Warwickshire News Mine

The collection, which the County Record Office purchased in October 2006 from Philip Banham, a prominent collector, contains images of town and village life throughout the county as well as images of Birmingham in the early twentieth century’.

The slides feature the work of Francis Bedford, George Washington Wilson, James Valentine and William Russell Sedgfield.  Although not based in Warwickshire each of these celebrated photographers spent time in the county, chronicling its outstanding natural beauty.

The purchase of the collection was made possible by donations from the Henry VIII Endowed Trust, Warwick, the Museum Libraries and archive/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Friends of Warwickshire County Record Office and members of the public.

The images are available for free viewing at the public searchroom of the County Record Office.  To celebrate the purchase of the collection, Philip Banham performed a magic lantern show; this was filmed and highlights can be viewed by visiting http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/countyrecordoffice and clicking on the Magic lantern Show link.

A DVD, lasting just under a half hour, was also made of the entire presentation.  This can be viewed at the record office’s search room or can be purchased for £5 from the County Record Office.  Order a copy by calling 01926 738959 or by emailing recordoffice@warwickshire.gov.uk

Edwina Cordwell, Warwickshire County Council’s Head of Libraries, Learning and Culture said, “This is a wonderful collection enabling us to step into the past.  We are very grateful to the Banham family for allowing us to acquire this unique collection of magic lantern slides."

Link to WCC