Fonds SC55 - Kalmyk-German Dictionary

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 SC55

Title

Kalmyk-German Dictionary

Date(s)

  • 1807-1835 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

1 handwritten manuscript within a bound volume with a green cloth cover, 28 x 19 cm.

Context area

Name of creator

(1783-1835)

Biographical history

Heinrich Julius Klaproth was born in Berlin and studied at the Halle University. Klaproth studied Asiatic languages, and published in 1802 his Asiatisches Magazin (Weimar 1802–1803). He was called to St. Petersburg and given an appointment in the academy there and in 1805 he was a member of Count Golovkin's embassy to China. On his return he was despatched by the academy to the Caucasus on an ethnographical and linguistic exploration (1807–1808), and was afterwards employed for several years in connection with the academy's Oriental publications. In 1812 he moved back to Berlin.

In 1815 he settled in Paris, and in 1816 Humboldt procured for him, from the king of Prussia, the title and salary of Professor of Asiatic languages and literature, with permission to remain in Paris as long as was requisite for the publication of his works He died in Paris on 28 August 1835.

Name of creator

Archival history

This manuscript is believed to have been created by Julius Klaproth which was sold in an auction after his death and described in the 'Catalogue de Livre et Manuscrits de M. Klaproth' in 1839 by Laudresse. The item was resold in February 1850 by Puttich & Simpson. This information was gleaned by Dr W. Simon from catalogues in the British Museum.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

it is unknown how the manuscript came to be part of the Society's collections.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

'Dictionnaire Kalmouk - Allemand: Texte' - a handwritten manuscript believed to be created by Julius Klaproth containing the Kalmyk alphabet and a dictionary of words. A note has been added on the front paper recording; 'This fragment of a Dictionary most probably came from Klaproth's library which was sold at his death - H [S] Decr. 1850'. The dictionary sections are divided under headings of page numbers, suggesting this manuscript may have been copied from a larger one. Inserted into the manuscript is a piece of yellow paper providing the information gained By Dr W. Simon about the manuscript's provenance. The front cover has a label affixed with 'Mongolian' ascribed in ink and 'Kalmuch- German Dictionary' in pencil. and the spine has a paper label stating Mongolian-German'. These appear to be additions made once in came into the Society's possession.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open. Please contact the archivist. Details can be found here : https://royalasiaticarchives.org/. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.

Conditions governing reproduction

Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Language of material

  • French
  • German
  • Kalmyk

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Physical characteristics and technical requirements

    Finding aids

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    The Society's collections hold books and pamphlets written by Klaproth. Details can be found at: https://ras.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=&q=klaproth&weight_search=1.

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Access points

    Subject access points

    Place access points

    Name access points

    Genre access points

    Description control area

    Description identifier

    gb 891-sc55

    Institution identifier

    Rules and/or conventions used

    Status

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation revision deletion

    This material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2024.

    Language(s)

      Script(s)

        Sources

        Accession area