SOAS Special Collections
@soas-speccoll.bsky.social
Archives, manuscripts and rare books from
@SOASLibrary, the UK National Research Library for Asia, Africa and the Middle East | [email protected]
@SOASLibrary, the UK National Research Library for Asia, Africa and the Middle East | [email protected]
Pinned
Special Collections at SOAS University of London
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Curious about who we are and what kinds of material we hold? Take a look at our new Special Collections video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-H2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-H2...
Did you know our new digital library is up and running, with loads of digitised content from our Missionary collections, particularly CWM and MMS? Find it all here: https://soas.quartexcollections.com/archives/missionary-archives?cid= #EYAReligion
November 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Did you know our new digital library is up and running, with loads of digitised content from our Missionary collections, particularly CWM and MMS? Find it all here: https://soas.quartexcollections.com/archives/missionary-archives?cid= #EYAReligion
In celebration of international #EspressoDay, we'd like to share this review of a coffee machine, taken from the Shanghai Social magazine (1914). This was a monthly publication that began as a women's magazine but expanded to cover various aspects of social life in Shanghai.
November 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
In celebration of international #EspressoDay, we'd like to share this review of a coffee machine, taken from the Shanghai Social magazine (1914). This was a monthly publication that began as a women's magazine but expanded to cover various aspects of social life in Shanghai.
This hand-drawn and coloured illustration of a Mufti is from an album of Paintings illustrating Turkish costumes (MS 60368) by Marcel Cousinery [1808-1826] #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/NTqp50XeOKp
November 20, 2025 at 12:25 PM
This hand-drawn and coloured illustration of a Mufti is from an album of Paintings illustrating Turkish costumes (MS 60368) by Marcel Cousinery [1808-1826] #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/NTqp50XeOKp
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Roman Catholic church, Pondicherry : from An Album of Company Paintings of Occupations and Festivals published in 1830, Tamil Nadu India #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/XeGT50X9OsA
November 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Roman Catholic church, Pondicherry : from An Album of Company Paintings of Occupations and Festivals published in 1830, Tamil Nadu India #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/XeGT50X9OsA
A hilltop church in Madagascar, photographed in late C19th by missionary and geologist Richard Baron #EYAReligion https://digital.soas.ac.uk/RB00000038/00001
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
A hilltop church in Madagascar, photographed in late C19th by missionary and geologist Richard Baron #EYAReligion https://digital.soas.ac.uk/RB00000038/00001
Why look at London on a grey and wet day when you can brighten your day up staring at #ArtInLondon and this #CubistArt city-scape from Myanmar by #PawOoThet just one of the #ContemporaryArt in our current #ArtExhibition GIFTED at #SOASGallery until Dec 13
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Why look at London on a grey and wet day when you can brighten your day up staring at #ArtInLondon and this #CubistArt city-scape from Myanmar by #PawOoThet just one of the #ContemporaryArt in our current #ArtExhibition GIFTED at #SOASGallery until Dec 13
This accordion-bound prayer book,
慈悲地藏寶懺, (Ci bei Dizang bao chan)was printed in 1898 #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/BjP950X9alL
慈悲地藏寶懺, (Ci bei Dizang bao chan)was printed in 1898 #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/BjP950X9alL
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
This accordion-bound prayer book,
慈悲地藏寶懺, (Ci bei Dizang bao chan)was printed in 1898 #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/BjP950X9alL
慈悲地藏寶懺, (Ci bei Dizang bao chan)was printed in 1898 #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/BjP950X9alL
The Royal Lamba from Madagascar holds significant cultural identity amongst the Malagasy People. Also used as a burial shroud, the Lamba symbolises a connection to their ancestors during times of remembrance, such as funerals. #EYASpirituality
November 12, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The Royal Lamba from Madagascar holds significant cultural identity amongst the Malagasy People. Also used as a burial shroud, the Lamba symbolises a connection to their ancestors during times of remembrance, such as funerals. #EYASpirituality
An image of Oha stones in Nagaland. These spirit dwellings & symbols of luck (sometimes kept in homes or granaries) were counted by the village priest at the head-tree. An increase in number was a good omen. #EYASpirituality https://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA004487/00001
November 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
An image of Oha stones in Nagaland. These spirit dwellings & symbols of luck (sometimes kept in homes or granaries) were counted by the village priest at the head-tree. An increase in number was a good omen. #EYASpirituality https://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA004487/00001
This manuscript of the Kāraṇda-vyūha-sūtra features Avalokiteśvara in Tibeto-Nepalese style, promoting the mantra Ōṃ maṇi padme hūṃ. Written in ornate Nepalese script, its pages are stacked between wooden boards and tied with braid.#EYAReligion
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 PM
This manuscript of the Kāraṇda-vyūha-sūtra features Avalokiteśvara in Tibeto-Nepalese style, promoting the mantra Ōṃ maṇi padme hūṃ. Written in ornate Nepalese script, its pages are stacked between wooden boards and tied with braid.#EYAReligion
49. Swire Properties, founded in Hong Kong in 1972, began with Taikoo Shing on the former dockyard site. Listed in 1999, it specializes in high-end residential, commercial, and retail projects across Hong Kong, China, and beyond. #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
49. Swire Properties, founded in Hong Kong in 1972, began with Taikoo Shing on the former dockyard site. Listed in 1999, it specializes in high-end residential, commercial, and retail projects across Hong Kong, China, and beyond. #JSSArchives50 🧵
48. In 1965, Swire acquired HK’s Coca-Cola franchise by buying Hong Kong Bottlers. In 1989, Coca-Cola partnered with Swire to help relaunch in Mainland China after 40 years. Partnering with CITIC, Swire built bottling plants & networks across 7 provinces #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
48. In 1965, Swire acquired HK’s Coca-Cola franchise by buying Hong Kong Bottlers. In 1989, Coca-Cola partnered with Swire to help relaunch in Mainland China after 40 years. Partnering with CITIC, Swire built bottling plants & networks across 7 provinces #JSSArchives50 🧵
C17th composite manuscript in Gǝ’ǝz (Ethiopic). Written in several hands, it includes a variety of religious texts, the Ethiopian calendar, and passages from Scripture with comments exemplars #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/ABqE50X922K
November 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM
C17th composite manuscript in Gǝ’ǝz (Ethiopic). Written in several hands, it includes a variety of religious texts, the Ethiopian calendar, and passages from Scripture with comments exemplars #EYAReligion https://ow.ly/ABqE50X922K
47. Launched in 1950, CNCo’s New Guinea Australia Line (NGAL) connected Australia & PNG post-WWII—moving copra, timber, passengers & mining gear. With ships like Shansi & Soochow, NGAL linked remote Pacific ports & helped build regional trade. #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 8:39 AM
47. Launched in 1950, CNCo’s New Guinea Australia Line (NGAL) connected Australia & PNG post-WWII—moving copra, timber, passengers & mining gear. With ships like Shansi & Soochow, NGAL linked remote Pacific ports & helped build regional trade. #JSSArchives50 🧵
46. 1986 Cathay Pacific Airways marked its 40th anniversary by listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The flotation was heavily oversubscribed meaning that demand for shares far exceeded availability shattering Hong Kong records. #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 8:39 AM
46. 1986 Cathay Pacific Airways marked its 40th anniversary by listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The flotation was heavily oversubscribed meaning that demand for shares far exceeded availability shattering Hong Kong records. #JSSArchives50 🧵
Gate of spiritual Valour, entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing, c.1910 #EYASpirituality
November 5, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Gate of spiritual Valour, entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing, c.1910 #EYASpirituality
45. Cathay Pacific uniforms evolved from post-war military styles to high fashion. Designers like Pierre Balmain, Hermès, Nina Ricci & Eddie Lau shaped iconic looks. In 2018, trousers were introduced for female crew—marking a shift toward comfort & inclusivity #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 8:38 AM
45. Cathay Pacific uniforms evolved from post-war military styles to high fashion. Designers like Pierre Balmain, Hermès, Nina Ricci & Eddie Lau shaped iconic looks. In 2018, trousers were introduced for female crew—marking a shift toward comfort & inclusivity #JSSArchives50 🧵
Our final #BlackHistoryMonth highlight is from our Movement for Colonial Freedom Archive!
This selection of publicity material was issued by the anti-colonial and anti-racist campaign group, The Movement for Colonial Freedom.
Browse MCF Archive on the SOAS Archives Catalogue!
This selection of publicity material was issued by the anti-colonial and anti-racist campaign group, The Movement for Colonial Freedom.
Browse MCF Archive on the SOAS Archives Catalogue!
November 5, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Our final #BlackHistoryMonth highlight is from our Movement for Colonial Freedom Archive!
This selection of publicity material was issued by the anti-colonial and anti-racist campaign group, The Movement for Colonial Freedom.
Browse MCF Archive on the SOAS Archives Catalogue!
This selection of publicity material was issued by the anti-colonial and anti-racist campaign group, The Movement for Colonial Freedom.
Browse MCF Archive on the SOAS Archives Catalogue!
44. Cathay Pacific’s planes were once grey, white & red. In 1971, the iconic green “lettuce leaf sandwich” livery debuted—Brunswick green with white stripes & a British flag tail. It flew until 1994, when the sleek “brushwing” logo took over. #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 8:38 AM
44. Cathay Pacific’s planes were once grey, white & red. In 1971, the iconic green “lettuce leaf sandwich” livery debuted—Brunswick green with white stripes & a British flag tail. It flew until 1994, when the sleek “brushwing” logo took over. #JSSArchives50 🧵
🖋️ We love a good mystery!
This “orphaned” artwork from the SOAS Collections echoes 1930s Chinese museology & WW2 postcards - could it link to Yu Youren?
Any clues? Email us 👉 [email protected]
#SOASGallery #GiftedExhibition #MuseumMystery
This “orphaned” artwork from the SOAS Collections echoes 1930s Chinese museology & WW2 postcards - could it link to Yu Youren?
Any clues? Email us 👉 [email protected]
#SOASGallery #GiftedExhibition #MuseumMystery
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 AM
🖋️ We love a good mystery!
This “orphaned” artwork from the SOAS Collections echoes 1930s Chinese museology & WW2 postcards - could it link to Yu Youren?
Any clues? Email us 👉 [email protected]
#SOASGallery #GiftedExhibition #MuseumMystery
This “orphaned” artwork from the SOAS Collections echoes 1930s Chinese museology & WW2 postcards - could it link to Yu Youren?
Any clues? Email us 👉 [email protected]
#SOASGallery #GiftedExhibition #MuseumMystery
This #BlackHistoryMonth highlight is from Press cuttings relating to a visit to Jamaica made by Harold Moody in 1947!
You can view the full item and more press cuttings in CWM/CMS/Jamaica/Subject Files, Box 1
You can view the full item and more press cuttings in CWM/CMS/Jamaica/Subject Files, Box 1
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 AM
This #BlackHistoryMonth highlight is from Press cuttings relating to a visit to Jamaica made by Harold Moody in 1947!
You can view the full item and more press cuttings in CWM/CMS/Jamaica/Subject Files, Box 1
You can view the full item and more press cuttings in CWM/CMS/Jamaica/Subject Files, Box 1
43. By 1979 Cathay Pacific had acquired its first Boeing 747 and, after a decade of rapid expansion was granted permission in 1980 to fly to London making Hong Kong's flag-carrier a truly international airline at last. #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 AM
43. By 1979 Cathay Pacific had acquired its first Boeing 747 and, after a decade of rapid expansion was granted permission in 1980 to fly to London making Hong Kong's flag-carrier a truly international airline at last. #JSSArchives50 🧵
Our conservator has been working her magic recently on some of our palm leaf manuscripts to remove staining and repair brittle edges #EYAConservation
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Our conservator has been working her magic recently on some of our palm leaf manuscripts to remove staining and repair brittle edges #EYAConservation
42. On 15 June 1972, CPA Flight 700Z was sabotaged mid-air over South Vietnam. A bomb hidden in a suitcase killed all 81 onboard. The crash site was hard to access due to the war, and though a suspect was arrested, he was later acquitted for lack of evidence #JSSArchives50 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 8:36 AM
42. On 15 June 1972, CPA Flight 700Z was sabotaged mid-air over South Vietnam. A bomb hidden in a suitcase killed all 81 onboard. The crash site was hard to access due to the war, and though a suspect was arrested, he was later acquitted for lack of evidence #JSSArchives50 🧵
41. In 1948, Cathay Pacific suffered the world’s first mid-air hijacking. Gangsters targeted Miss Macao for its gold cargo. After the pilot was shot, the plane crashed into the sea—killing 25 of 26 onboard. Swire soon distanced itself from the Macau gold run. #JSSArchives50 🧵
October 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
41. In 1948, Cathay Pacific suffered the world’s first mid-air hijacking. Gangsters targeted Miss Macao for its gold cargo. After the pilot was shot, the plane crashed into the sea—killing 25 of 26 onboard. Swire soon distanced itself from the Macau gold run. #JSSArchives50 🧵