The collection of Printed Books is the largest in its field accessible to the general public. The Department administers some 43,000 volumes published since the late 16th century, which include extensive holdings of both British and Indian regimental histories, campaign histories, biographies of both the famous and the lesser-known heroes of the Army, Official Army Lists and other crown publications.
In addition, files of over 700 journals are maintained, of which 200 are current. All of the Department’s holdings can be accessed on request via the Templer Study Centre.
Address: National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT
Head of Department: Mr Michael Ball
Department Email: books@national-army-museum.ac.uk
Enquiries
The National Army Museum will try to answer specific questions relating to its Collections. If you are researching the military career of a relative please visit our Research Tips page.
General enquiries about the Collections can be sent by e-mail to info@national-army-museum.ac.uk. Please remember to include your postal address on all e-mail enquiries to allow for the prompt dispatch of material, if appropriate. Please also bear in mind that the Museum receives a large number of enquiries, so it may not be possible to respond to e-mails immediately. All enquiries, in whatever form, are dealt with by the departments in the order of their receipt.
Museum staff are not permitted to give valuations: these may be obtained instead from an auction house or a specialist dealer.
The Museum may lend artefacts only to Registered (or the equivalent) museums for Special Exhibitions, for a maximum period of a year and subject to specific Conditions of Loan.
Ordering copy photographs from the National Army Museum
Copy photographs of items in the Collections can be supplied, providing that copyright of the image is held by the Museum. Please note that, under current EU legislation, copyright remains with the artist or photographer of a work for 70 years after their death and that, in these cases, the Museum cannot supply any reproductions, for any reason.
For more information about ordering copy photographs, please contact the Museum’s Photographic Department by e-mail to photo@national-army-museum.ac.uk, by telephone on 020 7730 0717 extension 2324, or by fax on 020 7823 6573.
