The Dictionary of British Arms: Report of Progress

Extract

The collection of material for the Dictionary of British Arms under the Croft Lyons bequest has been in progress since early in 1940. It is thought that Fellows may now wish to have some account of the progress made, the problems met with, and the solutions proposed. An article which appeared in this journal in October 1941 explained that the material was being gathered from primary heraldic sources in card-index form, asked for help with the work, and set out in some detail the forms of entry decided on. The summary of cards written which follows will show how generous and notable the answer to the appeal for help has been. The annual income from the bequest is now about £600. From this Council has authorized for the present an expenditure of £300 a year, the balance being saved against the much heavier expenditure which the later, editorial, stage of the work will call for. Even now the rapid progress made has only been possible because the bulk of the indexing has been done by Fellows and others without payment, while there is at this stage no need for a paid editor or editorial staff. The bulk of expenditure so far has been on sorting and other office work, on the indexing of certain special sources such as the College of Arms and Lyon and Ulster Office Records, and on journeys, transport, photography, and materials.