Since 2016, 21st April has been designated as National Tea Day, a celebration of all things British. In particular it is a celebration of tea – long held in popular culture to be the nation’s favourite beverage, although some (including the Head of Archives and Special Collections!) might argue that it has now been overtaken by coffee.
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This post showcases some of the books, photographs and documents held by Archives and Special Collections and relating broadly to a tea-y theme. Have a browse and tell us, what’s your favourite brew? Visit our website or email specialcollections@le.ac.uk to find out more about us and the work we do, or pop in to the reading room (in the basement of the David Wilson Library). Sadly, though, in order to protect our rare books and archival material, we will have to ask you to leave your tea at the door!
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ULA/FG6/1/5
ULA/FG9/2/5
SLS/D5/12/7/1
PR14/14/6
In previous years, formal tea parties were important social events. Shown here are the costs for a 1936 tea party held for the university Old Students’ Association.
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A ‘ghost sign’ is an old advertising sign painted by hand onto a building wall, so-called because they may outlive the company they represent, or survive after the building’s use has changed. Explore Special Collections Online’s collection of Leicestershire ghost signs.
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© Colin Hyde
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© Colin Hyde
Major events in the British Royal Family – such as births, weddings and coronations – are inevitably marked by the issuing of commemorative china. After all, the only thing more British than the Royal Family is a nice cup of tea… or so the stereotype goes…
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Love the ghost signs; still see them around Auckland. Lovely article, thankyou