Miscellaneous

This subcollection contains items that vary quite widely in nature. They can roughly be divided into three categories:

1. Imperial decrees, Hart’s reform papers to the Emperor, official documents and correspondence amongst higher rank officials covering the period 1885-1905 with bulk in 1900-1905. Texts in this category are in Chinese, mostly handwritten with blush and ink on rice paper and folded with a small portion of printed copy of articles using movable type printing. There is a total of some 20 papers covering 12 reform issues Sir Robert Hart put up to the Qing Government relating to land tax reform, strengthening Chinese military forces, unifying currency, revising trade tariffs, indemnity payment, reforming the educational and examination systems, improving postal services etc. Draft papers criticising Hart’s proposals, memorials of higher rank officials, printed extracts of Imperial orders, official documents and letters, government notices, etc. are also included in this category.

2. Personal reminiscence items including personal notebook, customized cards, examination certificates, school reports, manuscript, sonnets, poems, songs, lyrics, sheet music, play script, art bookmark, postcards, sketches, paintings, name cards, membership card, newspaper clippings, notes etc. between 1868 and 1935.

3. Commercial materials such as travel handbook, reports for shareholders, programme, promotional flyers, brochure, fundraising leaflet, cigarette card, advertisements, privilege tickets, restaurant menus, order forms, bills and receipts, etc. from 1876-1936.