Guide to the
Asian Collections at the International Institute of Social History
Emile Schwidder & Eef Vermeij (eds)
Guide to the Asian Collections at the International Institute of Social History
Emile Schwidder Eef Vermeij (eds)
Guide to the Asian Collections at the International Institute of Social History
Stichting beheer IISG Amsterdam 2012
2012 Stichting beheer IISG,Amsterdam. Creative Commons License: The texts in this guide are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 license.This means, everyone is free to use, share, or remix the pages so licensed, under certain conditions. The conditions are: you must attribute the International Institute of Social History for the used material and mention the source url.You may not use it for commercial purposes.
Exceptions:All audiovisual material. Use is subjected to copyright law. Typesetting: EefVermeij All photos & illustrations from the Collections of IISH. Photos on front/backcover, page 6, 20, 94, 120, 92, 139, 185 by EefVermeij.
Coverphoto: Informal labour in the streets of Bangkok (2011).
Contents
- Introduction
- 7
Survey of the Asian archives and collections at the IISH
- 1. Persons
- 19
- 93
- 2. Organizations
3. Documentation Collections 4. Image and Sound Section Index
171 177 203
Office of the Socialist Party (Lahore, Pakistan)
GUIDE TO THE ASIAN COLLECTIONS AT THE IISH
/ 7
Introduction
Which Asian collections are at the International Institute of Social History (IISH) inAmsterdam?This guide offers a preliminary answer to that question. It presents a rough survey of all collections with a substantial Asian interest and aims to direct researchers toward historical material on Asia, both in ostensibly Asian collections and in many others. The present guide is by no means an exhaustive resource on the subject. Obtaining information concerning the holdings through the information service of the IISH therefore remains necessary.
A short history
At the beginning of the 1930s the political situation in Central and Eastern Europe was worsening. Hitler’s seizure of power and developments in the Soviet Union threatened people of all convictions within the labour movement, as well as their documentary collections.At the initiative of the Dutch professor of economic history N.W. Posthumus, who was dedicated to saving the endangered papers of the international labour and trade union movement,the IISH was founded inAmsterdam in 1935.Before the outbreak of World War II, the Institute rescued numerous collections from all over Europe and had them transported to the Netherlands.The most important collections acquired in the period 1935-40 were the archival legacy of Marx and Engels, the Bakunin manuscripts, and the records of the Spanish
INTrODUCTION
8 /
syndicalist trade union CNT and the anarchist organization FAI. Libraries and archives of Mensheviks and Social-Revolutionaries who had fled Russia were also brought to safety to Amsterdam.Shortly before the Nazis occupied the Netherlands in May 1940, a part of the most valuable archives, including the Marx and Engels papers, were brought to a subsidiary of the Institute in Oxford, Britain, for safekeeping. During the war, however, parts of the IISH holdings were confiscated and shipped to Germany to be used for a variety of purposes by the German bureaucracy. In 1946, most of this material was rediscovered and returned to Amsterdam. The return of papers located in the Soviet Zone of Europe was far more gradual and tedious: the archive of the Dutch Social Democratic Party (SDAP) was ultimately sent back from Poland in 1956-57. In 1991, following the failed coup in Moscow, other IISH materials proved to have been preserved for years in a separate archival institute in the Soviet capital.
After the Second World War and throughout the 1950s, IISH worked to reestablish order in the archive and library.After that period, IISH continued to pursue its rescue activities in Europe and it remained an indispensable repositoryforthearchivesandlibrariesofpersecutedpeopleandorganizations. Reflecting Asia’s enlarged role on the world stage, both economically and politically, IISH’s interest in saving material now extended beyond Europe.
In the 1980s, IISH staff sought a safe haven for the collections of Turkish political parties, trade unions, and individuals. Established in 1987, the IISH Turkey Section, has assembled an impressive collection. From 1995 on IISH extended its activities beyond the East ofTurkey to include Iran,the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Another example of the rescue operations run by IISH concerns the unique documentation on the Chinese democratic movement in the spring of 1989. Participants in the events in Beijing collected this material with the assistance of IISH staff on the spot. This Chinese People’s Movement Collection of pamphlets, posters, photographs, newspapers, and the like has found a refuge in Amsterdam.
In 1996, the IISH finally decided to foreground Asia in its activities and established an Asia Department. In addition to Southeast Asia (Indonesia) and East Asia (China) both longstanding interests of IISH South Asia was selected as an area of special interest. Since its founding the IISH Asia Department has already acquired several collections from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. From 1999 on IISH also developed a growing interest in documents on Burmese social history as well as current affairs. Since 2011 the Asia Department has been divided into two region desks with their own staff: South Asia (Ranchi, India) is concentrating on Bangladesh, Pakistan, Northeast India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and the Southeast Asia desk Bangkok) collects materials from Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia,
GUIDE TO THE ASIAN COLLECTIONS AT THE IISH
/ 9
Thailand Hong Kong and the Philippines.The regional desks are not active in the rest of Asia but are open to any offers from there. Other IISH region desks are on Africa (sub-Sahara), Eastern Europe and Russia, Latin America, Middle East and Central Asia.
Since the late 1970s, the Institute has worked within the framework of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.Its library,archives and other collections, however, are owned by the independent Foundation IISH.
The holdings
The IISH now holds over more than 3,000 archival collections, some 1 million printed volumes and about as many audio-visual items. The IISH collections on modern Asian history comprise archive, library, and audiovisual materials with a thematic emphasis on social, progressive, and emancipatory movements.
Most of the IISH material onAsia has not been collected intentionally,but came along with European, mainly Dutch collections.As a result Indonesia and the European vision on Asia dominate the documents.The archive of the Dutch international revolutionary Henk Sneevliet is a clear example. The unique collection of Japanese anarchistic and socialist magazines from the beginning of the 20th century is an interesting exception.The extensive archives of the international trade union and political organizations (like the International Confederation of FreeTrade Unions, ICFTU, and the Socialist International, SI) at the IISH were hardly unlocked on their Asian dimension.The present guide provides selected descriptions of these international collections. In recent years the Asia Department has been able to acquire many documents from both South- and Southeast Asia. Among these is a large collection of political and cultural periodicals in Bengali and English, covering the period since the 1940s. With regard to Indonesia personal collections, such as those of Poncke Princen, Suparna Sastradiredja, OeiTjoe Tat and Wim Wertheim, were acquired.Apart from the usual ways in which IISH collections are acquired,theAsia Department has been active in creating and preserving non-written sources, particularly audio and audiovisual ones. To this end, several oral history projects have been initiated.The interview projects on political exiles from Indonesia (In Search of SilencedVoices), the Naxalbari movement (a Maoist uprising in India) and progressive movements in Bangladesh are examples.Tape recordings of the interviews were delivered to the Image and Sound Department of the IISH.
The IISH building accommodates other documentary institutions as well. In addition to the IISH collections, users may consult the archives and the library of the Netherlands Economic History Archive (NEHA) and the Netherlands Press Museum, which have papers relating to Asia (mainly
INTrODUCTION
10 /
Indonesia). Their material is included in the IISH catalogue. Information about these collections appears in the “Gids van de collecties van het Nederlandsch Economisch-Historisch Archief” and the “Overzicht van de archieven van het Nederlands Persmuseum”.
The guide
The present guide is an up-date of the 2007 edition.This new volume differs in some respects from the 2007 guide. For this edition we have left out the overview of Asian periodicals and that of the Annual Reports of IISH and NEHA.The total number of collections listed in the Guide grew from 286 for the 3rd ed. to 366 for this 4th ed. (174 personal and 192 organizational collections)
The guide describes the IISH archives and collections (including NEHA and Press Museum (PM) collections on Asia) consisting entirely or partly of original documents.The descriptions summarize a selection of the most important documents relating toAsia found in the archives listed below.Each summary is preceded by a condensed biography or history.
Like the “Guide to the International Archives and Collections at the
IISH,Amsterdam” (edition 1999), the entries in this Asian guide are divided into two groups: the section on the archives and collections of individuals is followed by one on the organizations. Both groups have been arranged alphabetically and by number for easy reference.is followed by one on the organizations.Both groups have been arranged alphabetically and by number for easy reference. The components of each archival entry are: 1.
2.
Name. Names of persons include dates of birth and death when known. Access.As a rule consultation is not restricted; any restrictions are indicated by *.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Period. First and last date of the documents present in the archive. Size. In linear metres. Finding aid.Available inventories, lists and indexes. Biography/history. Summary. Contents of the archives relating to Asia. Weblink to the online description of the collection, incl. finding aids. (D) means the collection description is in Dutch.
For more up to date information on new acquisitions see also the homepages
of the different desks (http://socialhistory.org/en/regiondesks)
The IISH preserves an extensive collection of photographs, posters,
GUIDE TO THE ASIAN COLLECTIONS AT THE IISH
/ 11
cartoons, audio and videotapes, and the like.The guide briefly describes the holdings on Asia of the IISH Sound and Image Section and includes as well the Special Collections. For some Asian countries, the sections on each type of material include a brief thematic report and indicate the period concerned.
Access and consultation
Archival documents.
The archival and documentary collections at the IISH are in principle freely available for research purposes. Nevertheless, contacting the information service preceding a visit is advisable and is required for consultation of various archives to which access is limited. Donors and owners of material may impose restrictions for periods of various lengths,during which collections or parts of collections may not be accessed,copied,or published contigent upon their express permission. Restricted access to archives may also be necessary to protect the privacy of individuals or because of the physical condition of the material in question. Documents cannot be requested merely through reference to this guide. Most archives can be consulted with the help of a finding aid:a list or inventory, as indicated in the heading of each description in this guide. Inventories with code numbers are made of archives, which have been arranged and described in detail. Lists are compiled of almost all the other archival collections. The archives may be consulted in the IISH reading room. Requests for documents should include their inventory or list numbers.For further information about the rules for access and consultation, (including procedures for making photocopies) users should contact the information service of the IISH (see for details: http://socialhistory.org/en/
services).
Iconographical and audio-visual material.
Images of photographs and posters are available in a computer-based system in the Reading Room. Original material can be consulted at the Image and Sound Section after a previously made appointment.
Printed matter.
Printed publications (books, periodicals, and pamphlets) can be consulted freely through online catalogues in the Reading Room. For the consultation of microfilms and microfiches reading equipment is available. From Monday to Friday no requests will be handled after 4 pm.
INTrODUCTION
12 /
Contributors
Many of the summaries, biographies, and histories of the archives and documentation collections represent the descriptions previously published in “De Nederlandse archieven van het Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis te Amsterdam” edited by Mies Campfens and in “Guide to the InternationalArchives and Collections at the IISH,Amsterdam”by Jaap Haag and Atie van der Horst (eds).This 4th edition of the Asian guide has been compiled by EefVermeij,with help from Bouwe Hijma of theArchive Section as well as other Institute staff.
Emile Schwidder & EefVermeij Amsterdam, 2012
GUIDE TO THE ASIAN COLLECTIONS AT THE IISH
/ 13
Bibliography
Annual Report International Institute of Social History 2004. Boorsma, Peter and Jan Lucassen
- 1992
- Gids van de collecties van het Nederlandsch Economisch-
Historisch Archief te Amsterdam.Amsterdam: NEHA.
Campfens, Mies 1989 De Nederlandse archieven van het Internationaal Instituut voor
Sociale Geschiedenis te Amsterdam.Amsterdam: Stichting beheer IISG. 2nd Edition.
Haag, Jaap and Atie van der Horst (eds)
- 1999
- Guide to the International Archives and Collections at the IISH,
Amsterdam.Amsterdam: Stichting beheer IISG.
Hunink, Maria 1986 De papieren van de revolutie; Het Intenationaal Instituut voor
Sociale Geschiedenis, 1935-1947.Amsterdam: IISG.
Kleine Collectiegids Beeld en Geluid 1996
Lucassen, Jan
- 1989
- Tracing the Past; Collections and Research in Social and
Economic History:The International Institute of Social History, the Netherlands Economic History Archive and related Institutions.Amsterdam: Stichting beheer IISG.
Overzicht 1996 Overzicht van de archieven van het Nederlands Persmuseum.
Werkuitgave 3.Amsterdam: Stichting het Nederlands Persmuseum.
INTrODUCTION
14 /
Practical Information
Address
The Institute is located at Cruquiusweg 31, 1019 AT Amsterdam,The Netherlands, tel +31-20-6685866, fax +31-20-6654181.
Admission and opening hours
All visitors have free access to the Reading Room, the loan desk and catalogues on the second floor.Visitors who wish to use audio-visual equipment or personal computers and attached equipment have to submit a written request.The opening hours are from Monday till Friday from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m. For IISH visitors there is a freeWiFi connection available.
Public transport
ByTrain: Amsterdam Muiderpoort railway station (at 15 minutes walking distance). By Bus: from Central Station: bus 22 runs to busstopVeelaan (8x/hr); bus 48 (6x/hr) stops atVan Eesterenlaan, 5 mins. walking distance.; from Amstelstation: bus 65 stops next to the IISH building (7x/hr). ByTram: from Central Station: tram 26 runs 5-6 times an hour to Rietlandpark (5- 10 mins. walking distance); from Leidseplein:Tram 7 to Molukkenstraat (10 mins. walking distance);Tram 10 toVan Eesterenlaan (5 to 10 mins. walking distance); from Dam Square:Tram 14 to Javaplein (5 to 10 mins. walking distance)
GUIDE TO THE ASIAN COLLECTIONS AT THE IISH
/ 15
Copying facilities
In general, library and archive material, provided it is in good condition, may be photographed or scanned. For printing or scanning from microfilm / microfiche, equipment is available. For scanning, copying and printing equipment is available.
E-mail / Web
[email protected] (Secretariat), [email protected] (Asia Department), [email protected] (Reading Room), Enquiries on collections: http://www.socialhistory.org/en/contact
IISHWebsite: http://socialhistory.org
or the separate webpages for the Middle East & Central Asia desk (http://
socialhistor y . org/en/region-desks/meca) and Southeast Asia.desk (http:// socialhistor y . org/en/region-desks/south-east-asia-desk).
The South Asia desk will have its own webpage soon.
Contact persons
Prof.Willem van Schendel (South Asia), [email protected] Drs. Kathinka Sinha-Kerkhoff (South Asia), [email protected] Drs. Emile Schwidder (Southeast Asia/Indonesia-Malaysia), [email protected]
EefVermeij (Southeast Asia), [email protected] / [email protected]
Prof.Turaj Atabaki (Iran, Caucasus, Central Asia), [email protected]
Survey of the
Asian Archives and Collections at the
International Institute of Social History