Frankie Roberto

c/o [FOI #344 email]

9 May 2008

Dear Mr. Roberto

Thank you for your email of 4 May which has been passed to me for reply.

The following table gives the number of objects held in our permanent collections broken down by collection. Figures are as of July 2007. The first column gives the number of physical items held. This is based on figures for inventory/location records in our collection databases. The second figure is for `objects' as conventionally defined (as a `catalogue' unit). This is an estimated figure, since not every object is catalogued electronically. Note: the figures include documentary material in the National Art Library and Theatre Collections (books, manuscripts etc).

If there is more information we can provide, please let me know. If you are dissatisfied with our response to your request you may, in accordance with our complaints procedure and the requirements of the FOI Act, ask for an internal review of our handling of the request. You should send your complaint in the first place to myself or to the V&A's FOI Officer Christopher Marsden. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome or handling of any internal review, you also have the right to refer the matter to the Information Commissioner.

Yours sincerely,

Alan Seal

Head of Records and Collections Services

V&A

Cromwell Road

London

SW7 2RL

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