Subseries RAS COLL6/1/1 - General Catalogues and Lists

6 bound volumes and 2 archival folders

Catalogues and lists which concern more than one type of material in the Collections. These are:

• 'Catalogue of the Chinese Library of the Royal Asiatic Society' by the Rev. S. Kidd, Professor of Chinese Literature, University College, London. Printed with handwritten annotations, 117 pages. Bound volume with note saying bound, November 1930. Dated 1838. This contains both the Chinese books and manuscripts that belonged to the Society at that time. This volume is kept in the Reading Room Office.
• ‘A Catalogue of the Chinese Manuscripts (Books) in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society, compiled between 1878 and 1881 by Mr Henry F. Holt, Joint Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society with Mr Giles of the Chinese Consular Service correcting the proofs'. Printed with handwritten annotations, 116 pages, bound volume, dated 1889. Two copies. Inserted in one volume is ‘Chinese Catalogue: List of Missing numbers not found by Professor Shelley Wang’, handwritten list, 3 pieces, dated 4 April 1938. Again this catalogue describes both the Chinese books and manuscripts. These books are kept in the Reading Room Office.
• Bound manuscript volume of lists identified on the label of front board as 'List of Sanskrit and Prakrit MSS from Colonel Tod; List of Nepalese Buddhist MSS (B.H. Hodgson'; List of South Indian Sanskrit MSS from General Whish; and List of Buddhist MSS in Burmese Character'. On the back board the label states 'Catalogue of Maps, Charts, Plans, Drawings, Engraving, Inscriptions &c in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society'. However the lists cover more then either these titles suggest and have been added to at different periods. Handwritten, the spine is missing from the volume and is therefore in a fragile condition.
• Catalogue of MSS in packing case since the Library was in Albermarle St. & now in Blue Binders' - typed list of mixed material (much of it now considered archival). There is also a 'Duplicate copy' which is more extensive and includes many maps. The Society left Albermarle St in 1920 and so these lists date to some time after that. Foolscap paper, 6 and 12 pieces including covers.
• 'Portraits', 'Busts', 'Illustrated MSS' - handwritten lists detailing some of the Society's possessions. 2 pieces, foolscap paper.
• 'R.A.S. MSS & Books sent to Nat. Prov. Bank, St. James's St.' - handwritten lists of the contents of each box. 4 pieces, foolscap with accompanying envelope.
• List of MSS & Books deposited with Lloyd's Bank, 16 St James's St., April 1939 (Boxes 1-12), Sept 1939 (Boxes 13,14) - handwritten lists of the contents of each box. 6 pieces, foolscap.
• 'Periodicals', 'Sets', 'Individual Works', 'R.A.S. Supplementary List I: Books for Storage', 'Royal Asiatic Society' - typed lists with handwritten annotations detailing various of the Society's collections according to their headings. 10 pieces, foolscap.
• 'Royal Asiatic Society. List of contents of cupboards not yet fully sorted. 1956' - typed list detailing collections by cupboard. 3 pieces, foolscap.
• 'Royal Asiatic Society' - typed lists giving information concerning uncatalogued European manuscripts, Drawings, Pictures, Casts & Busts, Photos, Copper Plates and Seals, and Maps. 2 pieces, foolscap.
• Two guard books containing lists of the Collections of the Society. These are mainly typed sheets and photocopies pasted into the books with handwritten annotations. They are divided into sections.
  Volume I
  • General Introduction to the Plan and Aim of the two ledgers (this was not included – but a note added to say this would happen at the Section level).
  • Manuscripts Section
  • Papers Section
  • Elsewhere Section
  Volume II
  • Elsewhere Section – continued
  • Paintings Section
  • Photographs and Lantern Slides
  • Objects Section
  • Printed Section
  • Maps, Charts
  • Index
  It is unknown when these were compiled but probably date to 1970s-1980s. These are kept in the Reading Room Office.
• 'Contents of Items located in Old Strong Room [OSR] - Front Basement Boxes. As at April 1998.' Computer generated list of items, 16 pieces.

The Burton Collection

The Burton Collection of Oscar Eckenstein was acquired by Lewis C. Loyd in 1921 and donated to the Society in 1939. This contains both printed material and archives. A list was compiled by Mary S. Lovell and Bernadette Rivett in March 2000 with a final amendment 27 April 2000. Computer printed, 43 pages.

Storey Collection
After the death of Charles Ambrose Storey his possessions were bequeathed to the Society. This included, printed material, manuscripts, archives and some artworks. The following lists are related to this collection.

• 'Shelf List of Storey Collection: Catalogues of Persian Manuscripts', typed, 5 pieces.
• 'Shelf List of Storey Collection: Catalogues of Arabic, Hindustani &c Manuscripts', typed, 2 pieces.
• 'Shelf List of Storey Collection: Catalogues of Printed Books', typed 1 pieces.
• 'Storey Collection' 'Introduction' written by Michael Pollock, Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society with 'Handlist of Printed Books in the Storey Collection', computer printed, 67 pieces.