Four letters to Professor T.W. Rhys Davids, Secretary and Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society, concerning rent and rates of 22 Albemarle Street. Three letters are from Charles Asprey, the fourth from F.F. Arbuthnot.

Correspondence with Merchant Taylors' Hall concerning the hosting of the Sesquicenteary Dinner at the premises on Threadneedle Street. These are:

• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to The Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall to ask whether the possibility of holding the Sesquicentenary Dinner at the Hall could be made official, dated 21 April 1972.
• Letter from the Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall, to B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that the Master and Wardens have agreed in principle to the use of the Hall, dated 19 July 1972.
• Letter from the Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall, to B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that the Master and Wardens have agreed with the terms and conditions concerning the Sesquicentenary Dinner and to stipulate some costs and their preferred caterer, dated 12 January 1973.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to The Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall, regarding the terms and conditions, and to invite the Master to the Dinner, dated 15 January 1973.
• Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to The Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall, to confirm acceptance of use of the Hall, dated 29 June 1973. Letter from the Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall, to Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to enclose the Company's account for the Dinner, dated 29 October 1973.
• Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to The Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall, to enclose the cheque for the Society's Dinner, dated 12 November 1973.
• Letter from the Clerk, Merchant Taylors' Hall, to Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to enclose the receipt for the cheque, dated 23 November 1973.

Correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning a reception to be hosted by them during the Sesquicentenary Symposium. These are:

• Letter from John Hansman, Appeal Organiser, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to inquire regarding the possibility of the Government's involvement in the Society's celebrations and to ask advice regarding a commemorative stamp, dated 28 August 1972.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to send a brochure concerning the Royal Asiatic Society and to ask for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to take part in their Sesquicentenary celebrations, dated 28 August 1972.
• Letter from John Hansman, Appeal Organiser, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to send a membership list to the Foreign Office, dated 4 September 1972.
• Letter from John Hansman, Appeal Organiser, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to reiterate the wish for the Foreign Office to be involved in the Sesquicentenary Celebrations, dated 3 October 1972.
• Draft letter from Royal Asiatic Society to Foreign Office giving details of the Symposium and the foreign scholars attending, undated
  *. Letter from John Hansman, Appeal Organiser, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to send list of the British and foreign scholars expected to attend the Symposium, dated 5 December 1972.
• Letter from G.R. Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to Dr Hansman, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that the question of the Office providing some kind of hospitality is currently being discussed, dated 13 December 1972.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to write about the Reception at which the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will be in attendance and that they will be asking the Duke of Edinburgh to be the Honorary President for the Symposium, dated 5 February 1973.
• Letter from John Hansman, Appeal Organiser, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to thank the Government for the hospitality they are willing to extend and to ask whether the Reception could be held at Lancaster House on 25 July, dated 20 March 1973.
• Letter from John Morgan, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to confirm that Sir Eric Norris has agreed to host the Reception on 25 July, dated 18 April 1973.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to John Morgan, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to thank him for the news that Sir Eric Norris will host the Reception, dated 30 April 1973.
• Letter from A.D.H. Bivar, Director, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Luckin, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to give the wording for the invitation of the Reception, dated 18 June 1973.
• Letter from Diana Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Murray, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to send a list of the guests, dated 6 July 1973. The list is with the letter.
• Letter from Diana Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Murray, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to send further details for the guest list, dated 6 July 1973.
• Letter from Professor E.H.S. Simmonds, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Sir Eric Norris, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to thank him for hosting the Reception, dated 2 August 1973.

Correspondence with Buckingham Palace. Correspondence between the Royal Asiatic Society and Commander W.B. Willett, Buckingham Palace, concerning the Duke of Edinburgh taking Presidency of the Symposium. These are:

• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society to Commander Willett, Buckingham Palace, to inquire whether the Duke of Edinburgh would accept the Presidency of the Symposium, undated.
• Letter from Commander Willett, Buckingham Palace, to B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to state that the Duke of Edinburgh would be delighted to accept the Presidency but would be unable to attend due to prior commitment, dated 15 May 1973.
• Letter from A.D.H. Bivar, Director of Royal Asiatic Society, to Commander Willett, Buckingham Palace, to send the Society's thanks for the Duke of Edinburgh accepting the Presidency and to inform of the reception at the Foreign Office on 25 July, dated 22 May 1973.
• Letter from Commander Willett, Buckingham Palace, to A.D.H. Bivar, Director of Royal Asiatic Society, to state that the Duke of Edinburgh will be unable to attend the reception, dated 29 May 1973.
• Letter from A.D.H. Bivar, Director of Royal Asiatic Society, to Commander Willett, Buckingham Palace, to send a draft welcoming statement for the approval of the Duke of Edinburgh, dated 2 July 1973.
• Letter from Commander Willett, Buckingham Palace, to A.D.H. Bivar, Director of Royal Asiatic Society, to send the welcome message from the Duke of Edinburgh. The message is with this letter. Dated 24 July 1973.
• Letter from A.D.H. Bivar, Director of Royal Asiatic Society, to Commander Willett, Buckingham Palace, to thank for the message from the Duke of Edinburgh and report on the warm reception it received, dated 2 August 1973.

Correspondence with Barnard & Crannis Ltd. regarding printing. These are:

• Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Barnard & Crannis to send particulars of the menu and a specimen copy of an earlier event menu. A copy of the particulars is with the letter, 4 pieces, dated 10 October 1973.
• Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Barnard & Crannis to return the proofs and give some amendments. Copies of the proofs are with the letter. 5 pieces, dated 17 October 1973.

Correspondence and notes regarding the legality of the intention to determine the Lease as the original Lease included that the contract could not be terminated unless Asprey's needed the premises for their own business. Letters primarily between the Royal Asiatic Society, their solicitors T.L. Wilson & Co., and Asprey's solicitors, Richardson, Sadlers and Callard.

Correspondence regarding the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. These are:

• Copies of emails between Adrian Thomas and Anthony Stockwell regarding the desire for the Society to send a message of condolence to the Queen upon the death of her mother. Computer printed, 1 piece, dated 13 April 2002
• Copy of a letter from Adrian Thomas, Secretary to Royal Asiatic Society, to the Private Secretary to Her Majesty the Queen to express the Society's deep sympathy to her and her family on the loss of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 April 2002
• Letter from Robin Jarvin, Private Secretary to the Queen to thank the Society for their words of comfort. Typed with Windsor Castle letterhead, dated April 2002.

Letters from T.Y. Lee, Bank of China, and [Puaee] A. Crosby to Silcock, to express their pleasure at being stewards for the Conversazione on the following Friday.

Correspondence and notes regarding the relinquishing of the premises at 22 Albemarle Street at the request of Asprey & Co. Ltd.

Correspondence concerning the Sesquicentenary Reception. This falls into 6 categories:

• Letter from Ralph Tubbs, tenant at 56 Queen Anne Street, to state that he and his staff will have vacated the premises by 5.30pm on date of the reception, 1 item.
• Correspondence with Press, 2 items.
• Correspondence with City Hall concerning the Reception, 3 items.
• Letters of acceptance to the Reception, 49 items.
• Letters of regret concerning the Reception, 17 items.
• Letters of thanks after the Reception, 2 items.