The earliest records of the Charles London Pickering collection were collected during his years as a print student at the London County Council Central School of Arts and spans all his career as a lecturer of Typography and Inspector of Education until the year of his death in 1998.
The collection contains material covering the history of printing, typography and the book trade from the 18th to 20th centuries and some interesting early bindings, which can be found in the University of the Arts library. Most records of the Charles London Pickering collection fall into the time after 1949, when he was appointed as Inspector of Education (HMI). The collection covers Pickering's lifetime involvement in various print societies, as evidenced by his annual membership cards which date from 1926 to 1992, correspondence and photographs.
Most notably records on the Double Crown Club, the Association of Teachers of Printing and Allied Subjects (ATPAS) and the Wynkyn de Worde society can be found. Through print samples, pamphlets and articles on printing and print education the development of the craft of printing, especially print education, in the 20th century can be followed.