The Collections
The main collections held include:
Fashion, Beauty & Costume: including everyday fashions, mainly from the second half of the 20th Century; sewing and knitting patterns, shoes and accessories, beauty packaging, carnival masks, international costume and a substantial collection of skins and furs.
Audio Visual: comprising radios, televisions, record players, records, personal stereos, tape recorders and projectors.
Electrical: including vacuum cleaners, kettles, coffee makers, teasmades, food mixers, irons, hairdryers, heaters and toasters.
Domestic: including thermos flasks, soda syphons, kitchen equipment, carpet sweepers etc.
Lighting: this includes a range of light shades, lamps and torches.
Plastics: from early examples including Bakelite and Bandalasta, Melaware, Tupperware, egg cups to many contemporary examples.
Newspapers: local, national and international examples covering the 20th Century with major collections relating to the Coronation and other royal events, the Gulf War, Diana - Princess of Wales etc.
Printed Ephemera: including trade catalogues, club flyers, jeans labels, post cards and visitor guides.
Packaging: a wide range of British and foreign packaging including a large collection of carrier bags.
Photographic: A range of cameras and related photographic equipment.
Ceramics and Glassware: including Poole pottery, cruet sets, commemorative ware, Pyrex, milk bottles carrying advertising images etc.
Calculators and Computers: a range of examples from the 1970's onward, including adding machines.
University College Ephemera: an archive of prospectuses and publications relating to the history of the University College.
Telecommunications: a collection of telephones and related items including a selection of mobile phones.
