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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.

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.

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.
• Memorandum of Agreement between ALM London and the Royal Asiatic Society concerning the Preservation Audit. Typed, 2 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 Deidre 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
An undated audit carried out on the archival collections (pre-archivist) detailing the archives found and the care needed. Typed report, 4 pieces, undated and unnamed.

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 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.

Catalogues and handlists concerning the Collections of the Royal Asiatic Society. These include catalogues and lists which cover more than one type of material and also catalogues and lists of other catalogues and lists.

Correspondence regarding acquisitions to the Society. These are:

• Letter from Mrs Z M Yalland to donate a copy of her book, "Traders and Nabobs, the British in Cawnpore 1765-1857", dated 12 December 1988.
• Letter from John Hansman to Ralph Pinder Wilson, Director, Royal Asiatic Society to state that he had left a box of Arabic manuscript with David Bivar to be offered as a donation to the Society, in appreciation of the kindnesses offered to him by the Society. He is also donating a biography of Richard Burton by Feme Brody. Typed letter, dated 26 June 1991.
• Letter from Zurab Makharadze, Chairman of the Scientific industrial Unification 'Memtiane' of the Republic of Georgia, to the Director, Royal Asaitic Society, to send a second volume of Persian firmans of the Tbilisi Collection. Typed, 1 piece, dated 22 July 1991.
• Correspondence regarding the donation of the book "Poet Tambimuutu - a Profile", 8 letters, 10 December 1991-26 October 1993.
• Correspondence with John Page concerning the donation of two volumes of Publications de L'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme-Orient Memoires Archaeologiques, 2 letters, 26 February 1992-4 March 1992.
• Letter from Ian Proudfoot to donate a copy of his survey of "Early Printed Malay Books", 1 letter, 7 August 1992.
• Letter from Kazem Musavi Bojnurdi to donated four volumes of "Great Islamic Encyclopaedia", 1 letter, 11 September 1992.
• Correspondence with A.J. H. Reid concerning the donation of the book, "Diary of Events on the Progress of SHAMEEN 1859-1936, Diary of events happened or noticed on Shameen surrounding the surrender of Canton City", 1938 and photographs concerning China belonging to his grandfather, 3 letters, 25 March 1993 - 27 August 1993.
• Letter from M. Chahin to donate his recently published monograph, "Some Legendary Kings of Armenia", 16 December 1993.
• Letter from Michael Pollock, Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society, to Hedley Sutton, Oriental and India Office Collections, British Library to confirm the duplicate serial parts the Society would like from the British Library's surplus, typed, dated 6 January 1994.
• Letter from Mayura Brown to Michael Pollock to sned a copy of her review of 'Napalese Textiles' by Mrs Dunsmore, which had recently been donated to the Library. Two pieces, typed and printed, dated 18 January 1995.
• Correspondence regarding the donations of books from the Ecole Francaise D'Extreme-Orient, 2 letters, 9 April 1996-17 April 1996.
• Correspondence regarding the RAS agreement to house the archive of the Society for South Asian Studies, 1 letter, 6 January 1997.
• Letter to Dr Khalili to thank him for the presentation of a set of catalogues of his Collections, 25 February 1997.
• Card from Helen B. Smith, wife of Professor Ronald Morton Smith, to donate a copy of his book, undated. And letter from Michael Pollock to Helen B. Smith to thank her for the donation of her late husband's book, 'Kings and Coins in India' by Professor Morton Smith. Typed,1 piece, dated 11 September 1997.
• Correspondence with Lt. Col. P.H. Haslett concerning the donation of the four volumes of The Shah Nameh collated by Turner Macan, Calcutta, 1829, 2 letters, 2-8 June 1998.
• Letter from Bernard Nurse, Librarian, Society of Antiquaries of London, to Michael Pollock to express his thanks that the Society will accept an Arabic manuscript and to ask whether the Society would also like volumes of the Belleten of the Turk Tarih Kurumu. Typed, 1 piece, dated 30 June 1998.
• Correspondence with Mr Christopher Ondaatje regarding his donation to the Society of three books relating to his travels in Sri Lanka, India and Africa, 2 items, 16 November 1998.
• Correspondence with Peter Jackson concerning the donation of his book, The Delhi Sultanate, 2 letters, 27 May 1999-1 June 1999.
• Letter from J.M.G. Halsted regarding the donation of books on Iran to the RAS, and list and notes concerning those books, 3 items, 11 March 2000.
• Correspondence regarding the re-acquisition of NEVE, Arthur, Picturesque Kashmir, London, Sands, 1900, part of the Fanshawe bequest. 3 letters, 22 May 2000-30 May 2000, electronic document originally created in 2000, archival document made in 2018 (RAS COLL03.08.02.01.01).
• Letter from Anthony Stockwell concerning the donation of a lacquer-boarded album of Japanese hand-tinted photographs and some Chinese photographs from Jean Lowe, 5 April 2001.
• Letters concerning the donation of material pertaining to Professor Rhys-Davids. One is an electronic document first created in 22 May 2001 and made into a archival document in 2018 (RAS COLL03.08.02.01.02); the other is a physical letter, 29 May 2001.
• Correspondence with Mr Worswick concerning donation of the catalogue from the Peabody Essex Museum of Salem to the Society's library and the possible purchase of photographic material from the Society, 2 letters, 4 March 2002 - 21 March 2002.
• Printed email from Gerry Birch to Michael Pollock regarding the bequest of Mrs Mayura Brown of two Buddhas and a number of books plus further letter from Lt. Col G D Birch concerning the bequest, 5 November 2002 - 22 November 2002.
• Letter from Robert Deans to donate the tenth volume of the Friends of Jade in memory of the late Robert L. Frey, 14 November 2002 plus letter from RAS to thank him for his donations, electronic document first created 6 June 2001, made into archival document in 2018 (RAS COLL03.08.02.01.03).
• Letter to the Librarian at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery to thank for the donation of publications, 20 January 2003.
• Correspondence concerning the donation of slides of Angkor Wat taken by Valery Gibson. Donated by her brother Tim Gibson following Valery's death, 5 items, 15 March 2003 - 2 April 2003.
• Correspondence concerning the donation of Jaipur documents by Michael Willis, 3 items, 21 May 2003 - 26 June 2003.
• Letter to Dr Shams N. Zaman to thank for donation of books. Electronic document first created 30 June 2003 and made into an archival document in 2018 (RAS COLL03.08.02.01.04).
• Correspondence concerning the donation of publications from Mr Haribar Raj Joshi, 2 items, 20 January 2004 -17 February 2004.
• Letter to Mrs N. Whitelaw for the donation of material on Malay and Chinese languages. This is an electronic document first created 21 January 2004 and made into an archival document in 2018 (RAS COLL03.08.02.01.05)
• Correspondence concerning the donation of "Singular and Different" by Ian Rae, 2 items, 4 October 2004-13 October 2004.
• Letter to Mme Rachel Arie to thank for her donation of "Historia y Cultura de la Granada Nazari", 20 October 2004.
• Letter to Natasha Smirnova, Keeper, Numismatic Department of State Pushkin Museum, to thank for the donation of a new book from the Pushkin Museum, 16 November 2004.
• Letter from the British Embassy of Kathmandu to the Royal Asiatic Society to send a copy of the book on Raj Man Singh Chitrakar written by My Harihar Raj and Mrs Indi Joshi, dated 30 August 2005.
• Correspondence with Raphael Loewe concerning the donation of journals belonging to his great-grandfather, 2 items, 11 September 2005 - 22 September 2005.
• Correspondence concerning the donation of "A Study of the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society" by Wang Yi, 2 items, 13 January 2006 - 3 November 2006.
• Letter to Dr V. Nersessian to thank him for the donation of two books on Armenian history, 8 March 2006 and a further letter to Dr V. Nersessian to thank for the donation of the book on Armenian clergymen buried in West Bengal by T. Baghumyan, 10 December 2008.
• Letter to thank Mr R Woodward for his donation of books. With the letter is a list of the donated books and a biography of Reg Woodward with list of slides, 24 November 2006.
• Correspondence concerning the donation of "Preserving Pakistan's past: notes on archival resources and management" by Martin Moir, 2 items, 29 May 2007-31 May 2007.
• Letter to thank the Director-General, The Toyo Bunko, for his donation of the "Treasures of the Toyo Bunko", 27 November 2008.
• Correspondence regarding the donation of an Ottoman manuscript by Robert Darley-Doran, 5 items, 2 March 2009-9 September 2011.
• Shipping notice for Encyclopaedia of Islam Supplement Fascicules, 24 March 2009.
• Correspondence concerning the donation of "The Fall of Arbuthnot and Co." by Rangaswamy Srinavasan, 3 items, 27 March 2009 - 8 April 2009.
• Correspondence concerning the donation of "Pashmina: The Kashmir Shawl and Beyond", 2 items, 13 April 2009 - 21 April 2009.
• Letter from Jane Mann to donate 4 Hong Kong Annual Reports for 1953, 1963, 1964 and 1969, 5 November 2009.
• Letter to thank Dr Bakhtiar for his donation of books to the RAS Library, 11 June 2010

Three small ink and pencil drawings of gated windows in from Cave No. 52. Scale is half an inch to a foot.

Map of the route from Gantok [Gangtok]to Gyantse, dated 1939. Drawn in pencil and ink

Galley proofs of the RAS Charter and Byelaw, 1981, with hand-written corrections.

Galley proofs for the 1970 Charter & Byelaws Booklet.