Collections Royal Geographical Society

1 collections

1.1 artefacts
1.2 books , journals
1.3 expedition report
1.4 maps , atlases
1.5 manuscript archive
1.6 events recordings
1.7 photographs , artworks

collections

a representation of historical emblem of royal geographical society

the society s collections consist of on 2 million documents, maps, photographs, paintings, periodicals, artefacts , books, , span 500 years of geography, travel , exploration. society preserves collections benefit of future generations, while providing public access , promoting collections-related educational programmes schools , lifelong learners. foyle reading room acts consultation space using society s collections, , hosts showcases , workshops inspired series of talks.

artefacts

the artefacts collection includes on thousand items brought society, consisting of cultural objects around world, ranging inuit boots (from canadian arctic) ceremonial leopard’s claws (from belgian congo), paraphernalia of exploration, example oxygen sets used in various attempts on everest, , personal items belonging of world’s greatest explorers, such shackleton’s burberry helmet. artefacts collection have been loaned exhibitions around world , in continual demand.

books , journals

the library collection holds on 150,000 bound volumes date foundation of society in 1830 onwards, , focus on history , geography of places worldwide. example volumes include information on european migration, 19th-century guidebook berlin, , david livingstone’s account of search source of nile. receives around 800 journal titles, many more journal titles either not subscribed to, or have ceased publication, allowing society members access latest geographical academic literature in addition journals published rgs-ibg itself.

expedition report

the rgs-ibg houses unique collection of 4,500 expedition reports. these documents contain details of achievements , research results of expeditions every country of world. catalogue of these reports, , on 8,500 planned , past expeditions, held on database provides contact wide variety of sporting, scientific , youth expeditions 1965 present day.

maps , atlases

the society holds 1 of largest private map collections in world continuously increasing. includes 1 million sheets of maps , charts, 3000 atlases, 40 globes , 1000 gazetteers. earliest printed item in collection dates 1482. rgs-ibg holds manuscript materials mid sixteenth century onwards, aerial photography 1919 , contemporary satellite images.

manuscript archive

the manuscript archive collection consists of material arising out of conduct of society business , manuscripts relating persons or subjects of special interest. document collection includes few papers before society s foundation in 1830, , particularly useful biographers of nineteenth , twentieth century travellers , geographers, research development of geographical knowledge , historical development of geography.

events recordings

since 1994, society has recorded majority of monday night lectures - society members , fellows can watch selected lectures 2006 onwards online.

photographs , artworks

the society’s picture library holds on half million photographs, artworks, negatives, lantern slides , albums dating around 1830, offering rich source of imagery golden age of travel , exploration, modern geographical depictions. historic images range great antarctic adventures of scott , shackleton pioneering journeys of livingstone, baker, speke , burton.