This management group has been created to accommodate those artificial collections that exist within the archive. The major collections are the photographic archive and the printed programmes. In both cases the majority of each collection originates with the Hallé Concerts Society, but over time each collection has been added to and much of the original provenance has been lost. Particularly in the case of the photographs, they are infinitely easier to access if grouped together and so this has been done. Notes of original locations and depositors are given as appropriate. The third collection contains material donated to the Library.
Description: The Hallé Magazine was first published in 1946 and has been through various styles and guises, and has been produced at various intervals. Initially it was published by the Hallé Concerts Society. In 1952 it was handed over to the Hallé Club.
Description: The Archive Library contains volumes relating to the history of the Halle, including biographies and autobiographies of conductors and players. There are also works relating to others orchestras, orchestras and their music in general as well as reference works. The volumes have been donated and collected over many years and original provenance is in many cases lost, though recorded when known.
A major donation to the library was made in August 2006 by former Halle player Arthur Bevan. These volumes are identified within the main library.
Description: This section contains a collection of single items that have been sent to the archive and that have no natural place elsewhere. It has also been used to catalogue single items that have been recently deposited and where no accruals are expected. Many were handed over during the Hallé Centenary in 1958, but for others there are no real clues as to provenance. They have been listed as single items in the order in which they were found. Programmes from 1880 and 1883 have been added to HA/PR/2/1/22 & HA/PR/2/1/26.
Description: The collection consists primarily of publicity photographs of conductors and the orchestra, both in concert and in rehearsal. There are some studio portraits of the main Halle conductors, Sir Charles Halle himself, Hans Richter, Hamilton Harty and John Barbirolli in particular. In many cases the exact provenance of the photographs is unknown., many were inherited from the Marketing Department. Copyright in these photographs should not be assumed to be that of the Halle Concerts Society, where copyright owners have been identified this information is given in the relevant field.
Description: The collection of printed programmes is in two parts, the bound volumes of programmes, of which there are two basic sets, with some extra volumes of unknown provenance. There are also the loose programmes, more or less complete for the Manchester concerts, but with one or two gaps, particularly from the early seasons. There are also bound volumes for some of the concerts outside Manchester, but this is not a complete series.
Description: The sound collection comprises copies of commercial recordings by the Hallé, broadcasts, oral history and other recordings (for example speeches at several functions). Since 2000 it has been practice to record Hallé concerts at the Bridgewater Hall but these are kept purely for archive purposes. Where possible, listening copies of early recordings are made available. It is not possible to listen to the original shellac discs.
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