Trading Stories: The John Evan Bedford Library of Furniture History

Join our team for an insight into work on the remarkable collection of the John Evan Bedford Library of Furniture History.

Join our Rare Book Specialist, Project Archivist and Collections Officer to hear about their work cataloguing this remarkable collection and see some of their selected highlights.

The John Evan Bedford Library of Furniture History is an exceptional collection covering all aspects of the English home, from interiors and furnishings to lighting and metalwork, drapery and upholstery to architectural and garden design. The collection is a highlight of our Art and Antiques Market Collections.

The book collection comprises over 3,000 printed items, many of them extremely rare and in some cases unique. The archive is particularly rich in ephemera including trade cards, labels and pamphlets, many of which are unknown outside this collection. The archive also contains the files of furniture historians and those of the late art and antique dealer John Bedford, who compiled significant research on various furniture makers, sellers and associated subjects.

The cataloguing project is funded by the John Victor Bedford Will Trust with the aim of making the collection fully searchable and accessible.

This talk will take place online. Pre-booking is required, a link will be sent the day before the event.

This event is part of Heritage Open Days, England's largest festival of history and culture. For more information about online and in person events taking place between 10 - 19 September, please visit the Event Directory: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting

If you experience any difficulties while registering for this event, please contact us at gallery@leeds.ac.uk so that we can assist you.