The collection features a range of material highlighting the activities of the Oriental Translation Fund both from its origins in 1828 and after being revived in 1888 by Forster Fitzgerald Arbuthnot.
Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and IrelandTwo lists of Oriental Societies, one detailing their founding dates; and the other giving addresses.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and IrelandNotes on the Ancient Figures and Inscriptions from Márab sent to the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society by George Smythan, and resented by The President of the Society, John Wilson. A description and analysis of inscriptions on stones found by Dr A. Mackell at the town of Márab or Sábá, believed to be the seat of the Queen of Sheba. Four stones were found, two of which were acquired and facsimiles made for the others. Mackell believed the inscriptions were more Ethiopic in character. Wilson compares these inscriptions with ones found by J.G. Hulton and J. Smith (see Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol.5, 1838, p.91). Wilson however suggests these may be of Sabean origin. The article is dated 28 November 1836 with a postscript, dated 2 December 1839, concerning Wilson's reluctance to have his findings published.
With the article are three lithograph sheets showing the figures and inscriptions.
Wilson John 1804-1875 missionary"Notes on Cudapah" (Kadapa), "Read July 17/30" "Ordered not to be printed Nov 13/30" with label "Catalogue of English MSS. II No 5, Cuddapah, Presented by Mrs Skinner and read before the Society on 17 July 1830. Three anecdotes concerning traditions:
- The self-devotion of a headman of the village of Chitwail
- An account of the "Assaree Shereef" - a building erected to contain a hair from the beard of Muhammad
- The behaviour of a fakir Handwritten, 3 pages + label.
This manuscript and details concerning it are found in the Society's "Catalogue of English Manuscripts in the R.A.S.", p.20.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1823- London, EnglandTwelve notebooks containing the author's notes on India, its religions and inscriptions, mainly extracts from, and comments upon, published authors' works.
UntitledTwo tables listing the communities of the zamindars (landlords) in the parganas of [ ] and Akbarabad (Agra). These are signed and stamped with the signees' seals, one of which dates the table to 1228 Hijri (1813 A.D.). One table also list the Tahsildars (revenue agents) as well as the zamindars. The tables are written in Shikasta Nasta'liq script.
UnknownCorrespondence from the interaction of the Mythic Society, based in Bangalore, and the Royal Asiatic Society. These are:
- Invitation from the President and Council of the Mythic Society, Bangalore, to attend the celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of the Society on 27 November 1934. With the invitation is a Programme of Events. Both printed.
- Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to the General Secretary, Mythic Society, to send the Society's thanks for the invitation to the Silver Jubilee celebrations, to send congratulations, and their regrets that the invitation arrived too late for them to send a representative. Typed, dated 11 December 1934.
- Letter from the Manager, Mythic Society, to the Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to provide a sketch of the activities of the Mythic Society. Typed, dated 31 March 1989.
A handwritten copy of the Mémoire sur l'histoire ancienne du Japon : d'après le Ouen Hien Tong Kao de Ma-Touan-Lin written by the Marquis d'Hervey de Saint Denys, President of the Society of Ethnographie, originally published in 1872. This version was copied for Ernest Mason Satow by the 'Ph. [Society] Japaniste' in 1876.
It is a small bound volume with red cover and bearing the bookplate for Ernest Mason Satow, Yedo, on the inside cover.
Saint-Denys Marie-Jean-Léon Lecoq Hervey de 1822-1892 MarquisThree volumes concerned with British involvement in Java:
- Java Antiquities, a bound volume composed of four sections including lists, correspondence, a memorandum and private journals.
- Java Antiquities Craufurd, a bound volume containing two sections, both on the ruins of Javanese temples.
- British in Java 1811-1812 Contemporary Documents, a bound volume containing multiple manuscripts including letters, contracts, instructions, memoirs, minutes, treaties, notes and reports.
These volumes provide information and a valuable insight into British involvement in Java during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Additionally, they offer accounts of the architecture (particularly of temples), culture, history, traditions and practices of Java and its people, prior to and during British Rule.
Raffles Thomas Stamford 1781-1826These papers were collated in the interaction of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society with the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society