NHM Library and Archives
@nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social
One of the finest collections of natural history literature, art and online resources.
Come and research with us Tuesday - Thursday 10.00 - 16.00 (by appointment).
linktr.ee/nhmlibraryarchives
(Natural History Museum, London and Tring)
Come and research with us Tuesday - Thursday 10.00 - 16.00 (by appointment).
linktr.ee/nhmlibraryarchives
(Natural History Museum, London and Tring)
We've put together a 25-day #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 8. Snakes, Albertus Seba (publ. 1734-65). Did you know… #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a painting of two snakes.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a painting of two snakes.
December 8, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We've put together a 25-day #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 8. Snakes, Albertus Seba (publ. 1734-65). Did you know… #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a painting of two snakes.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a painting of two snakes.
We've put together an #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 7. Watercolour drawing of Regal thorny oyster by Sarah Stone. Did you know... #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a spiny white oyster shell.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a spiny white oyster shell.
December 7, 2025 at 7:31 PM
We've put together an #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 7. Watercolour drawing of Regal thorny oyster by Sarah Stone. Did you know... #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a spiny white oyster shell.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a spiny white oyster shell.
In today's #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art: 6. Grey-headed flying fox for John Gould’s Mammals of Australia (1845-63). Did you know... #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: advent calendar revealing two bats in a tree.
Alt text: advent calendar revealing two bats in a tree.
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
In today's #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art: 6. Grey-headed flying fox for John Gould’s Mammals of Australia (1845-63). Did you know... #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: advent calendar revealing two bats in a tree.
Alt text: advent calendar revealing two bats in a tree.
We've put together a 25-day #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 5. Mandrake, from De Materia Medica (produced 1458-1477). Did you know… #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a mandrake.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a mandrake.
December 5, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We've put together a 25-day #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 5. Mandrake, from De Materia Medica (produced 1458-1477). Did you know… #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a mandrake.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a mandrake.
December 4, 2025 at 1:08 PM
We've put together a 25-day #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 4. Octopus, Port Jackson Painter (active 1790s). Did you know… #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a white octopus from below.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a white octopus from below.
December 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We've put together a 25-day #NHMAdventCalendar of Library and Archives art. Enjoy! 4. Octopus, Port Jackson Painter (active 1790s). Did you know… #AdventCalendar2025 #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a white octopus from below.
Alt text: an advent calendar revealing a white octopus from below.
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 3. Dombeya excelsa, Ferdinand Bauer (drawn 1790-1807). Did you know… #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: An advent calender revealing a fir tree frond
Alt text: An advent calender revealing a fir tree frond
December 3, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 3. Dombeya excelsa, Ferdinand Bauer (drawn 1790-1807). Did you know… #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Alt text: An advent calender revealing a fir tree frond
Alt text: An advent calender revealing a fir tree frond
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 2. Red and Yellow Maccaw (Macrocercus aracanga), Edward Lear (publ. 1832). Did you know... #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum Alt text: a red and green parrot
December 2, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 2. Red and Yellow Maccaw (Macrocercus aracanga), Edward Lear (publ. 1832). Did you know... #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum Alt text: a red and green parrot
Are you in love with the items featuring Abraham Gottlob Werner's 'Nomenclature of colours' (1814)? Then head over to our Digitised Special Collections to see the entire work.
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Are you in love with the items featuring Abraham Gottlob Werner's 'Nomenclature of colours' (1814)? Then head over to our Digitised Special Collections to see the entire work.
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
If you're looking for Christmas present ideas, there are plenty in the Museum shop -- including many which use the Library and Archives collections!
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
If you're looking for Christmas present ideas, there are plenty in the Museum shop -- including many which use the Library and Archives collections!
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 1. 'Snowy Owls’, John James Audubon (publ. 1827-1838). Did you know... #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum #BirdsInArt
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
December 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 1. 'Snowy Owls’, John James Audubon (publ. 1827-1838). Did you know... #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum #BirdsInArt
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
Moustachioed #NaturalHistoryMuseum messenger Ashton John Jones, photographed by Sir J. Benjamin Stone (1838 - 1914) in the colonnade at the back of the Waterhouse Building (1907).
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #MuseumArchives
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #MuseumArchives
November 28, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Moustachioed #NaturalHistoryMuseum messenger Ashton John Jones, photographed by Sir J. Benjamin Stone (1838 - 1914) in the colonnade at the back of the Waterhouse Building (1907).
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #MuseumArchives
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #MuseumArchives
🔎Discovering the Okapi
🌍The Museum: creating advocates for the planet - the history of exhibitions and galleries at the NHM, and the way these have helped to develop a knowledge and appreciation of the natural world
🐋 Whales, Science and Conservation
🌱Ordering and Naming Nature
#Archives #Art
🌍The Museum: creating advocates for the planet - the history of exhibitions and galleries at the NHM, and the way these have helped to develop a knowledge and appreciation of the natural world
🐋 Whales, Science and Conservation
🌱Ordering and Naming Nature
#Archives #Art
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Visitors to the Museum will have the exciting opportunity to enter our beautiful Earth Sciences Library.
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Visitors to the Museum will have the exciting opportunity to enter our beautiful Earth Sciences Library.
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
A pencil moustache and a penchant for insects in L.M. Budgen’s Episodes of insect life (London: Reeve, Benham & Reeve, 1849)
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #SpecialCollections
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #SpecialCollections
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
A pencil moustache and a penchant for insects in L.M. Budgen’s Episodes of insect life (London: Reeve, Benham & Reeve, 1849)
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #SpecialCollections
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025 #SpecialCollections
Some of our colleagues have displayed classic #FOMO behaviour and joined in with Brian Houghton-Hodgson (1801-1894), an early expert on the fauna of India and Nepal, where he lived for many years.
Today, he graces our public reading room in South Kensington. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025
Today, he graces our public reading room in South Kensington. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025
November 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Some of our colleagues have displayed classic #FOMO behaviour and joined in with Brian Houghton-Hodgson (1801-1894), an early expert on the fauna of India and Nepal, where he lived for many years.
Today, he graces our public reading room in South Kensington. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025
Today, he graces our public reading room in South Kensington. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Movember2025
From opening day in 1881 until 1971, Natural History Museum staff included fireman warders who patrolled the buildings and grounds day and night.
Moustaches encouraged, but not compulsory.
#Movember2025 #NaturalHistoryMuseum #MuseumArchives
Moustaches encouraged, but not compulsory.
#Movember2025 #NaturalHistoryMuseum #MuseumArchives
November 19, 2025 at 10:52 AM
From opening day in 1881 until 1971, Natural History Museum staff included fireman warders who patrolled the buildings and grounds day and night.
Moustaches encouraged, but not compulsory.
#Movember2025 #NaturalHistoryMuseum #MuseumArchives
Moustaches encouraged, but not compulsory.
#Movember2025 #NaturalHistoryMuseum #MuseumArchives
Here is an extra reason to visit the Treasures Gallery (free entry).
We've just changed the hand-coloured engraved plate from our copy of John James Audubon's 'The Birds of America' (1827-1838).
Plate 197: Loxia curvirostra / Red Crossbill.
On display until February 2026.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
We've just changed the hand-coloured engraved plate from our copy of John James Audubon's 'The Birds of America' (1827-1838).
Plate 197: Loxia curvirostra / Red Crossbill.
On display until February 2026.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Here is an extra reason to visit the Treasures Gallery (free entry).
We've just changed the hand-coloured engraved plate from our copy of John James Audubon's 'The Birds of America' (1827-1838).
Plate 197: Loxia curvirostra / Red Crossbill.
On display until February 2026.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
We've just changed the hand-coloured engraved plate from our copy of John James Audubon's 'The Birds of America' (1827-1838).
Plate 197: Loxia curvirostra / Red Crossbill.
On display until February 2026.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
The Library and Archives are closed to external visitors and enquiries 10 - 14 November.
Our team are auditing the collections and having a whale of a time…🐋
#Audit #MuseumLibrary #MuseumArchives #ModernCollections #SpecialCollections #Teamwork
Our team are auditing the collections and having a whale of a time…🐋
#Audit #MuseumLibrary #MuseumArchives #ModernCollections #SpecialCollections #Teamwork
November 11, 2025 at 6:54 AM
The Library and Archives are closed to external visitors and enquiries 10 - 14 November.
Our team are auditing the collections and having a whale of a time…🐋
#Audit #MuseumLibrary #MuseumArchives #ModernCollections #SpecialCollections #Teamwork
Our team are auditing the collections and having a whale of a time…🐋
#Audit #MuseumLibrary #MuseumArchives #ModernCollections #SpecialCollections #Teamwork
We are at #HistDay25 @instituteofhistoricalresearch.
Come and chat with our team - Kathryn, Heather and Eloise. We would love to support your research and hear about all the subjects you are interested in!
Come and chat with our team - Kathryn, Heather and Eloise. We would love to support your research and hear about all the subjects you are interested in!
November 4, 2025 at 12:19 PM
We are at #HistDay25 @instituteofhistoricalresearch.
Come and chat with our team - Kathryn, Heather and Eloise. We would love to support your research and hear about all the subjects you are interested in!
Come and chat with our team - Kathryn, Heather and Eloise. We would love to support your research and hear about all the subjects you are interested in!
Fishlore: British freshwater fishes (1946)
Watching birds (1941)
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #LibrariesOfInstagram #Bookstagram #InstaBooks #ModernCollections #Shelfie #BookCovers
Watching birds (1941)
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #LibrariesOfInstagram #Bookstagram #InstaBooks #ModernCollections #Shelfie #BookCovers
October 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Fishlore: British freshwater fishes (1946)
Watching birds (1941)
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #LibrariesOfInstagram #Bookstagram #InstaBooks #ModernCollections #Shelfie #BookCovers
Watching birds (1941)
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #LibrariesOfInstagram #Bookstagram #InstaBooks #ModernCollections #Shelfie #BookCovers
The books on our shelves tell the history of publishing as well as the history of natural history. We love these three Pelican books, held in our Zoology Library, Penguin books’ second imprint after their main series first launched in 1937.
Animal camouflage (1946)
Animal camouflage (1946)
October 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The books on our shelves tell the history of publishing as well as the history of natural history. We love these three Pelican books, held in our Zoology Library, Penguin books’ second imprint after their main series first launched in 1937.
Animal camouflage (1946)
Animal camouflage (1946)
What's new pussycat? Recent additions to our library book and journal collections.
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #ModernCollections #BookSky
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #ModernCollections #BookSky
October 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
What's new pussycat? Recent additions to our library book and journal collections.
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #ModernCollections #BookSky
⬆️Learn more about our collections and how to visit us via the link in our bio.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #ModernCollections #BookSky
Some lovely twirls and swirls from the 1781 edition of Pierre-Joseph's 'Histoire des insectes nuisibles à l'homme, aux bestiaux, à l'agriculture et au jardinage' (Paris, 1781). #MarbledMonday #MarbledPaper #SpecialCollections #BlueSkyBooks #Endpapers
October 20, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Some lovely twirls and swirls from the 1781 edition of Pierre-Joseph's 'Histoire des insectes nuisibles à l'homme, aux bestiaux, à l'agriculture et au jardinage' (Paris, 1781). #MarbledMonday #MarbledPaper #SpecialCollections #BlueSkyBooks #Endpapers
A peek on the returns shelf to see some of the items Museum staff have been returning recently... 🔎📚
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Shelfie #ModernCollections #BookSky #Palaeontology #Invertebrates #NorthAtlantic #Flora #India #Fossils #Fishes
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Shelfie #ModernCollections #BookSky #Palaeontology #Invertebrates #NorthAtlantic #Flora #India #Fossils #Fishes
October 10, 2025 at 10:03 AM
A peek on the returns shelf to see some of the items Museum staff have been returning recently... 🔎📚
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Shelfie #ModernCollections #BookSky #Palaeontology #Invertebrates #NorthAtlantic #Flora #India #Fossils #Fishes
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Shelfie #ModernCollections #BookSky #Palaeontology #Invertebrates #NorthAtlantic #Flora #India #Fossils #Fishes