The collection comprises 1109 photographs, 1 album (with 39 photographs), and 10 digital images relating to the University of Queensland. It also includes real photo postcards.

Lantern slides, 35mm slides, negatives, glass plate negatives, and indexes to slides. Also one box of 5 unexposed AGFA-Gevaert brand negatives. Wooden cabinet originally used to house lantern slides retained separately.

A combination of original and published sets of slides. Initially glass lantern slides, later additions were acquired in 35mm slide format with some lantern slides then reformatted. The collection also appears to include some slides obtained from other Departments.

In 1950, the St Lucia campus Parnell Building lecture theatres were designed specifically without windows to facilitate the use of slide projectors.

Unless otherwise noted, all date ranges applied to this collection are approximations based on format and content.

The Alcock collection consists of over 2000 glass slides. The series within the collection, called "Images of early Brisbane", includes images of buildings, landmarks and views of Brisbane, including the 1893 floods. Also images of University of Queensland in its early years.