The late Leslie Shepard (1917–2004), born in London, was a world authority and prolific writer on street literature, early film, the paranormal, and many other subjects. He settled in Dublin for the last decades of his life, bringing with him a large collection of ephemeral prints and popular images, to which he constantly added.

He generously donated much material of Irish interest to the Archive shortly after its foundation, and bequeathed to it in his will (kindly administered by his daughter Jill Shepard Glenstrup) the remainder of his Irish-interest items. The following ballad sheets are a selection from the Collection, which is fully available to visitors within the Archive.

With thanks to Jill Shepard Glenstrup.