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@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 24, 2026, 9:00 AM

#BhamWomen Dr Winifred Cavenagh became only the second female professor at Birmingham University at the time according to this Birmingham Post article from 10 June 1972. Ref – Birmingham Biography Cuttings Vol. 67 #LibraryofBham @unibirmingham.bsky.social

A newspaper article. Heading – Dr. Cavenagh gets university chair. Text on the left side of the article and an insert of a photograph of a female on the right.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 8:15 AM

Our #ShakespeareCollection contains many wonderful finds including this 1947 Esperanto version of Antonio kaj Kleopatro : tragedio en kvin aktoj. Ref - Shakespeare/ALL 583465 #LibraryofBham @shakespearebtrust.bsky.social @shakesinstitute.bsky.social @esperanto.org.uk

Front cover of a book. Title is Antonio kaj Kleopatro : tragedio en kvin aktoj by William Shakepeare. Text in Esperanto. Publishing details at the bottom of the page.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 22, 2026, 6:15 PM

#IDOB2026 starts this Thursday - the House That Brum Built takes over the Council House on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th September 2026. Explore ten rooms over two days: www.idob.co.uk #LibraryofBham

A poster. A cartoon figure, possibly Humpty Dumpty sat astride a bull and holding a flag. The figures are placed inside a circle. The words International Day of Birmingham running along the edge of the circle. Beneath this are details of the dates along with further text.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 22, 2026, 6:00 AM

#MapOnATuesday Our map collections extend beyond Birmingham – here is L.S. De La Rochette’s 1788 map of Hindoostan, today the nation is officially recognised as India and Bharat. Ref - MAP/924352 #LibraryofBham

A map of the Indian sub – continent. A scale in the top right of the map. A legend in the bottom right indicating this is Rochette’s map of Hindoostan dated 1788. Published by William Faden. The legend is surrounded by an elephant on the left and palm trees behind.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 21, 2026, 7:15 PM

#BirminghamLibrary Check out our Level 4 display of 1940s & 50s birthday cards sent to two addresses in #Moseley #LibraryofBham

An illustration of three fairies on a birthday card. All three figures form a curve running from the top left of the card. The words - Happy Birthday to You hugging the curve formed by the fairies. They are all playing different musical instruments. The number 7 in the top right with a bird perched on top of it. Musical notes dispersed across the card.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 21, 2026, 3:00 PM

We're looking for a freelance conservator to survey and rehouse audio heritage as part of the Sounds of the Midlands project. For more information please email us. Deadline for applications is Monday, 12 October #LibraryofBham @uniofleicester.bsky.social

Page 1 detailing the Sounds of the Midlands freelance conservator post. Heading has the logos for Birmingham City Council and the Library of Birmingham.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 20, 2026, 10:15 AM

#SundayShowcase today is The Jamaican people,1880-1902 by Patrick Bryan. A look at the period after the end of slavery up to the burgeoning of democracy. Ref - 972.9204 #LibraryofBham

Two books on a table - front cover facing on. Title at the top of the page is The Jamaican People, 1880 - 1902. Illustration inset beneath this - a graphic design of a female figure at work. Below the illustration is the name of the author. A wall behind the table on which the books are standing. A chair tucked under the table.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 19, 2026, 9:01 AM

#CityOf1000Trades is this trade card for the Soho Plate Company - Matthew Boulton’s manufactory of silver & plated goods. Ref - MS 4834/119 #LibraryofBham

A trade card. Illustration of a large building at the top of the card - a Georgian style premises, a factory. A garden scene outside of the building. Beneath this are details of the name of the company and its locations in Birmingham and London.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 18, 2026, 7:15 AM

#PhotoFriday today is this photo of the Hall of Memory on 12 May 1937 with a commemorative column celebrating the coronation of George VI. The Hall of Memory officially opened on 4 July 1925. Ref - WK/B11/6618 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

Birmingham Hall of Memory on the far right of the photograph, a circular Neo – Classical style domed building. Brass statues on either side of the entrance. A building to the left of the hall in the mid background of the photograph. A very large column with a figure of a knight on horseback on top holding a staff - this is on the far left of the photo. A policeman to the left of the column on the ground. The column and hall are surrounded by a fence and a search light is in the bottom right of the photo.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 8:01 AM

#BhamWomen Myra and Kate Bunce at the Lord Mayor's fancy dress ball in 1914. Myra, seated - was a landscape painter and designer. Kate is renowned as a painter. They worked together on commissions for local churches. Ref- Martineau Album #BM_AG #LibraryofBham

Photographic portrait of two female figures in fancy dress. The seated figure is dressed in dark heavy laced clothing. She is wearing a bonnet with a veil attached and holding a parasol. She has bunches of flowers at each ear and is wearing spectacles. She is holding a card in her left hand. The standing figure is dressed in light clothing. She is wearing a bonnet and has flowers at her ears. She is also holding a parasol and wearing very heavy lace clothing which covers her footwear.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 16, 2026, 8:15 AM

Today we bring you this #ElvisPresley Fan Club flyer from 1978 - an event we believe to mark the first anniversary of Elvis’ passing. Thank you very much! Ref - LS 4/Ephemera Collection/Music 51 #LibraryofBham

A flyer. Text at the top indicates it has been produced by the Birmingham branch of the official Elvis Presley fan club. Details of the Elvis Presley Memorial Disco. Inset photograph of Elvis to the right of this text. Details below relating to the time and location of the event along with acts.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 15, 2026, 6:01 AM

#MapOnATuesday this week is this map of the town centre included in Pinnock's Guide to Knowledge - Number 129 (1834). Ref – LS 11/7/36/15432 #LibraryofBham

A map. Text at the top of the map reads No. CXXIX on the far left of the header. Title in the middle of the header is Pinnock's Guide to Knowledge. The words - Price One Penny on the far right of the header. Below this in the centre of the bottom of the header is the word Birmingham. Beneath this is a section headed Table of References with a numerical listing of buildings. Below this is a map of Birmingham town centre. Street names and the outlines of buildings are visible along with numbers which refer to the Table of References. Another Table of References beneath this and then publisher details at the bottom of the map.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 14, 2026, 7:15 PM

#HarvestFestival will soon be with us - here’s a photo from the Harvest Home festival in Northumberland, 1901. The last corn gathered would be made into a human shape, crowned with flowers and called the Kern Baby. Ref: Stone Box 270/ Print 9 #LibraryofBham @nlandarchives.bsky.social

A figure wearing a long billowy cotton dress in the late Victorian style which reaches the ground. The figure is not human but rather stalks of corn gathered together. Stalks of corn are sprouting from the top of the dress and resemble a head. A large gathering of foliage behind the figure. Flora in front of the figure.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 14, 2026, 3:02 PM

#BirminghamHistory - Little Cherry Street was located in the city centre. It was cleared and demolished in the late 19th century as part of the grand Birmingham Improvement Scheme. Ref – WK/B11/3475 #LibraryofBham

An illustration of a courtyard. The building dominating the scene has the facia Crown Tavern above the entrance. An active foreground to the building with various humans and animals in action. Two figures in the top left of the courtyard and then left to right - another two walking arm in arm. Then a horse with two figures next to it with various animals running about. Another two figures on the far right of the courtyard with a building behind them with signage identifying a tailors operates from the premises. Lt, Cherry Street scribbled in the bottom left of the drawing along with some indecipherable text.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 13, 2026, 10:00 AM

#SundayShowcase today is Estates: an intimate history by Lynsey Hanley who grew up just outside Birmingham. An account of the rise of social housing through to its decline. Ref - L 41.8 #LibraryofBham

A book on a table facing towards the camera. Title is Estates: An Intimate History by Lynsey Hanley. Photograph in the background of the cover showing three sets of balconies with people on each. An office scene behind the table on which the books are standing. Desks and chairs and a window inlay reflecting the outside view.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 12, 2026, 9:15 AM

#CityOf1000Trades #BhamWomen Mary Rollason & Sons of Steelhouse Lane. Rollason (1764/5 – 1835) was a Birmingham businesswoman who dealt in china, cut glass and brass items. Ref: MS 4834/123 #LibraryofBham

A trade card. Title at the top is Mary Rollason & Sons. China, glass and earthenware warehouse. Numerous paragraphs below this detailing the wares sold by the company.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 11, 2026, 7:00 AM

#PhotoFriday today is Paradise Street on 21 April 1938 looking past the Midland Institute towards the Town Hall. Most of the street now unrecognisable from the photo. Ref - WK/B11/5389 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

A street scene. A long row of multistorey premises on the left of the photo with vehicles outside and a horse and cart in the bottom left. The Birmingham Town Hall at the end of the row in the bottom right of the photo. Pedestrians frequent the street.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 10, 2026, 8:15 AM

#BhamWomen is back with Enid Parsons of Spark Hill who at the age of 17 was whisked off to America to join the Ziegfeld Follies on a £1,000 a year salary which was quite a sum in 1926. Ref - Birmingham Despatch, 24.2.1926/ Birmingham Biography vol 13 #LibraryofBham

A newspaper article -handwritten date at the top is 24.2.26. Title is Birmingham’s Zeigfeld Folly. Below is a photograph of a young woman sat side saddle. She is holding a dress close to her chest and her shoulders are bare. She is wearing a Flapper style dress and her hair is in ringlets. The text of the article is beneath this.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 9, 2026, 8:00 AM

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Birmingham Super Prix. The inaugural race was the culmination of years of setbacks and successes to make the event a reality: theironroom.wordpress.com/2023/07/03/i... Ref: Ephemera Collection, Motor Racing, item 27 #LibraryofBham

A poster for the 1989 running of the race. Borders at the top and bottom of the poster illustrated with chequered flags, a horse and paraphernalia of other images. Details about the date and time of the race and a faint photograph of racing cars on a track in the background.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 8, 2026, 6:15 AM

#MapOnATuesday today is this 1889 diseases map of Birmingham included in the Medical Health Officers’ Reports showing clusters of illness in the city. Ref - L 45.11 #LibraryofBham

A map. Title is Map of the Borough of Birmingham, 1889. A key below identifying what each of the coloured spots on the map of Birmingham signifies. Weights in each corner of the map.