The International Congress of Orientalists, initiated in Paris in 1873, was an international conference of Orientalists. It was later renamed as the International Congress of Human Sciences in Asia and North Africa and then as the International Congress of Asian and North African Studies. This material covers the interaction of the Royal Asiatic Society with the Congress in the time period 1889 to 1993.

Correspondence and official documentation concerned with International Congresses of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences and the association of the Royal Asiatic Society with the Congresses.

Correspondence concerned with the future of the India Office Library in 1948 and again in 1961.

Correspondence concerning the future of the Horniman Museum. These are:

• Letter from Brian Durrans, Deputy Keeper, Museum of Mankind, to Sir Cyril Philips, Royal Asiatic Society, to ask if the Society would consider adding its voice to the other bodies in a letter expressing concern regarding the fate of the Horniman Museum. He notes that the Society's Otto Samson lecture links it to the Horniman Museum where Samson was a curator. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 15 February 1988. With this letter is a copy of the letter to be sent to the Secretary of State, dated 15 February 1988.
• Letter from Brian Durrans, Deputy Keeper, Museum of Mankind, to Sir Cyril Philips, Royal Asiatic Society, to ask for a copy of the letter that Philips sent to the Secretary of State. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 26 February 1988.
• Card from the Department of Education & Science to Cyril Philips, Royal Asiatic Society, to acknowledge receipt of his letter. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 17 March 1988.
• Letter from Robert Jackson, Department of Education & Science, to Cyril Philips, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that the government is committed to securing the future of the Horniman and Geffrye Museums. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 8 April 1988.

Notes and correspondence regarding the history of 56 Queen Anne Street. These are:

• "The Royal Asiatic Society's House in Queen Anne Street" - a typed history of the building plus two further pages of typed and handwritten notes.
• Letter from Elliott, Son & Boyton, Surveyors, concerning former lease holders of the property, dated 23 May 1947.
• Correspondence with Howard de Walden Estates about former lease holders, 4 letters, 20 July 1967-29 August 1967.
• Letter from Brian Rawford concerning his memories of the house, dated 26 September 1968.
• Correspondence with the Embroiderers' Guild concerning their memories of the property, 2 letters, dated 25 January 1968 - 26 January 1968.
• Correspondence with the Librarian, University of Nottingham, and the County Archivist, Nottingham, concerning the Portland Papers, 12 items, dated 26 November 1969 - 25 February 1970.

Five sheets of headed notepaper bearing the Queen Anne Street address and one headed postcard.

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.

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.

Correspondence with other Official Bodies: These are:

• Correspondence with the British Academy concerning the giving of a grant from the British Academy to support the Sesquicentenary Symposium, 8 letters, dated 19 December 1972 - 7 June 1973.
• Correspondence with the Mayor of London, Mansion House, regarding the possibility of holding a Reception at Mansion House. This was not possible, 4 letters dated 19 March 1973 - 29 March 1973.
• Correspondence with the Corporation of London regarding the possibility of them hosting a Reception. This was not possible. 2 letters, dated 6 April 1973 - 23 May 1973.

Six further items of correspondence:

• Estimate from Richard Madley Ltd. to Royal Asiatic Society for the cost of providing 200 copies of a booklet, dated 5 July 1973.
• Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Richard Madley Ltd. to accept the estimate, dated 6 July 1973.
• Letter from Sir Harold Bailey to Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to ask if he may see a photograph taken at the Symposium, dated 1 August 1973.
• Copy of a letter from Robin Allen, nephew of W.E.D. Allen, to Counsellor Filatov, Embassy of the USSR, concerning the invitation of Professors Daniyalov, Abayev, and Tsereteli to the Sesquicentenary celebration of the Royal Asiatic Society, dated 11th July 1972.
• Letter from Robin Allen to Miss Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to enclose the above letter and to inform that his uncle is out of hospital, dated 16 July 1972.
• Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Robin Allen to acknowledge receipt of his letter and to express her gladness that his uncle is out of hospital, dated 27 July 1972.