Our Collections
Our collections are made possible through the ongoing contributions of our College members over many years.
Rare book collection
The rare book collection contains over 400 items published before 1801.
Browse through our Early Medicine catalogue (PDF) to view the collection of rare books held in the Library.
The rare book collection is housed at the RACP's Sydney offices within its historic Fellows and Council Rooms.
Rare book material published before the 1800s is generally not for loan but can be viewed on the premises by appointment.
Sir Edward Ford collections
Our former curator, Sir Edward Ford made several important donations to the History of Medicine Library during his association with the College.
In 1978 he donated a unique collection of 19th and 20th century medical Australiana which now adorns our newly refurbished Reading Room.
On Ford's death in 1986 he bequethed the Library his international collection of rare and valuable medical books. This important collection is located in his eponymous room at the RACP's Sydney offices at 145 Macquarie St, Sydney.
The Library also acquired his archive of medical history research, correspondence and medical instruments.
E. Graeme Robertson collection
A significant collection of neurology-related titles are held in the Library on behalf of Foundation Fellow and neurologist Graeme Robertson
Historical medical instrument and artefact collection
The History of Medicine holds over 250 historical medical instruments and artefacts.
Some of the highlights include:
Browse our featured artefact collections
Aotearoa New Zealand collection
The Aotearoa New Zealand medical history book and artefact collection is part of the Ernest and Marion Davis Library housed at Auckland Hospital.
With over 1000 titles held at the Library, the most significant title is Booke of soveraigne medecines against the most common and known deseases of man and women [ca.165-] It is held on behalf of the RACP at the National Library of New Zealand for safekeeping. They have a digitised version for online viewing.
Browse the Aotearoa NZ collection.Our archives
The RACP holds unique deposited archive collections as well as corporate (institutional) records.
Our archives provide valuable resources that illustrate the development of medicine and the medical profession in Australasia.
Deposited archives
Our deposited archives and manuscripts are made up of donations or deposits from Fellows and other individuals.
Featured archives
You'll find a range of historical medical items in our deposited archive, including:
- photographs – Fellows, College events, historical medical sites
- diaries, letters, casebooks, medical pamphlets
- research papers of medical historians.
- lecture notes, medical education and teaching material.
- ephemera relating to public health and the medical profession
- hospital records
- medical and public health organisations.
Our library catalogue includes digitised copies of many deposited archive items. We continue to add digitised documents and images, ensuring they are accessible to a wide audience.
Browse the digital image collection
The RACP's Corporate archive
The RACP's corporate archive documents the activities of the College from the time of its establishment in 1938. These institutional archives consist of the official records created and used by the College as part of its everyday work - although no longer in active use, they are historically or legally significant as a record of the ongoing work of the College and the initiatives undertaken throughout its history to support and develop the medical profession.
