Reading through the ages
The charity, World Book Day, is holding its annual celebration on Thursday, 7 March, with events across the UK and Ireland. To mark the celebration, we have delved into the archives to share literary-themed photographs across North Yorkshire from years gone by.
Whether you enjoy reading for pleasure or for work, or you recall fond childhood memories of reading, this month’s collection offers a chance for reflection. So, whether you are currently reading from your book club’s reading list or walking down to your local library to explore the collections, there is sure to be a book waiting just for you.
These archive images are among more than 6,500 available at the County Record Office – including many more winter scenes. Browse the collection or buy photos.
If you have any further information about any of the images on this page, our archivists would be keen to hear about it. Please email yny@northyorks.gov.uk
A woman reading, from a collection found at the former photographer’s shop, Cheapside, Knaresborough. The photo dates from the Edwardian era.
A man holding a book, as he poses for his photographic portrait. It was common practise to pose with items such as books for formal portraits. From a collection found at the former photographer’s shop, Cheapside, Knaresborough. The photo dates from the Edwardian era.
Jim, Eva and a child named as Nancy, reading in a garden at Lower Dunsforth in August 1917. The image is from a collection of photographs by local amateur photographer Louisa Kruckenberg.
A girl reading in a garden at Lower Dunsforth in August 1923. The image is from a collection of photographs by local amateur photographer Louisa Kruckenberg.
A mobile library visiting Foxup in Littondale in the 1950s, from the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
The front cover of “The Old Hand Knitters of the Dales” by Marie Hartley and Joan Ingleby. (1951, first publication date) (1969, reprint).
The front cover of “Beautiful Wensleydale and By the Banks of the Yore” by Edmund Bogg (1925).
Photo showing an example of stump-work bookbinding (no date), from a historic photographic collection in the Bertram Unné collection.
The Praise of Yorkshire Ale” by G. Meriton (1684).