Correspondence, Printed Papers and Newspaper Cuttings Relating to the Persian Bank Mining Rights Corporation Ltd [‎253r] (547/586)

These papers, which are spread across two volumes, contain material relating to mines and mining rights in Persia, and more specifically to the affairs of the Persian Bank Mining Rights Corporation Limited, of which George Nathaniel Curzon was a director.

The first part (26 March 1890-27 March 1892) is mostly comprised of received correspondence regarding Curzon's appointment to the board of directors of the recently formed Persian Bank Mining Rights Corporation and the company's interests in mines and mining rights in Persia. Also included in this part are facsimiles of company correspondence and reports, forwarded to Curzon by the company's Secretary, Lewis Hamilton, concerning the company's affairs, with discussion of existing and potential mining sites in Persia. Notable correspondents in this part include Edward Albert Sassoon of David Sassoon and Company, as well as fellow board members and other representatives and associates of the Persian Bank Mining Rights Corporation such as Lewis Hamilton, Sir Lepel Henry Griffin, and Albert Houtum-Schindler.

The second part (1 July 1889-20 December 1892) consists of Curzon's own handwritten notes plus a selection of reports, printed papers, newspaper cuttings, and correspondence, not only on mining and mining rights in Persia, but also regarding the affairs of the Persian Bank Mining Rights Corporation. It includes a list of those mines that are privately-owned and those that have been given in lease by the Persian Government, as well as details of Persian mines that are at the disposal of the Imperial Bank of Persia. Papers directly relating to the Persian Bank Mining Rights Corporation include copies of a memorandum and articles of association, as well as circulars, balance sheets, and a copy of extensive correspondence between the company and Houtum-Schindler. Also included is a copy of the general report of another company, the Persian Road and Transport Company, dated March 1891.

Among the papers are four plans: three of the Elburz [Alborz] mountains (folios 33, 36 and 45) and one showing transport routes across Persia (folio 266).

The German language material consists of three book titles cited by Houtum-Schindler.

The papers in both volumes proceed in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio of volume one (ff 1-138) and terminates at the last folio of volume two (ff 139-276); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 1-276; these numbers are printed, and are not circled. The foliation sequence does not include either the front and back covers or the flyleaves of the volumes.