Georgian Papers Programme
Cataloguing and digitisation of the Georgian Papers in the Royal Archives
George IV's Bills
Contained with the Georgian Papers collections are 41 boxes of accounts detailing purchases made by, and on the behalf of, George IV (including as Prince of Wales and Prince Regent) from 1783 to 1830. George IV's accounts demonstrate his wide ranging interests, including his passion for amassing expensive works of art and his extravagant tastes in furniture and furnishings, as well as his purchases of books, musical and optical instruments and prints. These Privy Purse accounts were meticulously kept and amount to thousands of documents, providing a thorough record of the King's purchases throughout his life. The entire collection of these accounts will be digitised and catalogued as part of the Georgian Papers Programme. To date, the following categories of bills have been made available on Georgian Papers Online:
Bills relating to furniture, lustres, clocks and linens
Amongst these accounts are a small number of bills relating to purchases made by Caroline, Princess of Wales, between 1805 and 1809. In addition, there is also correspondence concerning the installation of gaslighting at both Brighton Pavilion and Carlton House
Including sheet music, musical instruments, canes, umbrellas, spectacles, scientific/mathematical instruments etc.,as well as expenses incurred by his Private Band and also band expenses for his role as Colonel of the 10th Regiment of the Light Dragoons.
Bills for books, newspapers, prints, stationery, and purchases for the Royal Library
Bills for for the purchase of prints, enamels, and statuary