Collections by type
These pages contain descriptions of our main collections. To view collections objects and records online, see our Collections website, Archive catalogue and Library catalogue. You can also view a number of our historic photographs on Flickr.
A full alphabetical list of the collections is also available.
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The Library contains over 140,000 books and periodicals. The manuscripts collection is the world's largest and most important dedicated archive for...
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The Museum's large and varied collection includes about 400 globes and armillary spheres, 40 sundials, 360 telescopes, 70 astrolabes and 40... -
The Museum collections contain more than 100,000 sea charts and maps dating from the medieval period to the present day. -
There are approximately 5000 coins and medals with a maritime or Greenwich association in our collection. -
The decorative art collections include silver, ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, textiles and sailor's craftwork. These items total almost 6000... -
The figureheads and ornamental carving collection traces the development of ornamental carving from the late 17th to the early 20th century. -
The Museum's collection of over 1500 documented films dating back to 1910 provides a rich insight into Britain's relationship with the sea. -
The Museum holds the country's finest collection of historic maritime photographs, with prints and negatives dating back to the beginnings of... -
The Museum's relics collection includes over 270 relics of Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated last expedition. -
The National Maritime Museum has one of the finest ship model collections in the world with around 3200 models in total. -
The Museum looks after the largest single collection of original ship plans in the world. The one million plans date from the early-18th century to... -
The National Maritime Museum specializes in precision timekeeping. With over 1000 objects, it is the finest collection of its kind in the world.... -
The Museum has an extensive collection of weapons that includes firearms, ordnance and edged weapons such as swords and daggers.
