Special Collections

Welcome to Special Collections, SOAS Library

One of the leading UK collections of archives, manuscripts and rare books on Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

We make available over three kilometres of archives, 60,000 rare books, and manuscripts in over 140 languages to students and researchers globally.

Opening SOAS Library's extraordinary collections to users around the world for learning, teaching and research.

Embassy from the Queen of Madagascar to England, from SOAS Special Collections

Special Collections Blog

Exploring highlights of the Library’s fascinating archives and special collections, with a focus on their potential for use in research and teaching, and features including guest blogs.

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"Dünya Haritası", from Special Collections

Featured image

This page's featured image is a world map from an Ottoman book of maps, housed in SOAS Special Collections.

Learn more about this object online at SOAS Digital Collections