Presented to the Society by Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke, member of council and Chairman of Commonwealth Section Committee in 1969

Copy print from an album presented to the Society in 1951 by Miss Ethel Symonds of St Albans, through the agency of Mr W G Ardley. Photographs in album taken during and after Lieutenant General Sir F Roberts advance to Kabul, Afghanistan. Album sold 1989/90.

Part of a series of drawings on linen manufacture in Ireland. Presented to the Society by the artist in 1785.

Part of a series of drawings on linen manufacture in Ireland. Presented to the Society by the artist in 1785.

Part of a series of drawings on linen manufacture in Ireland. Presented to the Society by the artist in 1785.

Part of a series of drawings on linen manufacture in Ireland. Presented to the Society by the artist in 1785.

Part of a series of drawings on linen manufacture in Ireland. Presented to the Society by the artist in 1785.

This painting was bequeathed to the Society in 1861 by Lady Brown, widow of Captain Sir Samuel Brown, RN (1776-1852), the engineer of the bridge and for many years a member of the Society. Brown invented an improved method of manufacturing links for chain cables which greatly extended their use in the construction of suspension bridges and landing piers. Brown's bar link was first employed in the Union Bridge, completed in July 1820 and subsequently in the Chain Pier at Brighton. The bridge is 18ft wide, 368ft long and the distance between the points of suspension is 432ft. It was the earliest suspension bridge erected in Great Britain calculated for the passage of loaded carriages. The painting itself was executed before the bridge was built to show the effect it would have on the landscape. The large building discernible on the skyline in the centre of the picture, standing high on the northern bank of the Tweed is Paxton House, built to the designs of James and John Adam in the 1750's, with later additions by Robert Reid. Like the bridge, it still stands in fine condition.

This cup was presented to the Society on the occasion of the centenary of the Great Exhibition and the Corning Glass Centennial (1851-1951). It was presented at the opening of the Exhibition of Exhibitions in London, May 1st 1951.\nDesigned by John Monteith Gates and Don Wier. Height 14 inches. The tall crystal cup is supported on its blown base by a circle of pear-shaped drops. The Piece is engraved by cooper wheel.

Pop-up carrot

From the illustration in Pictorial Times of the distribution of the Society's awards by Prince Albert 10/6/1844. This image show the alterations carried out in 1814-1815. The skylight had been enlarged and the palm branch ornaments removed.

Ceiling had been decorated by D R Hay with a Gothic mosaic and the walls around the pictures with purple cloth, a central gas light had been added. From a view of the Society's Photographic Exhibition, London Illustrated News, 1/1/1853

Bench presented to the RSA by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on 7/11/1957. The bench is in figured Brazilian rosewood with inset ends of mahogany boarding. While on his trip in the Antarctic, the Duke sent to the Society his detailed ideas as to what should constitute an ideal lecture bench and these have been faithfully executed by the designer, Professor R D Russell, RDI. Made by Gordon Russell Ltd.

The Great Room showing the cut glass chandeliers purchased in 1950 and the rosewood lecture bench presented to the RSA by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1957

The Great Room showing the cut glass chandeliers purchased in 1950 and the rosewood lecture bench presented tot he RSA by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1957

Photograph by Richard Bryant, Arcaid

Second painting in the series entitled 'The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture' by James Barry, 1777-1783

Second painting in the series entitled 'The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture' by James Barry, 1777-1783

Second painting in the series entitled 'The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture' by James Barry, 1777-1783