Special Collections

Directory of Southampton and neighbourhood, including Romsey, Netley (Hound), Netley (Totton), Bitterne, Sholing, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, Woolstone, Shirely, Freemantle, Millbrook, Redbridge, and all villages within seven miles of Southampton

Directories are an invaluable source of information about local people, businesses, and civic organisations. Sometimes they are compiled haphazardly, often a year or so out of date, and are printed with different production valiues. Paid advertisements, often trashed in rebindings or excluded from digitisation offer a treasure trove of printing styles and branding strategies.