Media library

Librarian Antony Ramm with one of William Boyne's works. The culmination of his life’s work, Boyne’s collection of seven huge folios is also part of the library’s collection and includes magnificent images of locations including Temple Newsam and Kirkstall Abbey, genealogies, notable antiquities, coats of arms and maps of the city.

The culmination of his life’s work, Boyne’s collection of seven huge folios is also part of the library’s collection and includes magnificent images of locations including Temple Newsam and Kirkstall Abbey, genealogies, notable antiquities, coats of arms and maps of the city.

Leeds Central Library’s one-of-a-kind edition of famed historian Ralph Thoresby’s Ducatus Leodiensis. Printed in the mid-1740s, the incredible book will be on display at the library until the New Year.

Library and digital assistant Phil Wilde with Leeds Central Library’s one-of-a-kind edition of famed historian Ralph Thoresby’s Ducatus Leodiensis. Printed in the mid-1740s, the incredible book will be on display at the library until the New Year.

Leeds Central Library’s one-of-a-kind edition of famed historian Ralph Thoresby’s Ducatus Leodiensis. Printed in the mid-1740s, the incredible book will be on display at the library until the New Year.

Leeds Central Library’s one-of-a-kind edition of famed historian Ralph Thoresby’s Ducatus Leodiensis. Printed in the mid-1740s, the incredible book will be on display at the library until the New Year. The lengthy series of unique annotations it contains (shown here) were added by Thoresby’s contemporary and fellow antiquarian Thomas Wilson, and capture what is believed to be the first ever written record of the astonishing historical anecdote.

An aerial view of Leeds Kirkgate Market showing the aftermath of the fire which broke out on December 13 in 1975. Copyright: Leeds Libraries.

The damaged remains of part of Leeds Kirkgate Market following a fire on December 13 in 1975. Copyright: Leeds Libraries.

View of Leeds Kirkgate Market on December 19 in 1975, six days after a fire destroyed two-thirds of the site. Copyright: Leeds Libraries.

The fragile vintage snacks, more than a century old, were originally issued to servicemen as a durable emergency ration but were reputedly so unpalatable, they were instead repurposed as a humorous way of staying in touch with loved ones over Christmas. Dating from 1914, one of the biscuits currently stored at the Leeds Discovery Centre may have been the final contact Private William Maxwell had with his family before his tragic death.

Curator Kitty Ross with Private Maxwell's festive message at Leeds Discovery Centre. The fragile vintage snacks, more than a century old, were originally issued to servicemen as a durable emergency ration but were reputedly so unpalatable, they were instead repurposed as a humorous way of staying in touch with loved ones over Christmas. Dating from 1914, one of the biscuits currently stored at the Leeds Discovery Centre may have been the final contact Private William Maxwell had with his family before his tragic death.

Curator Kitty Ross with Private Maxwell's festive message at Leeds Discovery Centre. The fragile vintage snacks, more than a century old, were originally issued to servicemen as a durable emergency ration but were reputedly so unpalatable, they were instead repurposed as a humorous way of staying in touch with loved ones over Christmas. Dating from 1914, one of the biscuits currently stored at the Leeds Discovery Centre may have been the final contact Private William Maxwell had with his family before his tragic death.