Unidad documental compuesta RAS COLL6/1/1/1 - Chinese Library

4 volumes and 1 folder

Printed and handwritten catalogues of the Society's Chinese Library, including:

• 'Catalogue of the Chinese Library of the Royal Asiatic Society' by the Rev. S. Kidd, Professor of Chinese Literature, University College, London, 1838. This contains both the Chinese books and manuscripts that belonged to the Society at that time. Printed with handwritten annotations, 58 pages. This is bound together with Henry F. Holt's catalogue published in 1889 (see below), with note on the flyleaf saying 'Bound, November 1930'. The Holt catalogue is also heavily annotated. This volume is kept in the Reading Room Office.

• ‘A Catalogue of the Chinese Manuscripts 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 two volumes are kept in the Reading Room Office.

• 'Mr Shelley Wang's Chinese Catalogue 1936', handwritten catalogue of the Society's Chinese Library complied by Professor Shelley Wang in 1936. This describes Chinese books, manuscripts and printed maps, as well as some Japanese material. The catalogue begins with a list of books marked not found by Shelly Wang, followed by an index listing the items (including those listed in the Holt catalogue) by romanised Chinese title in alphabetical order. The main portion of the catalogue lists items from No. 598, following Holt's numbering, to No. 669, although items after No. 649 are in a different hand and seem to be later additions. The volume is kept in the Reading Room Office. There are multiple inserts in the volume and these have been stored separately in an archival folder. The inserts are:

  • Letter from Shelly Wang to Colonel Hoysted, writing that he is glad the cataloguing work has now finished. He writes further about bringing a case of cards [to the Library?], and comments on the translation of ‘The Western Chamber’ which he had been asked to review. Handwritten, one letter, dated 25 January 1937

  • Letter from Colonel Hoysted to Professor Yetts, enclosing Wang’s letter and asking him to have a look at the completed catalogue. He further asks about the fee for a permanent membership of the Society that was offered to Wang and his advice on the review of ‘The Western Chamber’. Handwritten, one letter, dated 27 January 1937

  • Letter from Colonel Hoysted to Shelly Wang thanking for his work. He enquires the omission of book titles beginning with Y in his index. Typed, one letter, dated 20 March 1937

  • List of books transferred from the Chinese Library to Cupboard 4 Right. Handwritten, 2 pieces.

  • List of Chinese manuscript dictionaries. Handwritten, 1 piece.

  • Diagrams showing the arrangement of Chinese Library on the shelfs by index numbers, with missing books marked in red. Handwritten, 1 piece.

  • Note on item No 662, being four pictorial maps of Chinese Buddhist mountains, dating one of the maps to after about 1840 (now catalogued as Artwork 104). Typed, 1 piece.

  • Note giving suggestions on the Society’s Chinese Library, including trading duplicate copies, enlarging the Library and hiring an assistant librarian. Handwritten, 1 piece.

  • List of Chinese books not found. Handwritten, 1 piece.

  • Note containing some [ancient Chinese characters], annotated 'Wang Collection. Anglo Chinese College, [?]'. Handwritten, 1 piece.

  • A set of index cards for books beginning with the title 'Ta Ch’ing'

These items were first catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist. These were re-catalogued by James Liu, RAS Archivist, in March 2026.