As well as various standing committees (see individual entries for Mechanics Committee, Polite Arts Committee, Agriculture Committee, Committee of Colonies and Trade and Chemistry Committee) the Society regularly set up ad-hoc committees to discuss a broad range of topics concerned with the programme and administration of the Society. These include the Committee of Correspondence and Papers and the Committee of Miscellaneous Matters\n\nRecords include minutes of the diverse committees and correspondence to the members of the committees. Correspondence in this section is mainly administrative or on topics which could not be covered by the main subject committees.
Includes name, address, amount of subscription, by whom proposed, when elected; in alphabetical order
Awards in Polite Arts were given in many categories. These prints, paintings, drawings and engravings have been arranged by subject of the artwork. This may not always be a clear reflection of the categories for which the drawings were initially submitted.\nThe series is arranged as follows:\n Ornamental designs, textile designs, flowers, drawings from nature: items 1 to 124\n Portraits, figures, drawings from life: items 130 to 409\n Landscapes: items 410-509\n Drawings of sculpture, classical scenes and figures: items 520-799\n Architectural designs, drawings, plans: items 800- 928\n Trial paintings (oil on board, canvas) 929-\nThese submissions have survived, although it is not clear how many other submissions there were in each category in each year. Although some of the designs and drawings (particularly in the first category) date from c. 1758, the majority of items are from the period c.1805 to 1830, with a small number later than this.\n\nA report by the Victoria and Albert Museum from the 1950s stated that the main interest of these drawings lies in the fact that they constitute a comprehensive collection covering an extended period.
List in folio number order compiled c.1790 giving names of correspondents and short detail of subject matter (obsolete following rebinding of Guard Books, 1999)
This series includes minutes and rough minutes of the various committees. These are bound by year in chronological order. Also included in this section are manuscript ledgers of premiums awarded and receipts for premiums. This series includes a complete set of the Transactions. Each volume is indexed and cumulative indexes also exist for certain periods.
Description of premiums offered in various classes.
1st volume - 1st 7 pages coming away from spine.
Records include minutes of the committee, correspondence about awards and attendance at and structure of committee. Additional correspondence to the committee is also included within the Guard Book series at PR/GE/110
From 1754, all administrative matters were discussed at general meetings of the Society. The Council was established in 1845 although Society minutes continue until 1924.\nSeries includes bound volumes of minutes of the Society (1754-1924) and of Council (1846 to date), general administrative correspondence to the Society and printed copies of charters and amendments, bye-laws and other rules and regulations
Signature book of original subscribers to the Society. Conserved with funds from the Barbra Whatmore Charitable Trust.\nIncludes name of subscriber and amount to be paid annually.
Financial administration of the Society has rested with various committees including Committees of , later as a Finance sub-committee, then a Finance and General Purposes Committee. The Society is a registered charity.\n\nRecords include minutes of the committees, various account books and ledgers, bills, receipts and invoices and general correspondence and papers
Awarded fourth prize in the Society's first competition for drawings by boys and girls under 14 years.\nBarbara Marsden went on to win a further three awards in 1756, 1757 and 1758. She later married Jeremiah Meyer, RA, miniature painter to King George III and Queen Charlotte
The original sequence of material and original folio numbers have been retained where possible and the contents are listed to item level. The letters cover the period 1754 to 1770 and are in approximate chronological order.The series has been placed in a general category as it covers a range of subjects.
The Society acquired or were presented ith drawings, etchings, engravings and prints which were not produced as a direct result of the Polite Arts premium scheme
Records include minutes of the committee, correspondence about awards and attendance at and structure of the Mechanics Committee. Additional correspondence to the committee is also included within the Guard Book series at PR/GE/110
Index compiled c.1790 giving names of correspondents and folio references to Guard Books (obsolete following rebinding of Guard Books, 1999)