League of Nations: print resources

Introduction/Summary

The League of Nations existed from 1919 to 1946. The League oversaw the Permanent Court of Justice, and several other agencies and commissions were created such as the Health Organization, International Labour Organization, and Permanent Mandates Commission. The Library’s collection of League of Nations publications includes official papers that were distributed to members of the League, sales publications that were of interest to the public, and archival records of individuals, institutions, and governments eg the personnel files of League employees. In 1946 the League dissolved itself, transferring over assets, property and some functions to the United Nations.

This guide lists contains selected print works only.

Catalogue Search Tips

The Library holds thousands of League of Nations publications most of which are not listed individually in the National Library's catalogue. Most League of Nations publications are catalogued as journal publications and a list of the major ones, with links to the Library’s catalogue, is provided at the bottom of this guide. To identify individual publications, by either their official number for League of Nations papers, or sales number for League of Nations publications, it is necessary to use the catalogues and guides listed below under Reference Collection.

Example of an Official No.: C285.M123.1934 IV ie the 285th Council document distributed in 1934.

To request this item, find the catalogue record for League of Nations Papers and specify the series title, year and numbering, ie. “Council documents, 1934, no. 123".

Example of a Sales No.: 1934.IV.8 ie the 8th paper in the 1934 volume of the IV (4th) series.

To request this item, find the catalogue record for League of Nations Publications. 4, Social and specify the series title, year and numbering, ie. "Social Questions 1934, vol. 4, no. 8".

To search for works about the League of Nations, its agencies and commissions, select the Browse subjects option and enter the name of the organisation. Some examples of Browse subjects searches are:

Reference Collection

Available on open access in the Main Reading Room.

Catalogue of Publications 1920-1945. 1935-1946.: Gives the titles of all the publications offered for sale up to the end of 1945. RF 341.1 LEA
Consolidated Catalog of League of Nations Publications Offered for Sale. 1976.: Lists records, reports and discussions of the meetings of the Assembly and international conferences convened by the League, as well as the official text of resolutions and recommendations. Also includes the results of studies and enquiries undertaken. Publications are arranged by category, then chronologically, within each series. RF 341.22016 B617
Guide to League of Nations Publications: A Bibliographical Survey of the Work of the League, 1920-1947. 1951.: Includes documents relating to the League of Nations, the International Labour Organization and the Permanent Court of International Justice. Also includes documents relating to the transfer of League of Nations assets and functions to the United Nations. RF 341.22 AUF
League of Nations Documents 1919-1946: A Descriptive Guide and Key to the Microfilm Collection. 1973-1975.: Guide to all of the League of Nations documents published by Research Publications as part of its microfilm project titled League of Nations Documents and Publications, 1919-1946. NB The National Library holds print copies only, not the microfilm collection. RFq 341.22016 R418

Selected Print Resources

These resources must be requested through the catalogue.