Royal Commonwealth Society Artefacts Collection

Soon after its foundation in 1868, the Royal Colonial Institute had envisaged the establishment of a museum, but following the 1886 Colonial and Indian Exhibition in South Kensington, and the creation of the Imperial Institute, the plan was abandoned. Over the years, however, the society built up a small, eclectic collection of objects as members donated items they had received as gifts or purchased during work or travel overseas.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Very little is known of the provenance of some objects.

Includes index.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

This item level description was created by MJC.