Leases for 50 Great. Russell Street, 52 Upper Bedford Place, and 21 Bedford Square. 1909-47.
The RAI's offices and Library moved from 3 Hanover Square in 1908 to 50 Great Russell Street where it remained from 1909-24. From 1925-36 it was at 52 Upper Bedford Place and at 21 Bedford Square, 1937-71. The Library then moved to the Museum of Mankind (British Museum, Dept of Ethnography), 6 Burlington Gardens (where it was amalgamated with the Departmental Library in 1976) and the offices to 36 Craven Street. The latter then moved to 56 Queen Anne Street, and in 1988 to 50 Fitzroy Street of which it had acquired the freehold.
Abbreviations:
ABH Arthur B. Hayward, Architect and Surveyor, Adelphi Estate Office
H&M Hayward & Maynard [Arthur B. Hayward and D.C. Maynard], ARIB, Architects and Surveyors, Adelphi, WC
AK Sir Arthur Keith, FRS, FRCP (1866-1955), Master, Buckstone Brown Research Farm, Royal College of Surgeons; RAI President, 1913-16
RWW Robert Wood Williamson (1856-1932), author of The Mafulu Mountain peoples of New Guinea, 1912, The social and political systems of central Polynesia, 1924 etc. RAI Hon. Treasurer, 1912-20
1/ 50 Great Russell Street, 1909-21
1 Mrs C.B. Hayward and another to the RAI from 24 June 1909 for 21 years - offices on first floor dated 22 Sept. 1909 (autogr. annotations by RWW)
2 Memorandum and Articles of Association with certificate of exemption from rates, 11 Feb. 1910 - stamped Registry of Friendly Societies, Central Office and signed by the RAI President, Hon. Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer
3 Mrs C.B. Hayward and another to the RAI from 25 Mar. 1910 for 20 years and 3 months - lease of offices on second floor dated 12 Apr. 1910 (autogr. annotations by RWW)
4 H&M to RWW, 2 Feb. 1916 - on the RAI's decision to vacate the premises, offers to reduce the rent considerably (tp.)
5 RWW to H&M, 4 Feb. - draft reply; RAI has been offered a building with more convenient accommodation; an offer of a substantial reduction may induce Council to remain (autogr.)
6 H&M to RWW, 5 Feb. 1916 - A.B. Hayward (now in H.M. Forces) very anxious for the RAI to remain; suggests meeting to discuss details (tp.)
7 Ibid, 9 Feb. - offers to meet him in Witley, Surrey, RWW's home (tp.)
8 RWW to H&M, 12 Feb. - will be attending Council; suggests meeting in London (tpc.)
9 Ibid, 17 Feb. - sets out terms proposed at their meeting, matter discussed at Council; would like to have proposal in writing; asks him not to alter proposals as they face some disapproval (tpc.)
10 H&M to RWW, 21 Feb. - has met A.B. Maynard who is willing to agree to proposed terms (tp., with autogr. note by AK urging acceptance)
11 RWW to H&M, 24 Feb. - accepts terms on behalf of Council (tpc.)
12 H&M to RWW, 25 Feb. - acknowledges letter of 24 Feb.; is glad matter is settled (tp.)
13 E. & S. Smith, Auctioneers, Valuers, etc. to RWW, 17 Feb. 1919 - on rental value (tp., with autogr. annotation by RWW)
14 ABH, 10 Mar. - on revised rent following meeting with RWW (tp., with autogr. annotation by RWW)
15 Draft reply by RWW to ABH, 12 Mar. - asks for slight amendment to agreement (autogr.)
16 ABH to RWW, 13 Mar. - agrees to amendment. (autogr.)
17 Draft reply by RWW to ABH, 19 Mar. - on behalf of Council accepts agreement with amendment (autogr.)
18 ABH to RWW, 20 Mar. - acknowledges receipt of letter of 19 Mar. (autogr.)
19 RAI and Miss Lilian E. Elliott - tenancy agreement for a back room from 1 Oct. to 31 Dec. 1921 and on a monthly basis thereafter
2/ 52 Upper Bedford Place, 1924-6
1 Rate demands from Metropolitan Borough of Holborn due 6 Oct. to 11 Dec. 1924 - 2 claims (one revised) and receipt (3 items)
2 Consent to alterations, 31 Dec. 1924
3 Memorandum of agreement between RAI and the Eugenics Education Society, 12 Oct. 1925 - annual tenancy agreement for one room from 29 Sept. 1925 (tp.)
4 E.N. Fallaize, RAI Hon. Secretary to (Prof.) J.C. Flugel, 24 June 1926 - letter of agreement between RAI and the British Psychological Society on the use of the RAI lecture room and the care of the latter's library from 30 Sept. 1926 (tpc.)
3/ 21 Bedford Square, 1928-47
1 His Grace the Duke of Bedford, KG to the Incorporated Secretaries Association Ltd from midsummer day 1928 for 23 years, expires midsummer day 1951 (printed, annotated)
2 Extracts from lease of 21 Bedford Square, WC1, [7 Sept. 1928] (tp., annotated)
3 Licence as to user of premises, 8 Nov. 1928 (tp., annotated)
4 Incorporated Secretaries Association Ltd to Arthur William Kenyon and Stanley Gage Livock, 29 Sept. 1931 - [sub-] lease of cottage known as Secretaries House
5 Ibid - copy (tp., annotated)
6 Licence permitting sub-letting of building in the rear, 28 Sept. 1931 (tp., annotated)
7 Abstract of the title of the Incorporated Secretaries Assn Limited (in liquidation), Apr. 1937 (tp., annotated); additional clauses attached (autogr.)
8 The Liquidators of the Incorporated Secretaries Association and the RAI - enquiries arising on the draft for sale and purchase of 21 Bedford Square, 25 Sept. (printed and tp.)
9 Incorporated Secretaries Association in Liquidation and the RAI - requisitions on title, 27 Oct. (tp.)
10 Assignment of lease, 11 Nov. (tp.); receipt for registration attached
11 Notice of the assignment of the lease to the RAI, 16 Nov. 1937 (tp. attached to /10 above)
12 Ibid (tpc. copy)
13 Licence as to user of premises, 29 Nov. (tp.)
14 Licence to underlet two rooms on the second floor to the British Numismatic Society and the Royal Numismatic Society, 22 Apr. 1938 (tp.)
15 RAI to British Numismatic Society, 27 Apr. - counterpart lease (tp.)
16 Memorandum of tenancy agreement between the RAI and the British Numismatic Society (tpc. attached to /15 above)
17 RAI to Messrs A.W. Kenyon and S.G. Livock, 31 Oct. 1938 - counterpart lease of cottage for seven years (tp.)
18 Licence to underlet premises at rear [the cottage], to the Historical Association 2 July 1945 (tp.)
19 Memorandum and articles of association of the Historical Association (printed)
20 Licence to let two rooms on second floor to Norbert Dutton, Industrial Design Consultant, 29 Sept. 1945 (tp.)
21 RAI to the Historical Association, 20 Nov. 1945 - counterpart lease of cottage (tp.)
22 RAI and Norbert Dutton, 4 Dec. - lease of two rooms on second floor and Norbert Dutton to RAI, 24 Dec. - surrender of lease (tp.)
23 Licence to underlet two rooms on second floor to Messrs Snell & Partners, Quantity Surveyors, 11 Dec. 1947 (tp.)
