columns reads - Birmingham Municipal Bank. A female figure with a pram stands on the pavement outside of the entrance. A male figure in the far right of the photo walks on by. The photograph is taken from the side of the building.

#BirminghamHistory for today’s blog, Dr Justine Pick - Research Lead for Unlocking the Vaults, looks back at how the project has unearthed the history of the Birmingham Municipal Bank (1919-1976): theironroom.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/h... Ref: WK/B11/5129 #LibraryofBham @justinepick.bsky.social

An illustration of a street scene of the late Georgian era. Buildings on either side of a central marketplace area all leading down to a statue and a church with a spire dominating the central background of the illustration. Behind it, other buildings populate the backdrop. The central marketplace is a hive of activity with groups of people gathered on either side.

#BirminghamHistory Another illustration from the Aylesford Collection - this time depicting the High Street, published by Jonathan Knott in June 1813. Ref - MS 3015/1,page 81 #LibraryofBham

Photograph looking down onto a street with properties of the Victorian period on either side – the majority on the far left of the photo have canopies outside of the premises. Horse and carts on both sides of the street and pedestrians at certain points on the highway. The photograph is faded in parts which reflects its age.

#BirminghamHistory See the exhibition at the Metro Town Hall stop dedicated to photography pioneer, George Shaw credited with the first photograph of Birmingham. More info: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Here’s one of our earliest photos c. 1865 of New Street. Ref: New Street 136 #LibraryofBham

A flyer for a Birmingham People’s History Archive event. 80 Years : Victory Over Japan event on Saturday 13 December. Details of the schedule beneath this. Reproduction of passport entries on the left of the page. Advertisement for a film showing at 2 PM at the bottom of the flyer.

#BirminghamHistory Join the Birmingham People’s History Archive for this event on Saturday - 80 Years : Victory Over Japan - bpha.online/2025/11/01/v... – Birmingham People's History Archive #LibraryofBham #birminghampha

Title of the cartoon at the bottom is Thee Pay Six - Pence. A building on the far right with a male figure holding various notes with writing on them. He is looking towards a figure in the bottom centre pushing a barrow. Another figure on the far left riding a horse. In the left and mid background, two buildings with wording locating them at Saltley. The building on the far left looks like a stately home and the one in the back centre like a toll house.

#BirminghamHistory we recently found this cartoon tucked away in a box. Note states it was purchased in 1792 at the sign of the Turk’s Head, Moor Street. Ref – Mixed/Miscellaneous prints and photo (ex ST/PR/5) #LibraryofBham

British Working-Class and Radical Writing Since 1700 Book Launch | National Trust

If you like working-class writing and theatre, please join our book launch! #BirminghamHistory

Where? National Trust Back to Backs Museum @NTBirmingham, 11 Dec, 6-8pm.

For further details & tickets:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/birmin...

@midlandhistory.bsky.social @theironroom.bsky.social

An illustrated portrait of a female wearing attire associated with the late Georgian and Regency periods. A loose scarf on her head cascading down to her right shoulder. She is looking to her right. She has a locket around her neck falling to her décolletage. She is wearing a billowing dress with an accentuated cord around her waistline.

#BirminghamHistory Birmingham born Catherine Hutton (1756 – 1846), a novelist and letter writer. Daughter of William Hutton credited with writing the first official history of Birmingham. Our archive contains a collection of Catherine's manuscripts and miscellaneous papers (MS 168) #LibraryofBham

Poster for The Moseley Society event titled “The Life of Neville Chamberlain.” It features a black-and-white photograph of Neville Chamberlain tipping his hat beside a smiling woman as she steps from a car. Below the image, text announces a talk by Susan Humphrey, assisted by her husband David, on Wednesday 19 November at 2:00 pm in The Orange Room at The Moseley Exchange, 149–153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham. The description notes that Susan, Chamberlain’s granddaughter, will share a family perspective on his life, career, and legacy. The poster includes the Moseley Society logo and website address at the top.

🌳 The Moseley Society Presents 🌳
The Life of Neville Chamberlain
🗓 Wed 19 Nov, 2pm | 📍 Moseley Exchange 149-153 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP.

A talk by Susan Humphrey, Chamberlain’s granddaughter, offering a unique family view on his life & legacy.
#Moseley #BirminghamHistory #WWII

A drawing of a skeleton.

#BirminghamHistory Don’t forget to Join us for the annual Chris Upton Memorial Lecture on Monday 3rd November, 5.30pm - tinyurl.com/UptonBaskerville Ref: MS 897,Volume II, Image 218 #LibraryofBham @typetweets.bsky.social #BaskervilleSoc

An illustration of a townscape taken from the top of a promontory. In the foreground, housing on either side of the road. A figure in the central foreground stood behind a mule carrying cylindrical baskets. The road then declines in the centre of the illustration, and another figure is walking along with cattle towards a gate covering the majority of the road. The illustration then pans out in the background to reveal a mass of buildings and the spires of several churches. Clouds above the townscape.

#BirminghamHistory today is this view of Birmingham from Bradford Street in Deritend published by John Aston in 1816. It’s been gathered from The Aylesford Collection: tinyurl.com/AylesfordColl Ref - MS 3015/1, page 79 #LibraryofBham

Me too! Will be watching online with a pal, drinks and snacks.
#HouseHistory #Birmingham #BirminghamHistory

A street scene - an underpass with a mosaic dedicated to JFK in the foreground. On the left, the Catholic cathedral of Birmingham designed in the Victorian Gothic style. On the right, a1960s office block. A public transport bus in front of the building.

The front cover of a book. Author’s name at the top is Marie B Rowlands. Beneath this is the title – Men and Masters in the West Midland metalware trade before the industrial revolution

#BirminghamHistory We were sad to hear of the passing earlier this year of Dr Marie Rowlands, eminent historian of Catholicism in the Midlands. Also writing texts on the industrial heritage of the West Midlands tinyurl.com/DrRowlands Ref: WK/B11/8651 #LibraryofBham @rcbirmingham.bsky.social

A flyer for a Birmingham People’s History Archive event. Decisions and Consequences event on Saturday 4 October. Details of the schedule beneath this. A reproduction of a photograph of a CND march below this on the left of the flyer. More text about the event and amenities to the right of the photograph and beneath.

#BirminghamHistory Why not join our pals from the Birmingham People’s History Archive on Saturday for a free living history event at All Saints Church, Kings Heath: bpha.online #LibraryofBham #birminghampha

Three playing cards. The two in the background have colour illustrations - the one on the left had a heart in the top left corner and a drawing of a young female figure blowing a musical instrument. The card on the right has a spade in the top left corner along with an illustration of the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. In the foreground is another card with text detailing an anti – slavery meeting taking place at Birmingham Town Hall on 22 January 1873.

#BirminghamHistory today brings you these hand-made playing cards drawn and painted on the back of cards advertising an anti-slavery meeting held at Birmingham Town Hall on 22 January 1873. Ref - MS 1509/5/69 #LibraryofBham #bmusic_ltd

A brochure – text at the top of the brochure reads - City of Birmingham Gas Department, the largest municipal gas undertaking in the world. Portrait of Joseph Chamberlain on the left and Councillor Hume on the right. Beneath this is a map showing the City of Birmingham boundary with dots highlighting the other towns and cities in the surrounding area. Beneath this are two images of show rooms.

#BirminghamHistory this 1934 brochure for the City of Birmingham Gas Department – at the time, the largest municipal gas undertaking in the world. Ref - Birmingham Town Hall centenary, Programmes, tickets, newspaper cuttings etc. 1934. LFF 38 #LibraryofBham

An advertisement for a property in a brochure. Title at the top of the page is Modern House & Home. Beneath this, details of the sale of the property on the Greenholm estate, Perry Barr. A photograph of a semidetached house beneath this. Further details about the property beneath the photograph including the cost of the property.

#PerryBarr #BirminghamHistory A three-bedroom property for sale in Birmingham for £440 – a steal! Hold on, those are February 1939 prices. Ref - Modern House & Home, LF 41.8 #LibraryofBham

Front cover of a brochure - the word Birmingham at the top of the page. A map of the UK inside a circular cog in the top right of the front cover. Words in German to the left of the symbol ('Der Brennpunkt Der Englischen Industrie'). A pick on the left of the cover. Illustration of high rise industrial buildings, a crane, and flight of stairs in the background.

#BirminghamHistory This German language brochure from 1931 highlights the economic influence of Birmingham as a hub of industrial strength. A handbook issued for businessmen by the City of Birmingham Information Bureau. Ref - Corp D/7 (390158) #LibraryofBham

From current @historytoday.com one of the most important but often overlooked #inventions, the #PenNib #BirminghamHistory #Industry

Today I'm guiding a private group on the Five Ways to Die in Birmingham tour.
💀 A dead body in a shop window
⚰️ Secret mass exhumations
🕍 A lost Jewish cemetery
⚡ Children electrocuted
And that’s to start with!
#BirminghamHistory #DarkTourism #WalkingTour #Birmingham