NPG - Correspondence relating to acquisitions of items for the collections

This series contains information relating to acquisitions more generally, such as the Contemporary Portraits Fund, 1932-1972, and large group acquisitions, including a file of correspondence and papers relating to portraits transferred from the Tate and the National Gallery, 1955-1972, and a file of correspondence and invoices relating to the purchase of engravings, 1945-1960.

Available to view by appointment in the Heinz Archive and Library Public Study Room, to make an appointment contact Archive Reception . Although records are generally available for public consultation, some information in them, such as personal data or information supplied to the Gallery in confidence, may be restricted.

The complete catalogue for this archive can be searched via the NPG Archive Catalogue .

Personal photography is permitted for research purposes only. Photocopying is not permitted.

Acquiring items for its collections has been a key part of the National Portrait Gallery's business since its foundation in 1856. The collections consist of the Primary Collection of Portraits, Reference Collection of Prints of Drawings and the Photographs Collection. The main sources of information relating to the acquisition are the Accessions Registers (NPG42), as well as the individual Registered Packets (Primary Collection: NPG46; Primary Collection Photographs; NPG60) for each item.