A handwritten letter in Arabic manuscript; the first line translates to 'To our respected father Al-Azeez Ibrahim Iftadhi Burham'. The letter is sent from Mohammed Abdel Ehafir, 15 Shawwal 1299 (Islamic date).

Handwritten manuscript of a programme for the performance 'Marriage of Antar' with annotations in English; performed at The National Arabic Opera in the presence of Kadil Tawfiq I; includes a price list at the bottom of the page.

Blue pattern cover book, printed material possibly in Persian or Arabic, possibly an official report from the Persian Gulf with the mention of Khodadad Khan who was the secretary to the office of the Commissioner of Sindh.

Five letters handwritten in Arabic and Persian script addressed to and from Sir Frederic John Goldsmid, Al-Azeez Ibrahim Iftadhi Burma, Shihav al-din Mahar, Al-Qadi and Mikhail abd-al Massih; most of these letters are of official matter relating to each person.

A handwritten letter in Arabic script, mentions of a man who comes from London and knows the Indian and Persian language. The letter is signed by Shihav al-din al-Mahar, Al-Qadi (Judge), possibly the occupation of the sender.

Handwritten Arabic manuscript of a programme for the opera performance 'Telemachus son of Ulysses', possibly performed by the Qurdahi troupes at the Opera House in Cairo, Egypt.

Double sided single page, printed material from the book 'Alfiya' Rhymed book of Arabic Grammar , written by Ibn Malik in the 13th Century.

Copies of official documents and letters:

• Appointment to act as Govt. Agent in 1836
• Translates of suspected Arabic and Persian Papers intercepted on disaffected Arabs
• Letter to Hon'ble J. Sullivan on Public Instruction
• Memorandum on Govt. Education Madras Presidency
• Minute to A.D. Campbell, Res. Men College Board
• Extract Minute of Consultation Captn Rowlandson Service Government Agent at Chepauk
• Notes as Persian Interpreter on words Arabic [Mookher]
• Memorandum Case Azeem on Aifa Begum and Supreme Court
• To Private Secretary Madras University
• Memo on Guardianship of Niwaub
• Abstract Hon'ble Court of Directors Orders of September 2nd 1846

• Examination in Persian Military Officers

  From verso: "Translation of Arabic Charms", "Remarks on Mahomedans of S India", Abstract of lending axioms of Mahomedan Law", "Abstract of political Relations of British India with native tribes etc.", "Abstract of land principles Mahomedan law. - titles of articles listed in verso of book which contains these and further articles and notes regarding British India and translations.

  Handwritten leather bound journal. Several items were inserted into the journal. These have been removed in order to preserve them better, but their original locations are marked within the journal.

• 1. Hindustani Examination May-1861. Paper No. 2, 1 item
• 2. Memo of supposed casualties discovered from 8 Decr 1842 to 8 Aug 1846, 1 item
• 3. Notes and tables concerning Rowlandson's work including "!Tabular Statement of Reports and Letters dispatched by Several Gov agents and Paymaster [ ] Stipends at Chepauk... ", "Statement of Service" for M J Rowlandson, 8 items.
• 4. Newspaper cutting from The Circulator and address label, 2 items
• 5. Letter to Lieutenant Campbell recommending Arabic works, dated 8 December 1848, 1 item
• 6. "Mahomedans and their habits and languages and laws...", 1 item
• 7. Letter to Rowlandson to thank for books sent, handwritten, dated 19 August 1946; and note concerning document No. 604, 8 December 1843; 2 items

The Papers include publications written orcollected by the academic Gerald Tibbetts connected to his research interests in early Arab navigation in the Indian Ocean. Related to this are draft copies of a lecture given by Tibbetts at the Royal Asiatic Society concerning the origins of navigation in the Indian Ocean.

There is also material collected by Tibbetts relating to his work on the Sindbad Voyage project (1980-1981) and his invitation to participate in the Heritage of Oman Festival.

Personal Papers of Major General Sir Frederic John Goldsmid