Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives

Special Collections and Archives looks after the treasures of Cardiff University. We support researchers of all kinds by making our collections and expertise available at our dedicated reading room in Cardiff.
Whether you are visiting an archive for the first time, or an experienced researcher – we would be happy to welcome you. In addition to our unique collections, we are home to a state-of-the-art digitisation studio, a teaching space and extensive online collections. We work collaboratively across the University and beyond to bring our collections to life, and welcome enquiries from academic, international, creative and community projects.

Special Collections and Archives, Arts and Social Studies Library, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
www.cardiff.ac.uk/special-collections 02920 879369 Search the catalogue

Opening Hours

To book a space in the reading room or to request material: please email specialcollections@cardiff.ac.uk

Aberystwyth University Archives

Anglesey Archives

Bangor University, Archives and Special Collections

Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives

Carmarthenshire Archives

Ceredigion Archives

Conwy Archive Service

Gladstone’s Library

Glamorgan Archives

Gwent Archives

Gwynedd Archives Service – Caernarfon Record Office

Gwynedd Archives Service – Meirionnydd Record Office

North East Wales Archives (Hawarden)

North East Wales Archives (Ruthin)

Pembrokeshire Archives

Powys Archives

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Archives and Library

The National Library of Wales

The Richard Burton Archives, Swansea University

University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Special Collections and Archives

West Glamorgan Archive Service

West Glamorgan Archive Service – Neath Antiquarian Society Archives

Wrexham Archives and Local Studies

Updates from Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives

Items from Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives

  1. Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives

    Manuscript for ‘Blenheim Oranges’ by Edward Thomas.

    Hand-written by the poet and critic, who is best known for his writing on the natural world. His archive is full of diverse examples of his work, as well as personal correspondence and field notes from his walks in nature.

    This literary archive is one example of the personal collections under the care of the service, which also looks after archives from figures from fields such as politics, healthcare, journalism, music and beyond.

    1916 Catalogue Link
  2. Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives

    This small, useful book instructs us on “The art of polite correspondence”, in both English and Welsh. It deals with business, friendship, romance and much more – and provides bilingual (or “duoglott”) templates for letter writers in all sorts of situations:

    “From a merchant’s widow, to a Lady, a distant relation, in behalf of her two orphans”, or “From a lover to his mistress, recovered from sickness” – which provides the polite way to tactfully explain why you didn’t visit during her recent illness.

    Its pages feature ink splodges and fingerprints, showing that a letter-writer in the past may have taken its advice.

    1832 Catalogue Link
  3. Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives

    A history of the world, starting with Creation – Fasciculus Temporum was one first bestsellers in history. The first printed books are known as Incunabula – Latin for ‘swaddled in cloth’ or ‘early beginnings’.

    Published in Germany in 1474, this book uses a mix of diagrams, timelines and columns of text to tell the entire history of the world. This particular copy once belonged to Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex.

    1474 Catalogue Link