Welcome toThe Rothschild Archive'swebsite

Sources for business history: plans of New Court

Sources for art history: Catalogue of the pictures of Alfred de Rothschild 1901

Sources for yachting history: Plans for Nathaniel von Rothschild's yacht Veglia 1905

Sources for natural history: Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild and his zebra carriage: c.1910

Sources for global financial history: Map of lines of the Brazil Railway Company: c.1920

Sources for business history: index cards to bank files

Sources for social history: Rothschild Hospital Paris: 1920s

Sources for business history: detail of a Rothschild bond coupon

Sources for architectural history: Halton House: 1890s

Sources for the history of travel: Lionel de Rothschild's tours of Spain: 1909

Sources for local history: Tring Park: c.1900

Sources for Royal history: shooting party with Edward Prince of Wales: 1893

Sources for political history: Lionel de Rothschild: first Jewish MP: 1858

Sources for sporting history: St Amant winner of the Derby: 1904

Sources for local history: gardeners at Aston Clinton: 1899

Sources for Rothschild family history: Lionel de Rothschild's yacht Rhodora: 1927

Sources for London history: entrance to New Court: 1965

Sources for design history: plans for Lionel de Rothschild's Rolls-Royce: 1930

Sources for business history: Rothschild gold bars produced by the Royal Mint Refinery: 1930s

Sources for business history: letters of August Belmont Rothschild Agent in New York: 1860s

Rothschild Collections microsite

The Rothschild Research Forum is a resource for those engaged in scholarly research into any of the many facets of Rothschild business and family history. The Forum contains different microsites, dedicated to a particular aspect of Rothschild history and research. The microsites contain guides to sources, transcripts, digital documents and more detailed information.

A research resource for Rothschild family collections

The Rothschilds were dedicated collectors. From books to butterflies, stamps to silver, they vied among themselves to develop the most spectacular collections. The great Rothschild houses were perfect settings for silverware, porcelain and art. Others, with scientific inclinations, sought out zoological and horticultural specimens.

Not content with merely gathering, the Rothschilds acquired the skills to develop collections of significance, adding to the knowledge of scientists and art historians worldwide. Many collections were bequeathed to libraries, galleries and museums, where they can be seen today.

Open to Research Forum members, researchers can now browse through the following sections of the Rothschild Collections microsite:

Collections: Home - Introduction to the site

Collections: Collections - Short introductions to a range of Rothschild collecting passions and interests, from Arms & Armour to Snuff boxes. With a link to the estates pages with info about the great Rothschild houses.

Collections: The Rothschild Genealogy - Links to the interactive family tree, so that researchers can trace branches and track how collections may have passed through the family.

Collections: Le Gout Rothschild - An essay on the Rothschild style and taste.

Collections: Sources - Guides to sources in RAL collections:

  • List of sales of major ‘Rothschild’ collections: 1850-1900; 1901-1950; 1951-2000; 2001-present
  • List of sale catalogues held by the Rothschild Archive London, organised alphabetically under name of Rothschild family members
  • Inventories: Complete list of inventories and descriptions of collections held by the Rothschild Archive London, organised alphabetically under name of Rothschild family members
  • Rothschild wills and bequests: Complete list of wills held by the Rothschild Archive London, organised alphabetically under name of Rothschild family member
  • Receipts and accounts: advice to researchers trying to track down papers about individual collections or pieces
  • Correspondence and other papers: advice to researchers trying to track down papers, with sections relating to the English family, French family and Austrian family
  • Restitution: advice to researchers about papers held by the Rothschild Archive London and links to other external sources for restitution research

Existing Rothschild Research Forum members Go to The Rothschild Collections microsite »

Apply for membership of the Rothschild Research Forum »

'Trinkhorn' Drinking horn in ivory and silver from the collection of Mayer Carl von Rothschild (1788-1855)

'Trinkhorn' Drinking horn in ivory and silver from the collection of Mayer Carl von Rothschild (1788-1855)

Waddesdon Manor the Buckinghamshire estate of Ferdinand de Rothschild which he filled with his collections of art and objects

Waddesdon Manor the Buckinghamshire estate of Ferdinand de Rothschild which he filled with his collections of art and objects