Thanks for the suggested solution. I have tried it and after some fiddling it works, however I am stuck on how to edit the generic 'List of Figures' heading to match my modified 'List of Plates' heading. This is how I changed the command you provided.
\usepackage{float}
\newfloat{plate}{htpb}{plt}[chapter]
\floatname{plate}{Plate}
\renewcommand{\theplate}{\arabic{plate}}
\setcounter{plate}{1}
\newcommand{\listofplatesname}{\large List of Plates}
\newcommand{\listofplates}{%
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{\listofplatesname}
\listof{plate}{\listofplatesname}}
In my document (book class) I have two files in the backmatter containing illustrations. Using \listoffigures generates a combined list of figures. I would like to generate a separate list of illustrations for each file starting on its own page and with its own heading to put in the Table of Contents. Wondering if there is a simple solution for this?
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{\normalsize \textbf{Plates} Colour Folios}
\input{chapterPLATES}
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{\normalsize \textbf{Figures} Comparative Illustrations}
\input{chapterFIGURES}
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{\normalsize References for Illustrations}
\renewcommand{\listfigurename}{ \large Figures}
{\small\listoffigures}
