The special collections housed within the RCA’s Library include the Royal College of Art Archive itself (prospectuses, catalogues, etc.), a Photographic Record of Student Work, together with rare books, manuscripts and artists’ books in our Other Special Collections and Archives. The department also contains the Colour Reference Library: a collection of printed materials devoted to all aspects of colour, from colour psychology to interior design. Containing over 3,000 volumes, it is the second largest collection on this subject in the world.

The special collections are kept within a temperature-controlled, secure room on the top floor of the Library. To ensure you get the most out of your visit, and for reasons of preservation and security, access is by appointment only. See Access, Location and Appointments for more information, or to book online.

Enquiries from genealogists or biographers regarding former students and staff at any point in the RCA’s history are welcome, but please be advised that in most cases we can provide very little information, and usually no more than confirmation of department and year of graduation (1898 onwards). Enquiries may be addressed to special-collections@rca.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7590 4234.

Digital cameras are allowed in the archives room, but any images you take are subject to copyright restrictions and must be logged on an accompanying form. Digital copies of slides from the record of student work (see Photographic Record of Student Work) are also available on request for a small charge per image. Again, these are subject to copyright restrictions and must not be reproduced in an income-generating context without appropriate permission. The Rectorate must be approached for permission to reproduce any RCA-related material; Special Collections staff can advise.