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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

Exhibition - Faith & Charity

4: Charitable donations of the family

The Rothschild Archive contains some records of charitable donations made by Rothschild family members through the Bank at New Court. The Charity ledgers record the names of many of the diverse organisations who received donations between 1902 and 1916. Many of the donations were from Nathaniel Mayer, 1st Lord Rothschild, (1840-1915).

The donations cover a remarkable range of organisations across the country. Many are from organisations in London and the Vale of Aylesbury where the family had many residences; others are from overseas, including a few in South Africa. Many are from churches and sunday schools, representing a range of faiths. Interestingly many sports clubs are supported, including many cricket clubs - a growing popular sport at the time. Many donations are made to organisations representing railway and omnibus employees.

Donations in 1902

The ledger covering 1902 includes nearly 3,000 entries from 2 January to 31 December 1902 to individuals and organisations, many for the expenses for many of the events and excursions to celebrate the Coronation that took place that year. The total given in 1902 was £41,328.10.4, equivalent to over £4m today.

Just a few examples or organisations receiving donations include:

Anglo-Jewish Association
Stepney Jewish Schools
Soldiers and Sailors Families Association
Hospital for Consumption
Willesden Junction Railway Band
Surgical Aid Society
Dental Hospital
Drovers New Year’s Treat
South London Jewish School Needlework
Jewish Soup Kitchen
Merchant Seamen’s Orphan Asylum
Westminster Jews Free School
Tottenham Football Club
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society
Surrey Association for Blind
Society for Foreigners in Distress
Jewish Aged Needy Society
Middlesex Agricultural and Market Garden Society
London & South Western Railway Signalmen’s Association
Beaumont Cycling Club
Richmond Swimming Club
Central London Railway Cricket Club
Crufts Dog Show
Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage
Artists General Benevolent Institution
Brentford Football Club
Oakley Place Sunday School Sunday School Excursion
Clapton Mothers’ Fund
Rothschild Arms Benevolent Society
St. Luke’s Bermondsey Sunday School Excursion
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Royal Sea Bathing Hospital
East End Children’s Coronation Fete
Distressed Gentlefolks Aid Association
London Life Boat Saturday Fund
Cancer Research Fund
Earleswood Asylum
Christ Church Isle of Dogs Excursion
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Brentford Rowing Club
Chiswick Amateur Orchestral Society
East End Bread Meat and Coal Society
London Temperance Hospital

Read the full list here »