Exhibition

Significant Signatures: Autograph Letters from the Waddesdon Archive

26 March - 2 November 2025

Unseen letters from history’s most intriguing figures, revealed for the first time.

In 2024, a routine cataloguing project in the Waddesdon Archive uncovered something extraordinary. An ordinary archive box revealed 229 letters and papers written or signed by some of history’s greatest and most influential figures. A curated selection of these artefacts, many of which have never been seen by the public before, will now be on display at the Waddesdon.

Among the letters are correspondences from historical giants such as Elizabeth I, Benjamin Franklin and Lord Byron, as well as a musical manuscript by Mozart.

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Free entry
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Visitor information

Address

Waddesdon

Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
01296 820414

Opening times

Waddesdon is open Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm (last admission 3pm).

All visitors, including Art Fund members who have free admission, are encouraged to pre-book their tickets. Timed admission for the House must be booked in advance.

Please visit the Waddesdon website for full opening details.

Visitor information

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