Historical journals and newspapers in the Library

The Library has approximately 10,000 current subscriptions and over 20,000 historical journals which are no longer current. Included in these are titles which are not academic journals but which are of historical interest because they are primary source material. These are diverse in their subject and international coverage.

Historical collections include:-

• Bank publications from the early 20th century
• Trades union journals and magazines
• Industry and trade journals from the early 20th century
• Women’s suffrage journals
• Political journals and magazines from the 19th and early 20th centuries
• Local government journals
• Journals of friendly societies
• Transport journals
• Political newspapers

Transport

There are many railway journals published in the UK and the United States, some going back to the 1840s. These include ; - “Railway times”, “Railway gazette”, “Railway magazine”, “International Railway Congress” (US)” and reports from regional US railroad companies such as the Missouri-Pacific.
Shipping journals include;- “Navigation du Rhin”, “Canal de Suez” (1898-1958), “Fairplay” (1891-1981) and “Shipping world”.

Industry

There is much primary source material for researchers on a wide scope of industries Examples include ;- “Wheat studies” from the 1920s, “Cotton gazette” from 1922, “Egyptian cotton gazetteer” “Wool review” from the 1920s, “Mineral industry” from 1898, “Iron and coal trades review”, “Black diamond” (US), “Colliery yearbook”, “Petroleum times” and “Motor gazette”. There are journals on the Indian textile industry and annuals on the milk and fruit industries.

Banking and commerce

Bank reports going back to the 19th and early 20th centuries are held for most European countries, and others such as Algeria and Egypt.
Old banking magazines include:- “Bankers magazine” 1840-, and the “Journal of the Institute of Bankers” from the 1920s.
The “Investors review” is held from 1892, and the “Stock Exchange record” 1911-1956. There are financial journals such as the “Statist” 1879-1967, and commercial titles such as “Review of the River Plate”, covering trade in Argentina 1921-1995 . Reports from local chambers of commerce such as Teeside, Birmingham and Glasgow are also included in the collection.

Trades union journals

The Library holds over 345 trades union journals mainly dating from the early 20th century. These include the journals of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, National Society of Painters and House Decorators, journals of the societies for boot and shoe operatives, railway clerks and brickmakers.
The “Bee-hive” is held from 1862-1876. There are also reports from the National Union of Women Workers, 1899-1917.
The trades union collection also has an international flavour and includes the “American Federalist” published by the American Federation of Labour 1922-1973, CGT (Confederation generale du travail) Congress reports from France 1913-1978, “Voix du Peuple” (CGT) and “Der Arbeiterfreund” 1864-1899.

Charities and local government

Charity journals include, “Charity organisation quarterly”, “Reports of the Poor Law Guardians” 1877-1911, reports from the Carnegie Trust 1926-1950, and reports from the Rockefeller Foundation, 1936-1971. There are some journals from local bodies such as the Liverpool Council of Voluntary Aid.
There are long runs of local government journals going back to the 19th century. These include:- “National municipal review”, “Local government directory” and “Local authorities companion”.

Historical newspapers

The Library has 700 newspapers only a minority of which are current. The collection is very varied in its coverage of politics and campaigning issues. There are runs of “Labour leader” and “Clarion” (Independent Labour Party), “Votes for women”, 1907-1918, “Sanity” published by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 1962-1976, “Shelter Campaign news”, 1987-1992. There are titles which may have only appeared for a few years – examples being – “Dare to struggle” (1970), “Portugal libre” (1970-1975), “Camden tenant” (1972-1983), “Troops out” (1976-1987), “Scottish nation” (1923), and “Ulsterman” (1975-1976).
In addition there is a large collection of political journals in foreign languages, including titles which were published in Eastern Europe – “Einheit” , 1946-1989 (Germany) and “Lupta de clasa”, 1906-1976 (Romania).

Finding journals and newspapers in the Library

All the library’s journals and newspapers are on the Library catalogue. See How to find journals 

Information will include the years for which the Library holds the title and location in the Library. Many of these titles are on open access in the Library and will have a Library of Congress classification. Note that the location for many will be “Reserve Periodicals” which is on the third floor of the Library.

Newspapers are kept in closed access and must be fetched by request from the Service Counter. This also applies to trades union journals with a COLL E.D. classification and some journals which are in the Serials Store. If in doubt staff at the Information Desk will assist you when you come into the Library.

Note also that there are a large number of journals and newspapers which the Library holds are on microfilm. These also must be fetched on request. When completing a fetch slip add the number for the microfilm or newspaper and the years that you require.

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