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Crampton Library

One of the largest flag libraries in the world, with 76,000+ items in our free-to-download catalogue.

The Crampton Library is a major flag research centre whose digital resources, free-to-download catalogue and active collecting make it unique in world vexillology.

Our rich archives embrace flags modern and historical, UK and worldwide, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. We have digitised a lot of our collection and add new stock regularly by exchange, download, purchase and gifts. And our Crampton Library catalogue is steadily indexing every item.

Covering over 100 years of flag scholarship, our collection includes books, magazines, articles, personal papers, letters, cuttings, artwork, photographs, transparencies, postcards, index cards and scrapbooks.

Look out for leading vexillologists such as EMC 'Ted' Barraclough, Admiral Gordon Campbell, William Crampton, IO Evans, Karl Fachinger, Malcolm Farrow, Michael Faul, Louis Loynes, Ottfried Neubecker, Bruce Nicolls, Jos Poels, David Prothero, Whitney Smith and more.

Free

Library catalogue

Unique in world vexillology and free in .xlsx for everyone to download. Updated every May and November, the catalogue now lists 76,000+ items.

Crampton Library Catalogue

76,000+ items, updated May and November, .xlsx

Download the catalogue
Member

Clarion: new additions

For members only, Clarion keeps you up to date with new additions to our collections and catalogue.

  • E-newsletter published each May and November
  • The latest May 2026 issue covers 5,174 new items added since November 2025

Clarion is exclusive to members

Join from £22 a year to secure your copy.

Free

Crampton Library indexes

Our subject indexes are free in .xlsx for everyone to download.

Shipping house flags

10,000+ items, .xlsx

Download the index

Recreational boating flags

9,000+ items, .xlsx

Download the index
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