Tagged files are typically comprised of paper, but may also contain other materials and formats, such as photographs, booklets, folded maps or loose objects. They have a protective cover and are ...

Large-format documents include maps, plans and artworks. They may be flat or folded and can be made of a variety of materials and media. Large documents are vulnerable to tears and losses around their ...

Volumes – or books – are composite objects that can come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, weights and materials. While binding styles may have changed over the centuries, the component parts of a ...

The outermost layer of a roll or bundle is vulnerable to abrasion and damage when removed from or returned to its housing. The edges of rolls and bundles can be at risk of tearing and cracking through ...

The size, weight and condition of rolled parchment documents can present some handling challenges. Rolled parchment documents may be made of several membranes sewn end-to-end or sewn together at the ...

Parchment bundles come in a variety of sizes and weights, some of which may present handling issues. They can be made from single membranes sewn together at the head, or an assortment of different ...

More than 81% of The National Archives’ collections are made from paper. This includes tagged files, flat maps and plans, rolls, bundles, volumes and artworks. During manufacture, wood or other ...

materials made from hazardous substances, such as insecticides, pigments, asbestos, and chemicals. materials with hazardous physical and/or chemical properties, such as cellulose nitrate film.

All visitors to The National Archives who wish to access the collection must apply for a reader’s ticket, will be asked to watch a short video on document handling and will be subject to the rules of ...

Photographic materials include prints, blueprints, x-rays, negatives and microfilm. Photographs are composite objects made up of a support layer coated with light-sensitive emulsion. The most common ...

Made from animal skin, parchment is a material that has been highly processed to create a good writing surface. A single sheet or skin is referred to as a ‘membrane’ and will vary in size according to ...

Seals were used to authenticate documents, as well providing proof of identity. Most commonly, they are made of wax, shellac (animal resin) or lead. They can be attached directly to a document surface ...