Our Collection

Our very special collection includes some of Gustav Holst’s personal belongings and handwritten musical scores, as well as items from the daily life of a middle-class Victorian household. The items below give you a sense of the range of items you can see in the House. Each one was chosen by one of our Volunteers as their ‘Object of the Week’ during the Covid 19 lockdown.

Carte-de-visite of Mary Lediard

Carte-de-visite of Mary Lediard

Carte-de-visite of Gustav Holst’s grandmother Mary Lediard

A copper jelly mould in the shape of a monkey

Monkey jelly mould, 19th century

A copper jelly mould in the shape of a monkey. Now, where’s that ice-cream?

Self-Portrait with Brother, Gustavus

A portrait of Holst’s grandfather and great uncle

Image of the Punch and Judy Toby

Punch and Judy die-cast scrap

Punch and Judy on a die cast scrap of paper, 19th century

Victorian Soap Savers ath the Holst Victorian House

Soap saver

Could this Victorian soap saver be due a revival in today’s kitchens?

Constantia

Watercolour of Constantia von Holst

Painted in 1827 by her brother Theodor

Small Victorian mangles

What were these small mangles used for in Victorian times?

Photo of a black cast iron kitchen range with red surround. The fire is lit

The kitchen range

The Victorian range in the Museum’s kitchen – still in regular use

Absolom tea tin, 1932

Find out how to avoid tea intoxication!

Romantic Scotland

Two oil paintings by John MacWhirter

Derby shell vase

Crown Derby shell vase

Longing for the seaside? Feast your eyes on this Crown Derby shell vase from 1810-20.

German Market Toys

German market toys

From the ‘toy centre of the world’

Pastille Burner

Victorian pastille burner

A pastille burner… or Victorian air freshener

Curling tongs and glove stretchers

Curling tongs and glove stretchers

Victorian hairdressing – or implements of torture!