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Celebrating 150 years of the Royal Commonwealth Society (1868-2018)

The depth and richness of the images in the Royal Commonwealth Society collection is truly amazing. Through the Cambridge Digital Library, we are proud to share this incredible historical resource with a global audience" Dr Jessica Gardner, University Librarian and Director of Library Services

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) and the 25th anniversary of the RCS library and archives becoming part of Cambridge University Library, we have digitised over one hundred treasures not previously available in digital form. The RCS collections contain stunning visual records – art-work, photographs, maps and artefacts, as well as illustrated manuscripts and printed sources relating to the Commonwealth and Britain’s former colonial territories.   We have selected items which showcase the international breadth and visual richness of the archives.  Some document important events in the history of the Society, others significant architectural or engineering achievements. Many record incredible changes to natural environments or urban landscapes.  Others tell very personal stories, record every-day life, document journeys across continents or capture the horrors of war.  Together and individually the records form an invaluable heritage resource which we are delighted to be able to share in this way.