About the Collection

Collection Highlights

Surgical Artefacts

The Collection contains artefacts dating from the late 19th century and comprises a wide range of plastic surgery documenting over 100 years of plastic surgery procedures. Some instruments carry famous surgeons' initials, while others display advances in design. Notably, BAPRAS owns instruments once belonging to the German nasal surgeon Professor Jacques Joseph, a pioneer of cosmetic rhinoplasty, and Sir Harold Gillies, often thought of as a founding father of British Plastic Surgery. The Collection contains artefacts relating to prosthesis, as well as other medical apparatus. 

Art Works

BAPRAS holds a large number of painted and drawn artworks depicting patients and surgical techniques by both surgeons and the pioneers of medical illustration, such as Diana “Dickie” Orpen, Sir Henry Tonks and Mollie Lentaigne.  There is also personal artwork by Sir Harold Gillies and many of our members.

Photography

The Collection holds an extensive collection of photographs, some documenting staff and treatment procedures from the First World War.  Others depict plastic surgery personalities from the 1930s, the Second World War and later 20th Century. One of the most significant collections is by Mr Percy Hennell taken during the Second World War. These are significant because of the method he helped devise for colour photography. BAPRAS is also home to historical film footage of various operative procedures. 

Association Archive and Reference Library

The Collection also preserves the history of the Association, formally known as the British Association of Plastic Surgeons (BAPS), and its activities.  The archive contains a large reference library of books about plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, as well as conference and lecture material.