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

Arms & armour

With the exception of a few pieces inherited from her brother, Ferdinand, Alice de Rothschild (1847-1922) probably built up her collection entirely after taking over Waddesdon in 1898 at the age of 51.

She made her purchases under the guidance of Sir Guy Laking, Keeper of the Royal Armouries, who was in touch with numerous antique dealers from whom Alice could make her purchases privately. Alice's collection of arms and armour consisted of over 200 pieces of all types from the late 15th to the early 19th centuries.

Her preference, however, was for arms from the 16th and 17th centuries. From this period she collected swords, daggers, firearms and powder-flasks. Throughout the collection the emphasis was on highly decorated arms.

Although she collected few examples of armour, those that Alice acquired were important for their embossed work. They included a helmet and a pair of elbow-pieces made for Emperor Charles V, and a shield produced in the French royal workshop in the mid-16th century.

Miss Alice de Rothschild (1847-1922).

Miss Alice de Rothschild (1847-1922).