The collection comprises chiefly photographic portraits of members of the University or other individuals prominent in the mid to late nineteenth century, particularly clergymen. They were not necessarily members of the Society. A smaller quantity of portraits is in the form of engravings from paintings, drawings cut from books, magazine sketches/cartoons and photographs of paintings. Most items are inscribed with biographical information on the back, not all of which is accurate. Many are also inscribed on the front with the subject's name (some of which may be signatures) and date of acquisition. In some cases, the biographical details inscribed on paper stuck to the back of the photographs has obscured the name of the photographer. There is also a series of letters from portrait donors, 1905-6.