RCSI Heritage Collections

Detail of wax seal from RCSI 1784 Charter with George III depicted on horseback RCSI was founded in 1784 by a royal charter being granted by King George III. The recently conserved charter can be seen here with it's large wax seal intact. These wax seals were very important as they authenticated the document they were attached to. A seal was a device which made an impression in wax, clay, paper. The seal with a unique and specific design was pressed into the wax, clay or embossed on to paper by the author 'sealing' their name, rank, power, honour to the document. Most seals have always given a single impression on an essentially flat surface. But in medieval Europe two-sided seals with two matrices were often used by institutions or rulers (eg. towns, bishops, aristocracy, royalty) to make two-sided or fully three dimensional impressions in wax, with a 'tag' (a piece of ribbon running through them attaching them to the document). These 'pendant' sea...

The College functioned first in humble premises near Mercer's Hospital (the present Mercer Library), moving in 1810 to a new building facing Stephen's Green. On the upper floor, Sir Charles Cameron tells us there was RCSI in 1810 A large room.....with windows opening upon the Green, [which] was devoted to the meetings of the College and their committees. The Board Room then extended the entire width of the upper storey and its original dimensions were not added to by the major expansion of the building initiated in 1825. It provided ample space for important occasions on which the President, Vice-President, Censors and Members convened to deal with College business. A carpet which cost £48.5s.3d was purchased; a large and impressive chair was provided for the President; armchairs were available for lesser dignitaries, while the members (all of whom were free to attend) sat on plain seats. RCSI Board Room before 1916 The supplemental charter (1844) introduced a C...