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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.

Postcard from John Pinches to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary of Royal Asiatic Society, to inquire regarding the inscription to be engraved in the Medal.

Letter from John Pinches, Medallist, to The Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, in which he quotes to provide the medal for the Public Schools Medal in a morocco case and engraved with the name and date of the recipient. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 23 January 1932.

Letter from John Pinches to Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to give a quote for the medal in 9 carat gold of £30 and that a current delivery time is 10 weeks. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 September 1965.

Letter from John Pinches to The Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that they will get the medal in hand in readiness for engraving instructions.

Letter from John Pinches to The Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to confirm details of the type of Medal, its inscription and its hopeful execution and delivery to the Society.

Letter from John Pinches to Royal Asiatic Society to give the price for the Burton Memorial Medal and to point out that they now have a minimum order value of £40. They suggest that the Society has 3 medals cast which could then be engraved as needed.

Letter from John Pinches to The Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to provide a quote for the Medal and to advise on the inscription. The letter has handwritten annotations.

Letter from John Pinches to The Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society to supply an estimate for the Burton Memorial Medal complete with engraving and leather case. This letter bears handwritten annotations.

Letter from John Pinches to Miss D. Crawford, Secretary of Royal Asiatic Society, to inform her that they have handed over the traditional side of their business to Messrs. Turner & Simpson Ltd and to apologise that she had not been informed of the transfer. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 20 March 1977.