Sub-sub-fonds 9 - Picture library records

801 boxes

Photographic prints and negatives from the picture libraries of the Guardian in Manchester and London.

Administrative/Biographical history: The Manchester Guardian began using photographs in the early 20th century and employed its first staff photographer, Walter Doughty, in 1908. A picture library was originally established in Manchester and a separate library was created in London following the relocation of major editorial departments in the 1960s. The Manchester Library and darkroom was closed in the 1980s but the London library was maintained as a working picture library up until c2000. However, the introduction of digital technology led to a gradual decline in use and eventually the London library was also closed. The picture libraries were transferred to the GNM Archive and have been repackaged and catalogued. Original order of the libraries has been retained throughout.
Creator: Manchester Guardian; Picture Desk

Original order of libraries retained. Titles of series are either prefixed as London or Manchester denoting which picture library the prints originate from.

Manchester Evening News picture library:

Our holdings do not inlucde any part of th the Manchester Evening News picture library itself, but our Manchester Guardian picture library does include images that were used in the MEN, and some taken by photographers who worked for both newspapers.

When the MEN Stockport office was cleared (by John Mead johnm@mirrorpix.com) in 2010 he transferred 60,000 photographics prints (mainly dated from the 1980s - 90) and some photographic negatives from the earlier 1980s to Watford. Manchester Central Library may hold the larger part of the print archive.