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This material contains 4 handwritten notebooks and a letter concerning their donation.

Information and correspondence concerning the setting up, running and programme of Asia House and its interaction with the Royal Asiatic Society. These are:

"Opening the Doors to Asia" - a copy of an article by Michael Simmons from 'Director', June 1976, concerning the possibility of setting up an Asia centre in London.

"Editorial" from 'Oriental Art Magazine' , Autumn 1976, concerning the possibility of an Asia House for London.

"Asia House (London) Newsletter: March 1977" to announce the setting up of a working committee to co-ordinate the work for establishing an Asia House in London, similar to that in New York.

"An Asia House for London" - a typed document detailing the aims in establishing Asia House, London. Typed, undated.

Letter from A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Professor John Carswell, Sotheby's, to state that the Society would be keen to be kept informed of progress in the establishing of Asia House. Typed, dated 27 July 1993.

Letter from Professor John Carswell, Director, Islamic Department, Sotheby's, to A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to thank for his letter of which he has sent a copy to Sir Peter Wakefield. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 9 August 1993.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to thank for his letter and ask if he would agree to form part of the U.K. Advisory Council in his capacity as President of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 1 September 1993. With the letter is a paper "An Asia House for London" concerned with the reasons for establishing an Asia House.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to invite him to a reception at the Travellers Club for those involved in the establishment of an Asia House in London. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 29 September 1993. With the letter is a draft of the Asia House prospectus and a list of the Advisory Panel.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to invite to the Asia House Reception at St. James's Palace. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 9 November 1993. With the letter is a brochure setting out the aims of Asia House. Printed material.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform him of the continuing developments in the growth of the Advisory Council and the Executive Committee. He informs concerning the Asia House dinner party and that he is about to embark on a fundraising trip to several countries in Asia. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 21 March 1994.

Letter from A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Sir Peter Wakefield to thank for his letter and inform that it would be laid before the Council at its next meeting. He writes that it unlikely that the Society will be able to give pecuniary aid as the Society is currently running at a deficit but they would be happy to provide non-financial or academic assistance. Typed, dated 28 March 1994.

Letter from A.D.H. Bivar, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Sir Peter Wakefield to inform him that the Council of the Society were keen to hear of the progress of the Asia House project. He also informs that his term of office as President has come to an end and he will be replaced by Dr. D.W. MacDowall. Typed, dated 23 June 1994.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to Dr D.W. MacDowall to ask that he will become a member of the Advisory Council on assuming the Presidency of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 19 August 1994.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to Dr D.W. MacDowall to inform of continued progress in the establishment of Asia House particularly in the expansion of the Advisory Council to include Asian members, and in the continued aspects of the fundraising campaign. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 12 September 1994.

Letter from D.W. MacDowall, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Sir Peter Wakefield to express his willingness to serve on the Advisory Council. Typed, dated 15 September 1994.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to Dr D.W. MacDowall to advise of the changes in the Advisory Council and the continued fundraising. He also informs that a programme of events will commence with an exhibition of Chenghua porcelain at Sotheby's. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 26 April 1995.

Letter from D.W. MacDowall, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Sir Peter Wakefield to express his pleasure at hearing of the continuing progress and of the exhibition. He stresses again the willingness of support from the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 18 May 1995.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to Lydia Collins, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society to inform of the creation of Asia House as a new institution. He asks for Asia House to be added to the Society's mailing list and to receive its newsletter or publications. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 20 July 1995.

Letter from Dr. D.W. MacDowall, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Sir Peter Wakefield to thank for his letter and to explain about the Royal Asiatic Society and to express the Society's support in drawing the activities of Asia House to the Society's members. Typed, dated 26 July 1995.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to Dr D.W. MacDowall to inform of the official launch of Asia House at a reception at the Foreign and Commonwealth House. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 31 January 1996. With the letter is an official invitation to the launch on 14 March 1996.

Note from Asia House to send a list of sponsors omitted from Sir Peter Wakefield's letter of 31 January 1996. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 1 February 1996.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to Dr. D.W. MacDowall, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to share the press release from the launch of Asia House. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 19 March 1996. With the letter is the press release notice.

Letter from Ann Mytton to Philippa Vaughan to send a summary of the meeting at Asia House on 10 January 1997. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 13 January 1997. With the letter are the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 January 1997.

Letter from Sir Peter Wakefield to Dr. D.W. MacDowall, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform of the progress from Asia House in building membership and arranging a cultural programme. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 20 March 1997.

Letter from Betty Lao, Head, Members Cultural Programme, Asia House, to Adrian Thomas, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society to inform of events that may be of interest to the members of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 21 August 2002. With the letter is a flyer for a lecture by William Dalrymple on his book "White Mughals", and the Asia House newsletter for November 2002. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 21 August 2002.

In 1939 the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences celebrated its bicentenary. These papers consist of a printed invitation to the Royal Asiatic Society to send delegates to the celebration and correspondence regarding this. These are:

• "The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 1739-1939". Official invitation to the Royal Asiatic Society to send one or more delegates to the celebration of their 200th anniversary from 23-25 September 1939. Printed material with handwritten insertions, undated.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to The President, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, to state that the invitation will be laid before the Council at its next meeting. He asks for further information regarding the venue. Typed, dated 24 April 1939.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Rev. C.T. Harley Walker to inform him that he had been unanimously chosen to represent the Society at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' bicentenary. Typed, dated 10 May 1939.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Professor Bernhard Karlgreen to inform him that he had been unanimously chosen to represent the Society at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' bicentenary. Typed, dated 10 May 1939.
• Letter from Rev. C.T. Harley Walker to the Royal Asiatic Society to express his honour at being chosen to represent the Society. He also asks whether there might be some help with the expenses for attending the celebrations. Handwritten, 3 pages, dated 15 May 1939.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Perowne, Solicitor, concerning Rev. C.T. Harley Walker being asked to represent the Society and how Hoysted should respond to his letter. Handwritten, dated 17 May 1939.
• Letter from Edward Perowne, Solicitor, to Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that the letter should be put before the Council. His view as Honorary Treasurer was that no money should be given. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 22 May 1939.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Rev. C.T. Harley Walker to state that he would reply to his enquiry after the next Council meeting. Typed, dated 23 May 1939.
• Letter from Professor Bernhard Karlgreen to Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he would be honoured to represent the Society. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 30 May 1939.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Rev. C.T. Harley Walker to inform him that the Council regrets that it will be unable to make a contribution towards travelling expenses. Typed, dated 14 June 1939.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to The President, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, to state that the Society's delegate will be Professor Bernhard Karlgreen. Typed, dated 15 June 1939.
• Letter from Professor D.S. Margoliouth, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that one representative of the Society will be sufficient. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 5 July 1939.
• Letter from Rev. C.T. Harley Walker to the Royal Asiatic Society to state that he will not be able to travel to Sweden for the bicentenary celebrations. Handwritten, 2 pages, dated 14 July 1939.
• Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Rev. C.T. Harley Walker to express his regrets that Walker will be unable to represent the Society. Typed, dated 17 July 1939.

Correspondence concerning a special meeting to be held from 20-23 September 1938, at Keble College, Oxford, to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of the founding of the Society for Old Testament Study. These are:

• Letter from Theodore H. Robinson, Secretary, Society for Old Testament Study, to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform concerning the special meeting at which several Honorary Members will read papers alongside distinguished British scholars. He asks for the Royal Asiatic Society to be represented at the meeting. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 June 1938.
• Letter from Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr M. Gaster to ask, on behalf of the Council, whether he would consider being the Society's representative at the special meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study. Typed, dated 15 July 1938.
• Letter from Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr A. Guillaume to ask, on behalf of the Council, whether he would consider being the Society's representative at the special meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study. Typed, dated 15 July 1938.
• Letter from Dr A. Guillaume to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to express his honour in being the Society's representative. He states that he may have difficulties attending the whole Conference due to duties as the Bishop's chaplain. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 July 1938.
• Letter from Dr M. Gaster to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he would be happy to act as the Delegate of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 18 July 1938.
• Postcard from Dr A. Guillaume to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he has managed to be freed from his duties and will therefore accept the honour of representing the Royal Asiatic Society. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 27 July 1938.
• Letter from Dr A. Guillaume to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he has not had any communication from the Society for Old Testament Study. If Col. Hoysted has been sent any notice could it be forwarded to Guillaume. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 September 1938.
• Letter from Theodore H. Robinson, Secretary, Society for Old Testament Study, to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he does not seem to have had a reply concerning the representative for the Royal Asiatic Society. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 18 September 1938.
• Letter on behalf of Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Theodore Robinson to state that Professor Guillaume will represent the Society. Typed, dated 19 September 1938.
• Letter on behalf of Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr A. Guillaume to enclose the programme for the meeting and apologise for him not receiving one sooner. Typed, dated 19 September 1938.

The Papers of P.E. Roberts consists of lists extracted from the India Office Letter Books for 1702 to 1753. These handwritten lists detail, for each year, all the East India Company ships sent out from Britain, their tonnage, the destination of each and the value of the cargo.

With the lists are two typed letters from Roberts to William Harrison Moreland, sent from Worcester College, Oxford. The first, dated 12 January 1924, explains that Roberts had been looking through old papers and had come across the lists which he had made about 23 years ago. Feeling he would not use them, he was about to dispose of them when he thought Moreland might find them helpful. He therefore asks if Moreland would like them. Roberts also comments on his admiration for Moreland's books on Indian Economic History.

In the second letter, dated 15 January 1924, Roberts thanks Moreland for his letter and writes to send him the extracts. Roberts recalls that he was working for Sir William Hunter at that time he made the lists and, that subsequently, he found the lists were accurate according to Hardy's Shipping Register.

The Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka was incorporated soon after its foundation as an affiliated society to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. This material covers some of the interaction between the two societies. These are:

• "The 125th Anniversary of The Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch)" by P.R. Sittampalam, Honorary Secretary - photocopy of an article from the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
• Letter from Kunst and Wissen, Germany, to the Royal Asiatic Society to ask the address of the publishers of the the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 16 April 1970.
• Letter from F. Sprangers, Belguim, to Royal Asiatic Society asking for a sample issue of the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). Handwritten, dated August 1974. Also the reply from Royal Asiatic Society to give address of the Ceylon Branch. Typed, dated 9 September 1974.
• Letter from Audrey Meenan, Serials Department, British Library, to Miss Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to ask for confirmation of the address of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 24 July 1976.
• Letter from Wilfred M. Gunasekara, Honorary Joint Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society (Sri Lanka Branch), to the President, Royal Asiatic Society, to thank for the donation of the book, "The Royal Asiatic Society - Its History and Treasures". Typed, dated 25 September 1980.
• Letter from Faxon to the Royal Asiatic Society to ask concerning the address of the Royal Asiatic Society, Sri Lanka Branch. Typed, dated 16 December 1983.
• Letter from Wilfred M. Gunasekara, Honorary Joint Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society (Sri Lanka Branch), to the Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to ask for a copy of the letter of incorporation of the Ceylon Branch. Typed, dated 13 January 1985. With this is a copy of the reply to state that no letter is in existence and also the Minutes books are temporarily in store while the Society's buildings are being renovated. Handwritten, dated 31 January 1985.
• Letters expressing concern regarding the possible new incorporation of the Royal Asiatic Society (Sri Lanka Branch) with the Royal Asiatic Society from H. W. Weeraratne, dated 16 November 1985; Harold Weevaratne, dated 21 November 1985; and H.W. Weeraratne, dated 9 December 1985.
• Letter from the Honorary President, Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka Branch, to the Honorary Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that the incorporation will entail the name of the Society becoming the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. Typed, dated 22 January 1986.
• Letter from the Honorary Joint Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, to the Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform of the dispatch of two publications as complimentary copies for the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 20 June 1990.
• Correspondence between Michael Pollock, Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society, and Dr Somapala Jayawardhana, Honorary Joint Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, concerning copies of the Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka for the Royal Asiatic Society's Collections. Nine letters, typed, dated from 18 May 1992 - 7 September 1993. Also 4 postcards of receipt.
• Correspondence between Michael Pollock, Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society, and B.E. Wijesuriya, Administrative Assistant for the Honorary Treasurer, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, concerning obtaining copies of the Sesquicentennial Commemorative Volume of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. Two letters, typed, dated 25 April - 30 May 1995. With these letters is a printed pamphlet advertising the Commemorative Volume.
• Letter from Michael Pollock, Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society, to G.P.S.H. de Silva, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, to inform of the death of Professor Charles Fraser Beckingham, who was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. Typed, dated 12 November 1998.
• Correspondence concerning the visit of Mr R. Wijedasa of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka to the Royal Asiatic Society. Four letters, typed, dated 18 May 2003 - 30 July 2003.

Dent's Personal Papers consist of:

• "The Ascent of Tsiteli" - a Paper by C.T. Dent, read before the Alpine Club, June 1898.
• Manuscript Chapters on Climbing in the Caucasus.

These papers of Dennis Duncanson, dating from 1965 to 1976 are comprised of several manuscripts from his book, 'Government and Revolution in Vietnam ' (1968, OUP), as well as draft manuscripts from his other works. The collection also contains a variety of correspondence with academic organisations, personal friends, colleagues and professional acquaintances; review clippings of his book and newspaper cuttings on Vietnam.

"The Brahminical Mode of Computing Time and generally followed in all parts of Hindostan". A paper that was presented to the Royal Asiatic Society and read by Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod at the General Meeting of the Society on 21st July 1832, under the title of "Calculation of the Variation of the Measure of Time in India". The material is handwritten in ink with pencil annotations. Also with the paper is a comment upon the paper with criticisms of Haliburton's methods, dated 19 January 1833.

This collection contains correspondence between Abraham Poliak and the Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society (Diana Crawford), concerning the proposed reprint of Poliak's publication, Feudalism in Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and the Lebanon 1250-1900. This was originally published in 1939 funded by the Society's Prize Publication Fund.

Due to Poliak's death in 1970, the proposed reprint never came to fruition, The collection also contains three notebooks of draft amendments made by Poliak.