Hobsbawm’s shelf-life

Sir, – Jim Smith's insightful review of Richard J Evans's Eric Hobsbawm: A Life in History (Books, March 2nd) noted that my predecessor was wary of the Communist Party Historians Group journal, Past & Present, and refused to take out a subscription. I suspect this may be some exaggeration, and we now hold printed (and digital) copies of this prestigious journal on open shelf at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, with many copies carefully indexed by our staff. Admittedly, the introduction to Issue 1 (1952) is only in photostat form. We are happy to welcome readers to see them – and indeed any of our extensive collections of historical materials – for themselves. – Yours, etc,

Dr MATTHEW J SHAW,

Librarian,

Institute of Historical

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Research,

Senate House,

Malet Street,

London.