Previous items of the month
- March’s item of the month is a travel guide giving a charming and enthralling insight into journeying in the Orient
January’s Item of the Month features printed charts and views of the Battle of Bunker Hill, from the chart and map collections.
December’s Item of the Month features a series of letters written by Susannah Middleton to her sister, Mary Leake.
November’s item of the month is the Isolario of Bartolomeo ‘Dalli Sonetti’.
October’s item of the month is a fascinating insight into life on board a Royal Navy aircraft carrier in the inter-war years.
September’s item of the month showcases two letters written by crew from the lower deck.
Our August Item of the Month celebrates the transatlantic telegraph cable. Join us on a journey through the National Maritime Museum’s collections.
May’s item of the month is the crew agreement for the last voyage of the emigrant ship Cospatrick.
April’s item of the month is a volume from the Museum’s shipbuilding series of manuscripts.
March’s Item of the Month is a little different: .. -. -.. .. .- - ---- -.-. …. .. -. .- (or India to China)
February's Item of the Month is a recently acquired prize ledger compiled under Sir Coutts Trotter and dating from 1786-1792.
A selection of photographs relating to a Christmas production of Aladdin as performed by the staff of RNAS Culdrose.
Two charts from the National Maritime Museum's chart and map collections.
A book focusing on the sugar trade, written by the Scottish historian John Campbell and first published in 1763.
The ‘journal of cruise of H.M. Ship Maender’ kept by Captain Henry Keppel and beautifully illustrated by Oswald Brierly.
A souvenir pamphlet produced in 1933 for the 'Greenwich Night Pageant', celebrating Greenwich's maritime history.
An illustrated journal written by Francis Meynell, a naval officer during the Crimean War.
A narrative of the fascinating voyage and discovery of the sea passage between Isla de los Estados and the Tierra del Fuego.
A letter written by an eyewitness at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet at the end of First World War.
Diary of St Andrew’s Waterside Church Mission, 1887-1905, which served the spiritual needs of sailors, fishermen and emigrants.
Harriot and de Bry’s 'A briefe and true report...' is the first and most influential volume in the Grands Voyages series.
An hand-drawn story book from 1879 containing three stories, 'The Adventures of a Castaway', 'The Adventures of Tom and Jerry' and 'Ye Pirate'.
William Falconer’s 'The Shipwreck' recounts the final voyage of the merchant ship 'Britannia' and her crew.
A broadsheet telling the ‘faithful history of the romantic and perilous adventures of that interesting young female Anne Jane Thornton’.
The humorous, illustrated scrapbook includes photographs and hand-drawn illustrations from the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.
A small military map of the Battle of Fishguard, which led to the defeat of the last foreign invasion of Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.
A manuscript account of Anson's voyage, 1740-44, written by Laurence Millechamp who joined the squadron as a purser of the 'Tryal' sloop.- One of the last attempts to seriously portray a known island as a genuinely innocent, if flawed, paradise.
A magnificent hand-coloured view of St. Peter's Port and Castle Cornet, Guernsey, is the work of the 17th-century military engineer Thomas Phillips.
Alfred Withers' diary covers his voyage with Margaret his bride, on the 'James Baines' from Liverpool to Melbourne, Australia in 1857
Illustrated manuscript by Lieutenant William Pringle Green, 1812.
An illustrated brochure produced by the Orient Line to publicise their 23,000 ton passenger liner, RMS 'Orion', launched in September 1935.
The first published account of the second Dutch voyage to the East Indies, commanded by Cornelis Van Neck and Admiral Wybrandt Van Warijck.
The diary and catalogue of Dr Dee from the original manuscripts in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford and Trinity College Library, Cambridge.- The letters form an interesting and little known connection between an infamous Lord and a famous admiral.
The illustrated log of HMS 'Trafalgar', kept by Captain Edward William Hereford 1851-55.
'Aurora Australis' was the "first book ever written, printed, illustrated and bound in the Antarctic".- The item of the month for December is a quirky reminiscence by Sir Norman Egbert Denning of a Christmas incident involving Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond books.
In 1812, Russian ships arrived in England, one of which was commanded by Rear-Admiral Ogilivy, a Scotsman who had entered Russian service in 1783.
The letters of John Parr, an ordinary Jack Tar during the Napoleonic Wars.
British public interest in the American War of Independence encouraged map production so that people could follow the struggle.
This commonplace 18th century book of medicine was taken by mutineers from the HMS Bounty to their retreat on Pitcairn Island.
The Tapestry Hangings of the House of Lords depict the English victory over the Spanish Armada.
Nicholas Pocock's logbook sketches and entries have provided factual information for maritime historians.
This selection of Fairfax's letters cover his first letter home from sea, the taking of Gibraltar in 1704, and fox hunting with King James II.
This menu shows the last dinner served to second-class passengers on the maiden voyage of the ill-fated RMS 'Titanic' on 14 April 1912.
The Cunard Line produced magazines that seem to have been aimed at staff and crews, such as this 1928 Christmas publication.
The Pitcairn Register charted 'Births, Deaths, Marriages and Remarkable Family Events', from the founding of the settlement until 1854.
The document claims that the information was gathered from secret documents found at the Spanish court of the 16th Century.
The plan of Chatham Dockyard Chapel from 1808 shows that seating was arranged according to rank, resulting in some friction.
An early English edition of Vernes' seminal novel, featuring an attack by a giant squid on the submarine 'Nautilus'.
A chart of the Battle of the Falkland Islands in 1914 shows the tracks of both Royal and German naval vessels.
Advertisement demonstrating how Britain’s maritime heritage has been an important source for advertisers.
The Museum holds various papers relating to Samuel Pepys’s naval career and personal life.
The 'Yachting Monthly', first published in May 1906, is the longest running UK magazine of its kind.
A crew list from 1891 and a logbook from 1870, for the 'Cutty Sark'.
Some of the remaining papers of Marryat, including letters and pages from a family scrapbook.
The letter explains how Marc Brunel (father of Isambard) invented the tunnelling shield, which was used to create the Thames tunnel.
The plans of Greenwich Hospital in 1793, produced by Robert Mylne, Clerk of the Works at Greenwich Hospital.
An official Admiralty publication of 1910, intended to form the basis of physical training and exercise in all Royal Navy ships and establishments.
Two pocket-sized guides from 1894 and 1950 concerning two essential jobs onboard ships at different periods.
This pocket book contains essential information required to order the correct amount of food and drink for ships serving on various stations.
Edmond Halley's copy of Flamsteed's catalogue, published incomplete and against Flamsteed's wishes in 1712.
This is the earliest such treatise on diving known to exist in English. It was written around 1720-30.
Three charts and plans illustrating the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War.
Cunard Steamship Company Ltd's Souvenir of the Launching of RMS 'Aquitania' in 1913.
Sketch apparently made 14 hours after Napoleon’s death, drawn by naval officer and later novelist Captain Frederick Marryat.
The fascinating narrative of the only survivor of the brig 'Clio', Alex Paton, and his escape from capture by pirates.
Atkinson's satire of British officials and residents in the fictional village of Kabob in India in the 19th century.
Elizabeth Hornby's journal and illustrations are a rare insight into life in the mid-19th century Royal Navy from a female and familial viewpoint.
The Caird Library holds copies of the 'Illustrated London News' from 1842–1989.
After the American War of Independence, a more flexible flag signalling system was developed.
Some colourful examples from the Caird Library's extensive sheet music collection.
English edition of the work of Stephan Krasheninni who accompanied Vitus Bering on the Great Northern Expedition to explore easternmost Siberia.
Two manuscript charts illustrating the Battle of Navarino, a naval engagement fought during the Greek War of Independence.
World War II recruitment material for the WRNS and Women in Defence.
Captain Lyon's journal includes personal details and observations that are not recorded in the official account.
Captain Thomas Tizard's personal papers include material from the HMS 'Challenger' voyage.
The books that make up this collection are bound in wood taken from the wreck of the 'Royal George'.
This book includes detailed instructions for building all the various types of ships in the Navy at the time of William Keltridge.
This example of a rare book represents the little-known collection of music scores at the museum.
Illustrations from a rare book showing Lieutenant Halkett's amazing inflatable 'boat cloak'.
A Christmas Day menu from HMS 'Hood' in 1935, and a photo of Wrens stirring a Christmas pudding, 1965.
A volume depicting sailing directions of each light and buoy, from the East Coast around to the Bristol Channel.
The logbook records many aspects of the ship’s voyage, as well as the health of the passengers and the condition of the ship.
Extra master’s certificate of Captain Smith, captain of RMS 'Titanic'.
Illustration of the sick bay and dispensary aboard HMS San Domingo by Captain Pechell.
