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

Art collections: Alphonse and Edmond de Rothschild

Few Rothschilds were more highly respected for their breadth of knowledge of fine art than James de Rothschild's sons, Alphonse (1827-1905) and Edmond (1845-1934). The final accolade came with Alphonse's election to the Académie Française, and Edmond's election to the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

While Edmond acquired a specialist's knowledge of engravings, Alphonse became an authority who was consulted by art historians over paintings of disputed provenance. Alphonse collected an astonishing range of some of Europe's rarest masterpieces, including a narrative series of painted leather panels by Govaert Flink, a pupil of Rembrandt. His collection of 18th-century French masterpieces was unique, and he filled his Paris house in the rue Saint-Florentin with works by Hobbema, Wynarts, Wouvermans and Rembrandt.

He also supported contemporary artists and his largesse extended to some 200 artistic institutions with the Académie des Beaux-Arts receiving FF 2,000 to use as a biennial prize.

Interior of the Chateau de Ferrières Paris

Interior of the Chateau de Ferrières Paris

Interior of the Chateau de Ferrières Paris

Interior of the Chateau de Ferrières Paris