Material concerned with the Asiatic Society (formerly Asiatic Society of Bengal) and their interaction with the Royal Asiatic Society.

A printed invitation/ admittance card to the Iran Day and a notification of the Iran day with reply form.

Two copies of the attendance form for the Japan Day. A further letter from A.R.C. Westlake to Diana Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to say how much he enjoyed the lecture and meeting the people from the Japan Society, dated 28 September 1973.

Attendance forms for Turkish day and correspondence regarding people attending. These are:

• Two versions of attendance form with reply slip, one for Professor Bernard Lewis and one for Dr Geoffrey Lewis lecturing, undated.
• Five letters from people wishing to attend the Turkish day, dated 20 March 1973 - 27 March 1973.
• Two letters from Diana Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Miss Murphy concerning the lecturer at the Turkish day, dated 29 March 1973 -13 April 1973.

In 1984, the Asiatic Society celebrated its bicentenary. This material is concerned with the celebrations held in both Britain and India. These are:

Letter from the Director, Royal Asiatic Society, to John Burton-Page to ask if he would be the Society's contact to 'celebrate Sir William Jones in 1984'. Typed, dated 8 May 1978.

Letter from Garland Cannon, Professor of Linguistics, Texas A&M University, to Joan C. Lancaster, Director, India Office Library and Records, to respond to her suggestion of a London site for an International Symposium on the Bicentenary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. With this letter are others of support to and from Allan H. Fry, American Society of Geolinguistics, and to Mr. Afgani, Cologne, Germany. All these letters are photocopies, dated 13 May - 30 May 1978.

Letter from E.V. Gibson, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Professor Ballhatchet to enclose literature for a possible symposium in 1984 for the bicentenary. Typed, dated 16 February 1982.

Correspondence between Dennis Duncanson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, and Barry C. Bloomfield, The British Library, concerning the possibility of an exhibition at the British Library and the offer of a paper from Garland Cannon. Two letters, dated 29 June-20 September 1982. With this correspondence are copies of the correspondence between Ray Desmond and Garfield Cannon concerning the paper, two letters, dated 30 August - 7 September 1982.

Correspondence between Dennis Duncanson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, and P.C. Gupta, President, Asiatic Society, concerning the celebrations planned in London and inviting members of the Asiatic Society to be part of them. Two letters, dated 11 -25 November 1982.

Note to the President, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform of a phone call from Mr Twite of the British Council concerning the Asiatic Society's intentions for celebrating their bicentenary. Typed, dated 14 December 1982.

Correspondence between the British Council, the Royal Asiatic Society and the Asiatic Society concerning the visit of Dr Chandan Roy Chaudhuri, General Secretary, Asiatic Society, to England and the chance for him to discuss the bicentenary celebrations. 3 letters and a reference, dated 28 July - 10 October 1983.

Letter from Satya S. Pachori, University of North Florida, to Dennis Duncanson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to inquire regarding the possibility of presenting a paper at any forthcoming celebration of the bicentenary of the Asiatic Society, dated 12 October 1983.

Letter from R.H. Robins, Honorary Secretary, The Philological Society, to the Royal Asiatic Society to inquire regarding their plans to celebrate William Jones in 1984 as the Philological Society were considering a celebration in 1986 of 200 years since Jones' 'famous address to the Asiatick Society in 1786', dated 17 October 1983. With the letter are cards for the Meetings and the Council of the Philological Society.

Letter from Dr Chandan Roy Chaudhuri, General Secretary, Asiatic Society, to Dennis Duncanson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to invite him to be present at their celebrations to be inaugurated by Smt. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, on 15 January 1984, dated 11 October 1983.

Correspondence between Tan Sri Dato' Mubin Sheppard, Honorary Secretary, Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, and Dennis Duncanson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, concerning the potential bicentenary celebrations of the Asiatic Society. Two letters, dated 10 -31 October 1983.

Letter from E.V. Gibson, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Fellows of the Society to inform them of the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Asiatic Society which the Royal Asiatic Society will hold on 12 January 1984. Dated 28 October 1983.

Letter from Dr Chandan Roy Chaudhuri, General Secretary, Asiatic Society, to the Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to give details of the bicentenary celebrations, to ask the presence of the Society and also requesting that the Society should celebrate the bicentenary. Dated 29 November 1983.

Letter from Hugh Cortazzi, British Embassy, Tokyo, to Dennis Duncanson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to send a letter of congratulations to the Asiatic Society from the Asiatic Society of Japan and to ask for him to forward it. The letter is with this one, both dated 2 December 1983.

Correspondence from Tan Sri Dato' Mubin Sheppard, Honorary Secretary, Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, to Dennis Duncanson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, concerning a representative from the Malaysian Branch at the bicentenary celebrations of the Asiatic Society. Two letters, dated 4-23 December 1983.

Letter of congratulations from the Council and Fellows of the Royal Asiatic Society to the Council and Fellows of the Asiatic Society which is to be sent by the hand of Sir Cyril Philips, Vice-President of the Royal Asiatic Society. Undated.

Letter from the President, Royal Asiatic Society to Dr Chandan Roy Chaudhuri, General Secretary, Asiatic Society, to express the Society's gratification at the news brought back by Sir Cyril Philips concerning the Asiatic Society, particularly concerning its future. Dated 23 March 1984

"Rediscovery of our Heritage (The Inaugural Speech at the Bi-Centenary Celebrations of the Asiatic Society at Calcutta on 11th January 1984), Indira Gandhi", printed pamphlet containing the speech.

"The British Library Exhibition Notes: Sir William Jones and the Asiatic Society of Bengal". Printed exhibition leaflet held from 20 January - 29 April 1984 at the British Library, 3 copies.

Newspaper article "Letter from Calcutta" with section entitled, "Society in Distress" concerning the financial predicament of the Asiatic Society as it approaches its 200th anniversary. From The Illustrated Weekly of India, 6 February 1983.

Photocopy of a newspaper article, "Asiatic Society on verge of closure" regarding the state of the Asiatic Society. From Calcutta, The Telegraph, 14 March 1983.

Correspondence with book sellers concerning the possibility of them putting on a display to highlight the Royal Asiatic Society's sesquicentenary. These are:

• Draft letter from Royal Asiatic Society to booksellers explaining about the anniversary and asking about the possibility of them mounting a display of books in conjunction with this, dated 21 April 1971.
• Letter from Peter R. Basdeo, Kegan Paul, Trench Trubner & Co., to B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that they were willing to put on a display but could they be reminded nearer the time, dated 23 April 1971.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to A. Aris, Kegan Paul, Trench Trubner & Co., to ask if the company was still willing to host a display, then would they please contact him, dated 25 January 1973.
• Letter from Clifford Maggs, Maggs Bros. Ltd., to B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to suggest they might do an Asiatic catalogue and include a leaflet about the Royal Asiatic Society, dated 2 May 1971.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Clifford Maggs, Maggs Bros. Ltd., to ask if the company were still willing to help, dated 25 January 1973.

Material concerned with the British Institute (of Archaeology) at Ankara and its interaction with the Royal Asiatic Society. These are:

• Note from the December Council Meeting 1986 concerning representatives from the Royal Asiatic Society on the Board of the British School of Archaeology at Ankara. The first representative was Sir Gerard Clauson, followed by Susan Skilliter. On her death Godfrey Goodwin has offered to serve in that capacity. Handwritten, undated. With the note is a copy of a letter from Godfrey Goodwin to inform that he is willing to serve. Handwritten, dated 19 July 1986.
• Letter from Dr Stephen Hill, Honorary Secretary, British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara, to Lydia Collins, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform her that at the meeting of the Institute's Council of Management, proposals for management restructuring were provisionally agreed. He informs that this change will be brought before members at the next Annual General meeting. Typed, undated. On this letter is a handwritten note concerning the change in Charity legislation and how this may affect the Society's representation on the Governing Body of SOAS. Dated 9 May 1994. With the letter are 4 pages on the restructuring of the Council of Management.
• Note from Dennis Duncanson to Dr MacDowall that he disagrees that the legislative change will affect the Society's involvement with SOAS. Handwritten, dated 10 May 1994.
• Letter from Peter Lawrence, British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara, to Mr MacDowall to thank for his letter explaining how the Society is restructuring its Council and how members may be able to receive Society funds. He writes concerning discussions between the Institute and the Charity Commission. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 30 November 1994.

Correspondence concerning the possibility of holding an exhibition ad the British Museum in connection with the Royal Asiatic Society sesquicentenary. These are:

• Letter from Ken Gardner, British Museum, to B.W. Robinson to express his warm welcome to the proposition of holding an exhibition and to give some suggestions, dated 28 September 1970.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to K.B. Gardner, British Museum, to ask for more details and dates of the potential exhibition, dated 25 November 1971.
• Letter from Ken Gardner, British Museum, to B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that Martin Lings will be in contact regarding an exhibition in the Department of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts, dated 2 December 1971.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Martin Lings, British Museum, to ask whether a date had been fixed for the exhibition so it can be included in the Society's programme, dated 22 September 1972.
• Letter from G.E. Marrison, British Museum, to B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to suggest that they meet to discuss a way forward, dated 10 October 1972.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to G.E. Marrison, British Museum, to arrange a date to meet, dated 17 October 1972.

Correspondence with Buckingham Palace concerning the Prince of Wales' attendance. These are:

• Letter from President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to invite the Prince of Wales to the Sesquicentenary Dinner, dated 10 July 1972.
• Letter from Buckingham Palace to Mr B.W. Robinson to thank for invite but to suggest that the invite is extended nearer the time, dated 24 July 1972.
• Letter from President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to confirm the date of the Sesquicentenary Dinner and to ask whether the Prince of Wales would become a Vice-Patron, undated.
• Letter from President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to again invite the Prince of Wales to the Sesquicentenary Dinner, and to enclose a copy of the speech made by the then Prince Of Wales at the Society's Centenary in 1923, undated.
• Letter from Buckingham Palace to Professor Simmonds, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that regretfully the Prince of Wales will be unable to attend the Dinner due to naval commitments, dated 29 June 1973.
• Letter from President, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to convey their understanding but disappointment that the Prince of Wales will be unable to attend the Sesquicentenary Dinner, dated 12 July 1973.

Correspondence concerning the attendance of the Queen at the Royal Asiatic Society's Sesquicentenary celebrations. These are: Letter from Lord Scarbrough to Professor C.F. Beckingham concerning the possibility of the Queen attending an event for the Society's Sesquicentenary, typed, dated 13 December 1968. Letter to Mr B.W. Robinson concerning the wording of an invitation to the Queen for the Sesquicentenary, typed, dated 10 July 1970. On reverse is a handwritten draft of the invitation. Letter from Buckingham Palace to state that it was too early to assess whether the Queen would be able to preside over the Society's Sesquicentenary dinner and for the Society to contact again in 1972, typed with printed letterhead, dated 14 July 1970. Letter from B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to request the Queen's presence at a Reception on 15 March 1973, typed, dated 18 February 1972. Letter from Buckingham Palace to Mr B.W. Robinson to state that the Queen's 1973 programme will be decided at the end of the year when the invitation will be brought to her attention, typed with printed letterhead, dated 22 February 1972. Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to acknowledge receipt of letter of 22 February, typed, dated 23 February 1972. Letter to Buckingham Palace to state that the date of the Reception is not fixed and the Society plans to mount a small exhibition of the Society's collections on the occasion, typed, dated 5 December 1972. Letter from Buckingham Palace to Mr Robinson, Royal Asiatic Society, to confirm the date of Monday 19 February for the Reception, typed with printed letterhead, dated 18 December 1972. Letter from Royal Asiatic Society to Buckingham Palace replying to one of 18th December and to state the Society's delight that the Duke of Edinburgh will accompany the Queen, typed, undated. Letter from B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to Mr Moore, Sandringham, to ask advise concerning the programme, typed, dated 8 January 1973. Letter from B.W. Robinson, President of Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to ask further advise concerning the Reception, typed, undated. Letter from Sandringham to B.W. Robinson to answer his question regarding the Reception, typed with printed letterhead, dated 10 January 1973. Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to enclose a draft timetable, typed, dated 29 January 1973. Letter from Buckingham Palace to Miss Crawford, Secretary of Royal Asiatic Society, to state that the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have given their approval to the draft timetable, and asking for a detailed programme to now be sent, typed with printed letterhead, dated 2 February 1973. Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to enclose a detailed programme, typed, dated 6 February 1973. Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to enclose the biographical details that had been requested, typed, dated 9 February 1973. Letter from Buckingham Palace to Miss Crawford, Secretary of Royal Asiatic Society, to confirm the Press arrangements for the Reception, typed with printed letterhead, dated 13 February 1973. Letter from Buckingham Palace to Mr B.W. Robinson President of Royal Asiatic Society, to thank the Society on behalf of the Queen for their enjoyable visit, typed with printed letterhead, dated 20 February 1973. Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to enclose a photograph of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for them to sign, typed, dated 2 May 1973. Letter from Buckingham Palace to Miss Crawford, Secretary of Royal Asiatic Society, to return the signed photograph, typed with printed letterhead, dated 9 May 1973. Letter from Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Buckingham Palace to thank for the photographs, typed, dated 18 May 1973.