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From 1904-1929 the Royal Asiatic Society awarded a Gold Medal to a schoolboy writing on a chosen essay title. However, as entrants dwindled and few schools seemed interested in teaching Indian history, it was decided that the competition should be changed to one for undergraduate students. The change was finalised on 15th December 1931. Regulations for the University Prize Essay Fund were drawn up in 1932 and the first prize was awarded in 1933. In 1939, Professor Perceval Yetts designed a certificate to be presented with the prize (an example of this can be found in these papers). The prize was initially awarded annually but then became biennial. The prize money also increased at various intervals.
The records of the Universities Prize Essay cover the conversion from the Public School Medal to the Universities Prize Essay Fund, governance of the award and the conferment of the Honour in subsequent years. They include Rules, correspondence, and winning essays. However there are not records for all instances of the presentation of the award. Researchers are advised to also examine the Council Minutes and the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (both held in the RAS Collections) when researching concerning the Universities Prize Essay and its recipients.

The Papers of Horace Geoffrey Quaritch Wales contain papers relating to his archaeological work in southeast Asia including expedition notes, personal notebooks, diaries, manuscript proofs, correspondence, newspaper cuttings and maps. Listed within this catalogue are objects and items of furniture which were also part of the bequest of Quaritch Wales' wife, Dorothy, to the Royal Asiatic Society.

Note from Richard Winstedt giving his opinion of the essays. Handwritten, 1 side, dated 2 November [1940].

Letter from Richard Winstedt to Quaritch Wales congratulating him on receipt of a grant and hoping for success in his excavations, suggesting Kedah might be the most likely place. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 6 June 1937.

Letter from Richard Olaf Winstedt to Quaritch Wales, concerning the possibilities of excavation in the Perak area. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 30 March1936.

Letter from Richard Winstedt to Quaritch Wales concerning Quaritch Wales' excavation at Kedah. Handwritten letter, 2 sides, dated 24 February 1938.

Letter from Richard Winstedt to Quaritch Wales concerning the possibility of a city on a hill in Malaya but suggests that Fort Canning in Singapore and the palace of Malacca Kings were situated on a hill. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 10 June 1938.

Letter from Richard Winstedt to Quaritch Wales, concerning the Tanjung Rambutan bronze in Perak owned by Alma Baber, a talk about Ganga Nagara, and the derivation of Din Dang, suggesting Abbaside corroborates Arab voyage accounts, He suggests Quaritch Wales might write an article to Singapore Sunday newspapers to stimulate support for further government grants. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 10 June 1938.

Letter from Richard Winstedt to Quaritch Wales in which he asks Quaritch Wales to write an article for the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. He further expresses his opinion concerning the descriptions of Gangga Nagara and Johore. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 10 December 1938.

Correspondence regarding the excavation undertaken by Quaritch Wales in Kedah, Malaysia. 44 handwritten and typed letters.