It's amazing what you can find in a box

IF body language really reveals someone's true character, we should have been a lot more worried than we were about Adolf Hitler in 1934. Just look at that pose. Clearly this is a man hell-bent on world domination. But to Reginald Hunt, Hitler was just another famous autograph to add to his growing collection, which is now held in York Explore Library.

Hunt owned thousands of signatures from Mahatma Gandhi to Harry Lauder; people who were only too willing to send theirs by return of post. But someone less obliging was Benito Mussolini, who, in another display of burgeoning megalomania, wrote to York corporation asking whether Hunt was a 'suitable person' to receive such a treat.

Surely that one question epitomises everything about Il Duce and his delusions.

Some of the autographs were bought, others applied for in writing and when you see names like Amy Johnson, a common thread emerges to explain away the collection's seemingly bizarre and eclectic nature.

It comes from a time of change; when pioneers were still breaking frontiers. Even dictators must have seemed exciting, before absolute power corrupted them absolutely.

Perhaps the most bizarre thing about Hitler and Mussolini's monickers is that they arrived in a box along with those of Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney, which just about sums up society's mood during Hunt's formative years.

Archivist Jenny McGarvey says equally interesting are a pair of early 20th century letters signed by two children called Bertie and David.

"They were written by the very young Edward VIII and George VI and purchased by Hunt at auction," she says. "I especially like David's which thanks grand papa for the 'nice medals' he was given."

These autographs are part of the latest collection to be catalogued in a new project to make the city's archive more accessible. But Jenny says it's not always plain sailing, In another miscellany being compiled some items are presenting more questions than answers. Take this boat moored up on the Ouse, which has really got her baffled.

"How on earth did it get there?" says Jenny. "Those masts couldn't possibly fit under the bridge and the hull alone looks too tall. It's like trying to figure out a ship in a bottle. I sat and stared at it for ages."

So what's the story here? If anyone can help, do get in touch with the library. After all this is our archive and any assistance will be gratefully received.

The photo was discovered while the archivists were trawling through old photos of York Motor Boat Club and the rowing club, but while a picture may paint a thousand words, it seems to lose that ability through the mists of time.

What you need are anecdotes and in a curious coincidence, Jenny and the team had a stroke of luck.

"At the exact moment we were cataloguing these photos, an email came through asking if we would like to have the minutes books from the rowing club," says Jenny. "Of course we said yes."

If only a similar one had come from the motor boatists to shed light on how that mystery galleon got so far upstream.

The minutes reveal a time of change. This photo dates from 1924 and shows a male dominated club, whereas the minute books are from 1946 and record new efforts to cater for retired rowers and youngsters. This was becoming more of a social club, even women were welcomed. Perhaps, due to their new found status in post war Britain.

Another addition to the archive which you might like to see is Francis Drake's personal copy of his Eboracum. Drake was York's first historian and this one is annotated with notes in the margin.

"Interestingly this is fundamentally different to the version most people see from 1736, which has a big colour insert," says Jenny. "We don't know if this was a proof that has come back for approval, but I do wonder whether it's for a second edition."

In essence the cataloguing project is about sifting the archive, choosing the greatest hits from each collection, if you like. You can, of course, still delve as deep as you like, but the point is you don't have to.

"There's no way we can be totally objective, its always subjective to the individual," says Jenny. "What I see as more interesting will come out in the catalogue I produce because it will be more prominent. There's always a bit the archivist that goes with it."

For some people the stereotypical image of an archive is dusty tomes closely guarded by academics for academics, But Jenny says if that was once the case, it certainly isn't now. And York Explore is keen for all of us to book an appointment to view the social history of this city at first hand.

"These collections are for the people of York," she says. "There's no reason why anyone who wants to can't come in and have a look at them."

Standalone quote "These collections are for the people of York. There's no reason why anyone who wants to can't come in and have a look at them." – Jenny McGarvey.

You can access the archive on Monday Tuesday Wednesday 9.30am to 5pm and Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm. Appointments are recommended by email to archives@exploreyork.org.uk The York Explore collection contains thousands of unique documents, plans and photographs that tell the story of 800 years of York's history. The oldest document dates from 1155, the most recent from 2012.

The Archives and Local History Service is part of the £1.6 million Heritage Lottery Funded York: Gateway to History, project.