1 photo album marked 'Vol 2' containing 42 prints of alpine plants; 2 separate prints mounted on card (Cyclamen repandum and Primula reidii); and 3 RHS certificates dated 1947, 1959, and 1964

This collection consists of material created and gathered from the expeditions of F. Ludlow and G. Sherriff, thought their expeditions of Bhutan and Tibet during 1933-1949.

The collection consists of 5 sub-series: plant documents, expedition documents, diaries, correspondence and visual material.

[1] This series consists of a variety of material which includes plant and seed lists from their expedition with a large focus on Primula, Meconopsis and Rhododendrons, as well as publications gathered by Ludlow and Sherriff which cover their shared interest in the Himalayan region and it's flora and fauna. There is also a garden register donated by the Knox Finlay family detailing the progress of plants/seeds in their gardens acquired from various expeditions including Ludlow and Sherriff's between 1951-52.

[2] This series consists of a variety of expedition documents ranging from itineraries and maps to administration lists and passports.

[3] This series consists of originals and photocopies of the diaries of Sherriff and Ludlow during their expeditions.

[4] This series consists of a variety of correspondence from and to Sherriff and Ludlow over the course of their expeditions.

[5] This series consists of a variety of material including: photographic material, films and videos. Photographic material ranges from prints and negatives taken by Sherriff and Ludlow to prints of digital images taken as exhibition documentation in 2014. The films are..... There have been dvd surrogates made of the films to ensure continued accessibility.

8 glass lantern slides showing images of Meconopsis taken by Mrs Knox-Finlay at Keillour Lake, Keillour Castle:
Meconopsis
Meconopsis x musgravei
Meconopsis sherriff 600
Meconopsis grandis 600
Meconopsis grandis (true)
Meconopsis coxiana
Meconopsis betonicifolia praetensis
Meconopsis beamishii

Letter from George Forrest, Tsekou, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, M.D., 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, dated 13 July 1905.
Forrest writes to say he is pleased to learn that he has discovered one or two new species. Forrest describes where he collected new species of parnassia. He has just returned from a week in the valleys of the Mekong-Salween divide, with favourable results, although the higher peaks and passes were inaccessible owing to heavy snow. There were a surprising number of species in flower, some forcing their way through the snow. Forrest describes plants and habitats of meconopsis integrifolia, corydalis, rhododendrons, primulas and lilium: ‘If I am not the first to send home seed of this species [meconopsis integrifolia], I hope to be the first to send home photos of it taken in situ…’
Regarding the trouble with the lamas, Forrest states: ‘… we have had bad news this week again. The report is that the Chinese have been defeated once more but I cannot vouch for the truth of this.’ ... ‘I am now well on in my sixth hundred of species over six hundred sheets. Got a big rise last week. Three more species of orchidaceae.’
Forrest describes and sketches a peculiar kind of fern [p.12] and sketches a new primula with pendulous flowers [p.8].
Plants referenced: Aspideum; Fern; Fritillaria; Corydalis; Lilium; Meconopsis; Nephrodium; Orchidaceae; Parnassia; Pine; Primula; Prunus; Rhododendron; Saxifrage
Letter has been fire damaged with some loss, including text. The letter has also been damaged, presumably by a plant specimen inserted in the envelope.

Letter from George Forrest, The Consulate, Tengyueh, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 10 October 1905.
Forrest writes to inform Balfour that he will leave the next day for a journey up the Salween-Irrawaddy divide and will be out of communication for 6-8 weeks. He has engaged a collector with whom he has left some specimens as they are not yet dry. Forrest encloses ‘the scraps of plants I secured during my flight from Tsekou' and thanks Balfour for his gift of photo plates, paper and material but regrets that the plates and paper have been spoiled owing to the fault of the packer, Mr McBean; 'They were most carelessly packed. Firstly they were packed in a box loosely with seams all open. Then the plates and paper were merely placed in open tobacco tins and to crown all, four pounds of ordinary salt was placed on top. The box was simply dripping inside when it reached me.'
Forrest is sending seeds of meconopsis, corydalis and ?liquine; gives brief descriptions.
Plants referenced: Corydalis; Liquine?; Meconopsis
Letter has been damaged by fire with some loss of text; handle with care.

Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], to Professor Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, dated 27 March 1906.
Forrest writes expressing worry at a lack of communication from Balfour and hopes he has not offended him. Forrest thanks Balfour for the camera and all his kindness and encloses more photographs. Asks if the plants which he sent before leaving Tsekou [Cigu], and those collected during his escape from the lamas, have arrived. Asks that additional items be sent via Lao Kai, Tonkin, as there is parcel post between Tonkin and China, but not between Burma and China. Forrest has not heard from Mr Bulley for nearly 4 months and needs to know if his seeds have been of value before risking his life again.
Plants referenced: Meconopsis; Rhododendron
Letter has been badly fire damaged with some loss, including of text.

Letter from A. Cameron, The Co-operative Bees Ltd, Wapping Buildings, Cornhill, Liverpool, to Henry Hastings Esq., Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, dated 09 April 1906.
A. Cameron, the Manager at Bees Nursery, writes to regret that he is unable to supply so many of the items ordered as Bees Ltd. have been overwhelmed by the demands of collectors. He offers to establish a system of exchange with RBGE.
Plants referenced: Meconopsis; Primula
Letter has been fire damaged with some loss, including of text.

Copy letter from Isaac Bayley Balfour, Edinburgh, to A.K. Bulley, Ness, dated 20 August 1906.
Balfour writes to explain his reasons for rejecting a proposal by The Co-operative Bees Ltd. for a system of plant exchange. Balfour prefers that the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh be treated as a purchasing customer. He will send Meconopsis bella and Primula reidii once the former has flowered.
Plants referenced: Meconopsis; Primula
Letter fire damaged and paper is very brittle; handle with care.

This collection consists of material created and gathered from the expeditions of George Sherriff in Bhutan and Tibet during 1933-1949.

The collection consists of 5 sub-series: diaries, correspondence, expedition material, visual material, and plant collection documentation.

[1] Diaries: This series consists of the original diaries of George Sherriff during his expeditions.

[2] Correspondence: This series consists of a variety of correspondence from and to George Sherriff.

[3] Expedition Material: This series consists of a variety of expedition documents ranging from itineraries and maps to administration lists and passports.

[4] Visual Material: This series consists of a variety of material including: photographic material, films and videos. Photographic material ranges from prints and negatives taken by Sherriff and Ludlow to prints of digital images taken as exhibition documentation in 2014. The films are..... There have been dvd surrogates made of the films to ensure continued accessibility.

[5] Plant Collection Documentation: This series consists of a variety of material which includes plant and seed lists from their expedition with a large focus on Primula, Meconopsis and Rhododendrons, as well as publications gathered by Ludlow and Sherriff which cover their shared interest in the Himalayan region and it's flora and fauna. There is also a garden register donated by the Knox Finlay family detailing the progress of plants/seeds in their gardens acquired from various expeditions including Ludlow and Sherriff's between 1951-52.