Our Photographic Collection

The Local Studies photographic collection consists of over 80,000 photographs, prints and postcards representing the social, recreational and working lives of the region, from the birth of photography in the 1850's to the present day.  They can be viewed on level 6 of the City Library.  Digital copying of the images is not permitted, however a photocopy may be taken.

View archive images online

Over 7,000 historic photographs of Newcastle and the surrounding areas from our collection, are online on Flickr .  The images include nearly one thousand images from our Torday Collection.  Laszlo Torday was a photographer who arrived in Tynemouth in January 1940 from Hungary and took most of his photographs of Tyneside during the 1960's and 1970's.  They reflect his interest in the streets and people of Newcastle especially of central Newcastle and the suburbs of Heaton and Jesmond.

Ordering a Photograph - this service is currently unavailable

You can request a copy of a photograph in our collection, they can be provided in either digital or hard copy formats.  Details of the cost can be found here. 

Ordering and pre-payment can be made at the City Library on level 6, payment can be made by cash, cheque or card, alternatively contact us with any queries:

Heritage Team

Charles Avison Building

City Library

33 New Bridge St West

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 8AX

Telephone: 0191 277 4100

Email: information@newcastle.gov.uk

To request the use of a photograph for publication please contact the Heritage Team via email information@newcastle.gov.uk, details of the cost can be found here .