BeNHS Storage Room Papers

Content Description

Steel trunk 1 contains 33 issues of the Journal of Bengal Natural History Society (JBeNHS), some journal reprints and two other BeNHS bound publications. Total of 387 copies of the journal in trunk 1. Some JBeNHS reprints in the form of loose paper (413 copies of 43 reprints). Steel trunk 2 contains 35 issues of the Journal of Bengal Natural History Society (JBeNHS) and two other BeNHS bound publications in a steel trunk. Total of 898 copies of the journal and 413 copies of the other two publications in trunk 2. One wooden table of ~100 books and bound volumes including 30 bound volumes of JBeNHS publications. JBeNHS publications comprise of natural history articles across India with a special focus on northern Bengal, Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan. Journals also contain financial accounts of the society, list of members for each year, and letters to editor pertaining to functioning of the society. Journals have printed text, illustration plates, photograph plates (both black & white and colour).

Condition Description

Mostly stable. Copies either stitched or stapled. Some stapled copies have rust marks. Some copies have mold marks. Some bound volumes had active mold, which have now been dried and cleaned. No visible insect damage. One issue within a bound volume damaged likely by rodents, however it appears the damage happened prior to binding.

Accession Date

2025-04-08

Dispostion

On 08-Apr-2025 copies of all 33 bound BeNHS publications from trunk 1, totalling 44 copies, and 4 copies of the 2 bound publications retained for processing and moved to PNHZP library. One copy of each reprint also moved to PNHZP library; duplicate copies and all books retained at original location in trunk. On 11-Apr-2025 copies of all 35 bound BeNHS publications, totalling 53 copies and 1 copy of BeNHS prospectus retained for processing. On 14-Apr-2025 these were moved to PNHZP library along with 30 JBeNHS bound volumes. Duplicate copies and books retained at initial location, trunk 2 and table respectively, at PNHZP storage room. All the publications are rare, unique material for which digital copies are currently unavilable on the internet and very few physical copies are known outside this location. The journal records the natural history of a biodiversity rich landscape with unparalleled detail and authenticity. Unique copies going into collection AR-005 in the Archives at NCBS.

Acquisition Type

Loan

Provenance

The material has been at the Bengal Natural History Museum (BNHM) since publication. Material moved from older BNHM building to current campus in 2016/17. The material has been loaned to us (Nature Conservation Foundation for the PAST Project), for the duration of the project (01-Feb-2025 to 01-Feb-2026). Accessed by Nisha Bhakat and Bedan Chettri (librarian, PNHZP). Archiving and digitization will be done onsite within the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) premises.

Retention Rule

Key publications of the BeNHS for which we are creating this archive. It is a loan to the grantee; archiving and digitization will be done onsite within PNHZP premises. The material will become pat of the physical archive of BeNHS and will be housed at the Bengal Natural History Museum.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for access unless mentioned in specific folders of the finding aid.

Use Restrictions

Copyright may not have been assigned to Archives at NCBS. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). See access guidelines for more information (https://archives.ncbs.res.in/access). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material and material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.