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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.

Material that reflects engagement with the Collections of the Society as a whole. These are:

• 'Our Learned Societies: The Royal Asiatic' - an illustrated article from The Graphic describing the Society and its collections. Printed, two copies, dated 26 November 1910.
• Copy of an article on the Royal Asiatic Society from the Allgemeine Press Zeitung, 1841. With the copy is a transcription of the article and a working translation into English. Copy and typed, 9 pieces, undated.
• 'Eastern Treasures Come West' by Raymond Head, an article about the Society's collections found within Antiques and Art, October 3-9, 1980, Volume 42, Number 8.
• 'The Library of the Royal Asiatic Society' - article by T.V. Finnerty written as part of his coursework for his qualification in Library and Information Studies, University College, London. Typed, 11 pieces, dated 22 April 1998.
• 'The Library of the Royal Asiatic Society and Its Collections Relating to Southeast Asia' - proof copy of an article written by Michael Pollock, Royal Asiatic Society Librarian, published in the journal Libraries and Culture, University of Texas Press, 1998. With the article is a covering letter requesting a quick return of corrections. Typed, 12 pieces, dated 17 June 1998.
• 'Nurturing the Roots for Oriental Studies: the development of the Libraries of the Royal Asiatic Society's Branches and Affiliates in the Nineteenth Century' - an article written by Harold Otness published in the Bulletin of the International Association of Orientalist Librarians, 1998, p.9-17. This is a copy, 9 pieces, computer printed in January 2007.
• 'R.A.S. Inventory - February 1999' - an inventory on pictures and objects and their location in the Society's premises at Queen's Gardens, London. Typed, 8 pieces, dated February 1999.
• 'R.A.S. Portrait Inventory - October 2001' - an inventory of portraits, photographs and busts on display in the Society's premises. Typed, 2 pieces.
• 'The Royal Asiatic Society' by Xenobe Purvis. Copy of an article from Asian Art, March 2018 concerning the Society's collections and the launching of its Digital Library.
• Publicity Poster for 'Systems of religion and morality in the collections of the Royal Asiatic Society' by Edward Weech, Royal Asiatic Society, a talk given at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, 15 October 2018.
• Programme for the spring gathering of the South Asia Archive and Library Group, held at the Royal Asiatic Society, at which Edward Weech, Royal Asiatic Society Librarian spoke on 'The Royal Asiatic Society Bicentenary: reflecting on two centuries of collecting and scholarly exchange' Typed, 1 piece, gathering held on 15 May 2023.

There are also a number of electronic documents. These were all created into archival documents in 2025:

• 'The Royal Asiatic Society's Museum', from The Penny Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, Vol 10, 1841, describing the collections on display in the Society's premises at Grafton Street, London. This is an electronic document, originally created in 2015 from the Internet.
• 'Report on the Explore Your Archive Tea and Testimony Creative Writing Event, 20th November, 2015' - report created by Nancy Charley, Royal Asiatic Society Archivist, after using the collections for a creative writing event as part of Explore Your Archive 2015. Originally created in November 2015.
• 'Creativity and the Collections' - a report prepared by Nancy Charley, Archivist, concerning possible ways in which the Collections could be used to encourage creativity. Originally created in September 2016.
• 'Creative Writing Event, 23 November 2016' - a report created by Nancy Charley, Archivist, concerning a second creative writing event, Writ in Water. Document originally created in November 2016.
• 'Sorting the Miscellaneous Box' - an article created by Nancy Charley, Archivist, following a talk on the same topic to the South Asian Archives and Library Group in 2017. The document was originally created in October 2017.

At various times the Society has commissioned surveys of its collections or sought funding to do so in order to assess the care needed for them. The material in this series consists of these surveys and some allied correspondence.

Nicholas Pickwoad
In 1988, Nicholas Pickwoad, Bookbinder and Conservator, Adviser to the National Trust on Book Conservation, was commissioned by the Society to survey the Library.

• 'Conservation Report on the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society, Nicholas Pickwoad, 25 May 1988. Typed report detailing the current conditions of the library and making suggestions for improvements, 29 pieces.
• Letter from Jane McAusland, Conservator and Restorer of Art on Paper, to Godfrey Goodwin, Royal Asiatic Society, to give Nicholas Pickwoad's contact details and that of another book conservator. Typed, 1 piece, dated 4 December 1987.
• Correspondence from Nicholas Pickwoad to Godfrey Goodwin concerning undertaking the survey and providing the report. Typed, 6 letters, 7 pieces, dated 4 February 1988 - 13 July 1988.
• 'First draft of the Preliminary Report addressed to the Getty Foundation, L.A.' - a draft report seeking funding for care of the collections, produced after the Pickwoad survey. Typed, and copy of handwritten, 7 pieces.

Behar Profex Ltd.
Behar Profex Ltd. is a London-based specialist antique rug and carpet repair and conservation company. In 1996, they were commissioned to report on the state of the Society's Bidjar and Kashan Rugs and an embroidered wall-hanging.

• Report from Behar Profex Ltd. detailing conservation need and estimated costs. Typed, 2 pieces, dated 30 October 1996.

Jacqueline Filliozat
In 1997, Jacqueline Filliozat undertook a survey of the Society's Pali manuscripts both identifying them and examining their condition.

• 'Survey of the Pali manuscript Collection in the Royal Asiatic Society', detailed typed report, 33 pieces, dated 12 August 1997.
• Letter from Jacqueline Filliozat to the Royal Asiatic Society to send her report. Handwritten in French, 2 pieces, date 12 August 1997.

Application for Archival Funding

• 'Application for a grant for the sorting and minimum conservation of the Rawlinson and Hodgson papers. In addition, there is a separate application for the part funding of conservation work on six Islamic manuscripts which are urgently in need of attention.' - typed report to unknown funding body, 2 pieces, undated [1990s].

RAS Manuscript Survey
A survey of some of the RAS manuscripts was undertaken at some point. Unfortunately the report is undated with no named contributors. A 57 page report was produced divided into the following sections:

• Defining the Levels of Condition for the Manuscripts
• Explanation of the Database Terminology
• Analysis of the findings of the Condition Report on the Persian Manuscripts
• Analysis of the findings of the Condition Report on the Arabic Manuscripts
• Analysis of the findings of the Condition Report on the Turkish Manuscripts
• RAS Manuscript Survey - detailing the condition of each individual manuscript.

Photographic Collections
In 2002 Jane McAusland, Conservator, carried out a survey on the Society's photographs. The material associated with this is:

• 'The Collection of 19th Century Photographs in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society... A Proposed Strategy to Conserve the Collection', typed report of her findings and suggestions for care, 8 pieces, dated February 2002.
• Letter from Jane McAusland to Helen Cordell, Royal Asiatic Society, to send the report and her invoice. Typed, 2 pieces, dated 10 February 2002.
• There is also a later letter from Alison Ohta, Director, Royal Asiatic Society, to Ms O'Connell, concerning seeking funding for the digitisation of the photograph collection. Typed, 2 pieces, dated 25 February 2011.

Coin Collections
A report concerning the state of the RAS coin collections including recommendation for specialist cleaning. Typed report, 3 pieces, dated 14 August 2002.

Preservation Audit Reports
In 2004, after taking advice from Caroline Bendix, conservator, the Society applied to Archives, Libraries and Museums, London (ALM), for a grant to undertake a preservation audit. This was successful and the audit was carried out. The material associated with this audit is:

• 'Notes on the meeting with book conservation expert Caroline Bendix, 5 May 2004' - typed report detailing possible ways to enhance the state of the collections, 1 piece.
• 'ALM Collections Care Funding Programme, 2004-2005, Application Form, Preservation Audit Visit and Report' - completed application form, electronic document, original content created 28 May 2004, archival document created 12 November 2004.
• Two notification letters and three sets of a Memorandum of Agreement between ALM London and the Royal Asiatic Society concerning the Preservation Audit Visit and Report scheme, each for one consultant conservator. Also contains information of the consultants working for the scheme. Typed, 10 pieces, dated 2 August 2004.
• 'Preservation Audit Report on the Books and Archives at the Royal Asiatic Society, Caroline Bendix and Jonathan Rhys-Lewis, November, 2004' - detailed report on the books by Caroline Bendix and the archives by Jonathan Rhys-Lewis created following the funding received by ALM. Softcover booklet, dated November -December 2004.
• 'Royal Asiatic Society Preservation Audit Visit and Report, November 2004' undertaken by Deirdre Mulley, Conservation and Collection Care, funded by the ALM. Softcover booklet, dated November 2004.
• 'Action Plan for the RAS Collections', report created for the Library Committee 12 May 2005 after receiving the Preservation Audit Reports. Electronic document, first created 9 May 2005. Archival document created 12 November 2024.
• ALM feedback questionnaire for funding from 2003-2006. Electronic document first created in 23 February 2006. Archival document created 12 November 2024.

Royal Asiatic Society Archive Audit by Simon Fenwick
An audit and report carried out on the archival collections by Simon Fenwick, consultant archivist, detailing the archives found and the care needed. With the report is the invoice for his services. Typed, 16 pieces, dated 8 July 2007.

Computerised Cataloguing Project
Two draft applications for funding to finance a computer catalogue for the Society's collections. Funding was sought from the Mercers Company and the Foyle Foundation. The Mercer application is dated to 2009.

Catalogues covering multiple types of manuscripts. These are:

• ‘Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hindustani, Tibetan and Armenia Manuscript’. Several catalogues bound into one volume. These are:
  1. ‘A Descriptive Catalogue of the Historical Manuscripts in the Arabic and Persian Languages, preserved in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland’ by William H. Morley, dated 1854.
  2. ‘Catalogue of Arabic, Persian, Hindustani, and Turkish MSS in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society’ by O. Codrington, Honorary Librarian, dated 18 January 1892.
  3. ‘The Schrumpf Collection of Armenian Books’ by Professor Minas Tchéraz, dated October 1893.
  4. List of the Tibetan MSS and Printed Books in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society’ by H. Wenzel.
     These are all bound into one volume and have extensive annotations and some inserted material too. This volume is found in the Reading Room Office.
• ‘A Catalogue of South Indian Manuscripts (especially those of the Whish Collection) belonging to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland’ compiled by Dr M. Winternitz, Professor of the German University of Prague, with an appendix by F.W. Thomas, dated 1902; and ‘Catalogue of Buddhist Sanskrit Manuscripts in the possession of the Royal Asiatic Society (Hodgson Collection’ by Professors E.B. Cowell and J. Eggeling and ‘Catalogue of the Tod Collection of Indian Manuscripts in the Possession of the Royal Asiatic Society’ by L.D Barnett, dated 1940. Printed catalogues with handwritten annotations and notes inserted, 347 pages, Bound volume - title on cover reads 'R.A.S. Catalogues of Muhammadan and Tibetan Manuscripts, 1892'. This is located in the Reading Room Office.
• 'R.A.S. Catalogue of Collection of M.S.S. &c.' - handwritten lists of manuscripts divided according to the languages. Bound volume with black cover and some inserts. This volume is in a fragile condition.
• 'Oriental MSS in Glazed Case on Landing', listed according to shelf. Handwritten small notebook - cover and pages loose.
• 'Royal Asiatic Society - Oriental MSS not found in any printed catalogue or hand list 1956' - typed list with handwritten annotations, 2 pieces, foolscap.
• 'Oriental Manuscripts in the R.A.S.' - list of the quantities of each type of manuscript subdivided into type. One piece, photocopy of typed list.

Electronic documents (archival documents created in 2024)

• 'RAS Manuscripts lists and catalogues' - the document explains the different types of manuscripts held in the Collections and some of the lists and catalogues that have been created for them. The document was first created in 2014.

The Society holds regular General Meetings at which a speaker delivers a lecture. The material in this subseries concerns both general administration for these meetings and minutes and lecture details for individual events.

General Administration

• 'Royal Asiatic Society - Shanghai – Lectures and Activities' - list of events from March 2006 - June 2007.
• Invitation to speakers - an invitation to interested parties to lecture at the Society, 2007.
• 'Lecture Programme' - administrative document concerning the organisation of lectures in 2007.
• 'Royal Asiatic Society - Shanghai – Activities in Shanghai' - list of events from May - October 2007

Individual Meetings
22 June 2006

• General Meeting Minutes for the meeting.
• Introduction to the speaker Zenaida des Aubris.
• Publicity for the lecture by Zenaida des Aubris.
• Photograph of Zenaida des Aubris.

16 November 2006

• Introduction to the speaker Dr Tianxiang Zhan.
• Summary of the life of John Leighton Stuart as publicity for the lecture (Publicity 1).
• Publicity for the lecture giving details of the event (Publicity 2).

13 December 2006

• General Meeting Minutes for the meeting.
• Introduction to the speaker Maria Blanco Facal.
• Publicity for the lecture by Maria Blanco Facal (please note that this is dated as 14 December 2006).

17 January 2007

• General Meeting Minutes for the meeting.
• Introduction to the speaker Judith Kolbas.
• Publicity for the lecture by Judith Kolbas.

15 March 2007

• General Meeting Minutes for the meeting.
• Introduction to the speaker Li Yanfeng
• Publicity for the lecture by Li Yanfeng giving details of the lecture and venue (Publicity 1).
• Publicity for the lecture by Li Yanfeng giving details of the lecture (Publicity 2).

18 April 2007

• General Meeting Minutes for the meeting.
• Introduction to the speaker Betty Wei.
• Publicity for the lecture by Betty Wei giving details of the lecture (Publicity 1).
• Publicity for the lecture by Betty Wei giving details of the lecture and venue (Publicity 2).

23 May 2007

• General Meeting Agenda for the meeting.
• General Meeting Minutes for the meeting.
• Introduction to the speaker Paolo Sabbatini.
• Publicity for the lecture by Paolo Sabbatini giving details of the lecture and venue.

24 June 2007

• General Meeting Minutes for the meeting.
• Introduction to the speakers Beth McKillop and Jane Portal.
• Publicity for the lectures by Beth McKillop and Jane Portal giving details of the lecture and venue.

21 October 2007

• Introduction to the speaker Peter Hibbard.
• Publicity for the lecture by Peter Hibbard giving details of the lecture and venue.

A general plan of the Karli caves, scale is 30ft to an inch. This is sheet 5 in the folder.

News report of the visit of Lord Furness, chairman of the Anglo Mongolian Society, to Mongolia from the Daily Telegraph, 15 November 1965.

Geometrical Propositions. Draft manuscript. Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides

Royal Charter of Incorporation with seal given by George IV to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland at the request of Charles Watkin Williams Wynn and other members of the Society. Included in the Charter was permission to own buildings and land to a value of £1000 and that the First Commissioner for the affairs of India should be a Vice-Patron and that there should be a Council to direct the affairs of the Society consisting of a President and not more than twenty-four or less than six other members. It declares that Charles Watkin Williams Wynn will be the first President and that the first Council members should be elected within six months after the date of the Charter. The General Meetings should elect the President and the Council. The finances will be in the charge of the Council and the members will have the right to dispose of assets, and that no bye-law can be made contrary to the spirit of the Charter. The charter measures 80cm by 61cm, and the seal is 15cm in diameter.

Letter from Godfrey Thomas, Private Secretary, to Lord Reay, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) would be unable to attend a dinner at the Society prior to him leaving for India. Typed with St James's Palace letterhead, dated 15 July 1921.

Researchers should look at the Minutes of the Council Meeting for this time period for further patronage information.