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@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 9:01 AM

#CityOf1000Trades is this trade catalogue for Vaughtons Ltd. when based on Livery Street. Founded in 1819 by Philip Vaughton. Originally located in Little Hampton Street. In 1897 the firm was listed as a Button Maker and Medallist. Ref – Trade Cat Collection #LibraryofBham #Vaughtons

Front cover of a trade catalogue. Details relating to Vaughtons Ltd.’s Gothic Works, Livery Street and the company being established in 1819 at the top of the page. An image of the company’s trademark below this and the wares they produce. Ornate borders beneath to the side and including a floral footer.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 7:15 AM

#PhotoFriday today is the Kyrle Hall, Sheep Street. Built in the late 19th century by Mr. J. Bowen to designs by Arts and Crafts architect, William Bidlake. Ref – WK/B11/3450 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

A photo of a row of properties. A shop in the near foreground on the bottom right with people stood out outside. The largest property in the row is next - an impressive Arts and Crafts three storey building with a turret. A row of balcony windows below this and two bay windows beneath this. Two terraced houses at the end of the row.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 8:00 AM

#BhamWomen Harriet Martineau (1802 - 1876) buried in Key Hill Cemetery was an abolitionist. Her conviction forged by what she had witnessed during her stay in America #LibraryofBham @blackhistorymonth.org.uk #BHM2026

Pencil drawing of the bust of a female figure. Her hair has a central parting and is arranged in waves with a small bun at the crown. Her head is slanted towards the left. She is wearing a simple dress with a plain collar and a knot at the centre of the neck. The dress is very uncomplicated.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 7, 2026, 6:15 PM

#Birmingham #Doctor Join Hugh J Thomson for a talk on his book detailing his time as a consultant surgeon in Birmingham. Now retired, Hugh looks back at the job he loved. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-doctor... #LibraryofBham #Pegasus_Books

A flyer for a book. Title is The Doctor Will See You Now. image of a stethoscope and surgical towel. The author’s name – Hugh J Thomson in the mid- bottom left of the flyer.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 7, 2026, 8:15 AM

#Birmingham #Science A 1898 photo of the X-Ray apparatus in the General Hospital, Steelhouse Lane. Photographed by Dr John Hall Edwards – this year marks the centenary of his death. Ref – WK/B11/966 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

Photograph of a room. A desk and chair with a scientific apparatus on it. A metal frame with a series of wires attached. A lamp to the left of it resting on the table. The wires are attached to devices and a large cylindrical device in the background by the wall. The photograph is dated 1898. Wooden panelling behind the chair and table. A large wooden cabinet with glass panels on the far left of the photograph.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 6:00 AM

#MapOnATuesday is the plan of the Birmingham Freehold Land Society Kings Heath Estate - the 40th estate purchased by the Society. Showing building plots in Clarence Road, Woodfield Road, Cambridge Road and Springfield Road, c 1876. Ref: MAP/366633 #LibraryofBham

A map - a grid plan of the streets and roads named in the title. The outline of numbered building plots colour coded. A block of land and property in the bottom right of the map identified as Laurel Cottage. The names of landowners in the top centre of the map.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 7:15 PM

Our most recent blog is based on research by one of Handsworth’s residents, Adeel Akhtar – on what is thought to be the first mosque to be established in the Handsworth district of Birmingham - theironroom.wordpress.com/2026/09/29/m... #LibraryofBham #BhamMosque

Photograph of a room - two windows on either side of an alcove with a microphoned minbar (pulpit) inside it. A bookcase up on the left side of the wall by the alcove and an order of service on the right with the words Masjid Quba at the top. The foreground is dominated by a carpet.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 3:01 PM

An update on the #SuttonColdfield archive transferred from Sutton library to here in Summer 2025. All the archive is here and our Archivist is making good progress in assessing documents and updating catalogues #LibraryofBham #MySutton

Photograph of archival presses with shelves occupied by archival boxes – fluorescent lighting above the shelves. Notes below this on both presses.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 4, 2026, 10:15 AM

#SundayShowcase is Tracing your ancestors using newspapers : a guide for family historians by Chloe O'Shea. This book is a genealogical guide to uncovering and interpreting newspaper articles - from court proceedings to obituary notices. Ref - A 929.1 #LibraryofBham

A book resting on a cushion - front cover facing on. Title of the book is Tracing your ancestors using newspapers : a guide for family historians. The title and subtitle separated by the masthead - Telegraph. Beneath are two photographic inserts - headshots of females. Also inserts of newspaper articles. The author’s name in the bottom right corner.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 3, 2026, 9:01 AM

#CityOf1000Trades is this trade card for William Rogers – fancy haberdasher and family linen draper located at Temple Row West and Colmore Row. Ref – WK/B11/3802 #LibraryofBham

Illustration of a street scene, possibly the Regency period. Text at the top of the illustration indicates this is a trade card for William Rogers – fancy haberdasher and family linen draper. The illustration shows a row of properties with a large, impressive building at the end of the row on the corner with another thoroughfare. A crowded street scene in front of the buildings in the left foreground of the illustration – pedestrians gathered and people on horseback.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 2, 2026, 7:15 AM

#PhotoFriday is the Ye Olde Royal Restaurant located on Temple Row. First opened c1781 and demolished by the late 1950s. Ref - WK/B11/3821 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

A narrow passageway with buildings on either side. Above is an ornate iron sign - Ye Olde Royal Restaurant. Flourishes above each part of the sign with a crown on the very top of the sign. People on either side of the passageway with a van at the very end as the passage joins a road. A large building in the background outside of the passageway.

@theironroom.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 8:00 AM

#BHM2026 is here. Female American Serenaders performed at Birmingham Town Hall on 9 June 1847. The entertainment was described as ‘the harmony of which has been pronounced a marvel in the history of music’. Ref - MS 1711 #LibraryofBham @blackhistorymonth.org.uk

An advertisement. Title at the top is Town Hall, Birmingham. Female American Serenaders. Beneath this is an illustration of seven female figures gathered round in a circle, each is holding or playing a musical instrument. Beneath this, a list of their names. Below this, details of the time and location for the performance at Birmingham Town Hall.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:15 AM

#BhamWomen today is Kate Freeman who according to a Birmingham Post article dated 11 July 1972 retired after 45 years at the Birmingham Rep. Ref – B’ham Bio Cuttings Vol. 67 #LibraryofBham #BirminghamRep

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 29, 2026, 6:00 AM

#MapOnATuesday shows the enlargement of New Street Station including the intended alteration of streets in the vicinity,1August 1881. Now we know what became of Bread Street. Ref - MAP/73266 #LibraryofBham

A map of Birmingham city centre. A collection of named thoroughfares crisscrossing one another - some of the streets have shading around them. Features such as churches and schools identified on the map. A shaded area in the centre with text - L & NW Railway Station above it. Text inside the bulk of the shaded area regards - Proposed Extension of Footbridge. A scale of measurement in the bottom right of the map. A compass lilting at an angle in the bottom left along with text which reads - Copyright Entered Stationers Hall.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 28, 2026, 7:15 PM

#Birmingham Here’s a rousing ditty extolling the restorative and nutritional benefits of Birmingham ale. Wonder what it would taste of? I’ll leave you to decide on a suitable tune to breathe life into the words. Ref - Birmingham Broadsides/Misc – no.39, LF 05.2 #LibraryofBham

A cartouche like illustration at the top of the page showing two male figures carrying a barrel by use of a rod. Their attire is typical of that of the eighteenth century - large tricorn hats, doublet and hose. Title beneath the illustration is Birmingham Ale. Below this, seven verses of a song. At the bottom, details of the printers - S. Taylor of Moor Street.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 28, 2026, 3:00 PM

#BirminghamLibraries during our recent Closed Week, we spent considerable time repackaging new accessions to the archive - the lifeblood of our service #LibraryofBham

A room with numerous tables in it. The tables are loaded with archival boxes, folders and bundles of paper. A set of lockers on the far right of the room. A doorway just to the left. A window on the far right of the photograph with metal and wooden cabinets in front. The window has a filigree on the outside. A pillar between the table and the lockers. Panelled ceiling lights.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 27, 2026, 10:15 AM

#SundayShowcase today is Birmingham - The Postcard Collection by Alan Spree. Postcards can be overlooked in regards of the visual record they provide. Alan draws on a selection of postcards to give a pictorial record of Birmingham in the past. Ref – L 85.4 #LibraryofBham

Two copies of a book on a table with front covers facing on. Title of the book is Birmingham - The Postcard Collection. Author’s name below this is Alan Spree. Photograph of Birmingham Council House below this. An office scene behind the table on which the books are standing including shelving and a window on the far right of the photograph.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 26, 2026, 9:01 AM

#CityOf1000Trades is this advertisement for Cheatham's of Hindoo House, 22 New Street included in the Illustrated Birmingham Times, no. 2, Sept 1854. Ref - LF 08.2 #LibraryofBham

An illustrated advertisement. The word Archery repeated three times across the top of the page. The words Wholesale and Retail beneath this. Then a paragraph of description explaining the wares sold. Beneath this, numerous line drawings of figures engaged in sporting events including cricket, fishing and archery. Beneath this, another paragraph detailing the goods sold by Cheetham’s. Then details of the shop’s location on New Street.

@theironroom.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 7:15 AM

#PhotoFriday today is this 1870s view of Harpers Hill at the junction of James Street and Northwood Street. The house was the home of James Watt. Ref - WK/B11/5940 #LibraryofBham #Brumpic

An austere brick building. Central building is Georgian - windows of equal symmetry. Corridors leading off from both sides of the central building to smaller structures which have chimneys and symmetrical sets of windows. Barren foreground with bare trees on both extremes of the photograph.

@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.