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The papers of Sir Legrand Jacob consist of a single item: a hardbound volume containing handwritten text. Inside is an incomplete English translation of a Persian work titled Aja'ib al‑Tabaqat (“Wonders of the Universe”), part of the medieval Islamic aja'ib genre. Texts in this genre explore the marvels of the world, often incorporating cosmographical themes—the word aja'ib itself meaning “marvellous, strange, or unusual.”

The 'Aja'ib al Tabaqat' includes a creation story, accounts of Islamic prophets and descriptions of various countries and cities. The original Persian manuscript was purchased by Sir Alexander Burnes in the Bazar of Bukhara 1832 and Sir Legrand's translation states that it was authored by Muhammad Tahir, son of Abul Qasim, in 1819.

Sir Legrand Jacob has omitted various sections in his translation, indicating where he has done so. At the beginning of the translation is a letter from him, dated 'Kutch, June 20 1853', stating that the text was not worth translating but he reluctantly complied to the request from the Oriental Translation Committee and translated it. This letter mentions Sir Gore Ouseley. The paste-downs of the volume include text in another language, and the volume also contains a pencil drawing of a temple titled 'A temple near […]'.

These papers consist of two manuscripts written by Gillett during his time as Consul in Kashgar. They are "Some Notes on the Blue Turkish Tongue" and "A Practical Introduction to Turki, Part I & Part II".

The archive consists of correspondence from William Jones to Samuel Davis, some correspondence from Joseph Banks and Lord Teignmouth with and regarding Lady Jones, various botanical sketches and notes and a Sale Catalogue for the books of William Jones' lLbrary.

The papers contain correspondence with Michael Willis, article written by Phelps and others; and other correspondence. These are all concerning excavations in Northern India particularly around relics concerned with the origins of Buddha.

The Gibb Memorial Trust was established in 1902 in memory of Elias John Wilkinson Gibb, a largely self-taught Arabic, Persian, and, above all, of Ottoman Turkish, died age 45 in 1901 and his mother established the Trust. These papers mainly cover the period 1927-1951 and consists of governance, finance and publication documents, produced mainly as a result of Charles Ambrose Storey's involvement as a Trustee of the Trust.

The papers consist of a letter from Thomas Andrew Lumisden Strange to Captain Henry Harkness, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to send an extract from a letter that he had received from his son, Thomas Lumisden Strange in Tellicherry, (Thalassery) India. Strange asks that the extract be brought before the Council of the Society, if Harkness deems it of sufficient importance. This letter is dated 9 February, 1837. The extract, dated 4 September 1836, is written in a different hand. It concerns the attempt by Francis Rawdon Chesney to find an overland route to India via the Euphrates. Thomas Lumisden Strange recommends that the route should continue to be explored despite the loss of life on the expedition, and believed that the Persian Sultan 'might be induced to farm to us this division of his dominions'.

Two articles and accompanying material sent by Thomas Hervey Baber to the Royal Asiatic Society. These are:

• 'Facsimiles of three Muhammedan Gold Coins, found on the Coast of Malabar' with associated material.
• 'Copy of a Translation in the Malayalam Arayam Character with an English translation.'

Correspondence and Papers written by Captain Thomas John Newbold between 1842 and 1849. The majority of the correspondence is from Newbold to Richard Clarke, the Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society. The Papers were mainly sent by Newbold to be read at the Society or published in its Journal.

The Papers include correspondence between Thomas Manning and his family, friends and some official correspondence ranging from his childhood, through Cambridge days, time in France, travels to China and India and his later life.These reflect both Manning's interests and the wide range of contacts that he cultivated.

There are also original notebooks and notes, some documenting his travels including his journey through Tibet; others reflecting his interests in mathematics, poetry & riddles and Catholic emancipation. There is also an early Manuscript for "The Journey of Thomas Manning to Lhasa".

Other highlights in the Collection include early English and European passports, calling cards, and later receipts

These Papers give an insight into this unique man formerly best known for his relationship with Charles Lamb. These Papers show that Manning was also a man of talent, charisma and determination in his study of China and the Chinese language.

The Papers of Thomas Manning were acquired by the Society in 2015 but before this acquisition the Society received enquiries as to where his Papers might be. Since the acquisition the papers have been the subject of both research and engagement. This is reflected in this subseries:

• Copy of a 'Report on the MSS etc. of T. Manning' by Edward B. Harris, dated 21 February 1900. This document lists papers in a box given to Harris on 31 January for his assessment. The copy of the list was provided by Mike Manning in 2016, 17 pieces.
• Script of Travellers' Tales, John Gielgud as Thomas Manning in 'A journey through Tibet, 1811-1812', first recorded 14 July 1966 and transmitted on 16 August 1966 on BBC Home Service. This copy was sent to the Society by Mike Manning in 2016, 10 pieces. A recording of the programme can be heard on our Digital Library: https://royalasiaticcollections.org/sir-john-gielgud-reading-thomas-mannings-narrative-of-his-travels-in-tibet/.
• Correspondence between Charles Bawden and Diana Crawford, Royal Asiatic Society Librarian, concerning the whereabouts of the papers of Thomas Manning. Typed and handwritten, 5 pieces, dated 7 September 1972 - 16 October 1972.
• Correspondence between Mary Bellhouse and the Royal Asiatic Society concerning material for her biography of Thomas Manning. Typed and handwritten, 14 pieces, dated 22 January 1997 - 23 March 2013.
• 'First Englishman in Lhasa: intimate letters reveal story of unsung explorer' by Jason Burke, published in Guardian online 13 October 2015. Downloaded article, 3 pieces.
• National Heritage Memorial Fund Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended March 2016, containing the article, 'The lost papers of Thomas Manning'. The NHMF provided significant funding for the purchase of the papers.
• The Times Literary Supplement, 29 April 2016, containing the article 'After the fashion of their country: Thomas Manning and the early British study of China' by Edward Weech, Royal Asiatic Society Librarian, and Nancy Charley, Royal Asiatic Society Archivist.
• China Daily, 2 August 2017, with the article 'Archive to shed light on Briton's Chinese adventure' by Cecily Liu concerning the acquisition of the Manning papers.
• 'Ancestry of Thomas Manning' - biographical details provided by Mike Manning. Typed, 2 pages, dated September 2017.
• Genealogical tree of the Manning family. Copy of a tree created by Deborah Manning.
• The Charles Lamb Society Programme 2017-18 detailing the talk 'travelling Romanticism: Thomas Manning in England, France and China' delivered by Edward Weech, Royal Asiatic Society Librarian on 14 October 2017 at the Society's premises.
• Copy of the article 'All the beauties of the Road: Thomas Manning's Romantic Visions, from the Lakes to Tibet, 1799-1812' by Edward Weech, published in The Charles Lamb Bulletin, Spring 2018.
• Programme for the Paris Symposium: Exiles, Emigrés and Expatriates in Romantic-Era paris and London, 12-13 April 2018 at which Edward Weech delivered the paper, 'Paris to a stranger is a desert full of knaves & whores - like London: Thomas Manning's Romantic Europe, 1802-1815'.
• Programme for The Friends of Coleridge Biennial Summer Conference, 6 - 9 August 2018 with abstract for the paper. 'Far beyond Coleridge or any man in the power of impressing: Thomas Manning and the Coleridge Circle', delivered by Edward Weech, Royal Asiatic Society Librarian.
• Lineage and Legacy: Thomas Manning and the Early British Study of China, 1800-1830' by Edward Weech, copy of the thesis submitted for the degree of PhD at the centre of Culture, Literary and Post-Colonial Studies, SOAS, University of London, 2020.
• Copy of 'Slow Boat to China' by Robert Bickers - a review of Chinese Dreams in Romantic England: The Life and Times of Thomas Manning by Edward Weech, Manchester University Press 2022. Review taken from Literary Review, March 2023.
• Publicity Posters for talks given by Edward Weech concerning Thomas Manning at the Institute of History and Philology Academia Sinica, Hunan university of Science and Technology, and Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong. Three pieces, dated 2023.