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'File 9/2 Pearling' [101r] (201/312)
The record is made up of 1 file (154 folios). It was created in 15 Feb 1934-10 Oct 1949. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
P.G.
33890/47
Ext.1862/47
EXT.313/
BOARD OF TRADE
EXPORT PROMOTION - DEPARTMENT
35, OLD QUEEN STREET,
LONDON, S.W.l
31st January, 1948
Dear Mr. Harrison,
I am writing with reference to my letter of the 13th
December, 1947, Concerning possible alternative markets for
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
pearls now that the trade with India has ceased.
A reply has now been received from the Counsellor (Commercial)
at Washington in response to the enquiry in respect of market
possibilities in the United States of America.
The reply, which is enclosed, consists of the
following documents
(1) A statement showing the value of natural and
cultured pearls imported into the U.S.A. in 1946
from the different supplying countries;
(il) A memorandum prepared by the Consulate General
at New York together with a list of the principal
imnorters of natural pearls in that city and a
statement of the pearl trade by one of the leading
New York merchants, and
(ill) a memorandum prepared by the Consulate General
at San Francisco.
In a covering letter the Counsellor (Commercial) makes
the following remarks
It seems clear that practically the whole of pearl
buying for the United States of America is concentrated in New
York and that the rer-uirmment s for other parts of the country
are drawn from merchants in New York. You will see from New
York’s memorandum that the firms which still engage in the
natural pearl business and are interested in
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
pearls are having difficulty in connection with the drilling
and bleaching of pearls since the suspension of imports in I^di
Arrivals of both natural pearls and cultured! pearls
have progressively increased since the conclusion of hostili
ties.* It may be of interest to record that the United States
Commercial Company rece tly imported 13,767 strands of
cultured pearls from Japan and sold them by auction for a
total of £379,511. The consignment was sold in 34 cases on an
r, as is” basis and as the auction was conducted by sealed bids,
a reliable average value is difficult to establish; one case
containing 471 strands sold for £35,000 whereas two others
with 454 strands and 420 strands respectively fetched £ll,000
and 12,600.
The sale of natural pearls in this market might be
assisted by the reduction in Customs duty from 10 to 5 per cent
ad Valorem, which is to come into effect on January 1st, 1948.
The extent to which this reduction may effect sales is probably
limited, however, in view of the comparative price of natural
pearls.
It is hoped that the information furnished will be of use to
you. You will of course treat certain remarks with the
necessary reservations.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd.) A. Howard.
F.A.K. Harrison, Es^- .,
Commonwealth Relations Office,
Whitehall, S.W.l
About this item
- Content
The file contains correspondence exchanged between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain, the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the British Legation at Jedda, the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Sharjah, the Adviser to the Bahrain Government, the Ruler of Dubai and the Ruler of Qatar, on the subject of introducing mechanical methods for diving for pearls, and culturing pearls in Bahrain.
There is correspondence with the Adviser to the Bahrain Government and the Ruler of Bahrain, against the introduction of mechanical methods of diving suggested by the British, because it would spoil the market and the environment.
Other subjects in the file are:
- the export of oysters from Bahrain for research work and production of cultured pearls in Bahrain;
- the concession for the pearl diving activities on the coasts of Saudi Arabia, including the Red Sea;
- the Government of India's ban on the import of pearl and precious stones into India from July 1947,(which was later lifted for three months) and its impact on the Gulf pearling trade.
Some documents within the file are in Arabic, with English translation.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (154 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers in the file are arranged chronologically. There are file notes at the end, on folios 144-155. The notes are arranged chronologically and refer to documents within the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 156; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-143; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. They are located in the same position as the main sequence, except for some instances which are located on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. .
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/2/343
- Title
- 'File 9/2 Pearling'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:24v, 28r:33v, 35r:38v, 41r:48v, 50r:50v, 52r:53v, 57r:57v, 59r:63v, 65r:67v, 69r:73v, 75r:89v, 91r:107v, 109r:123v, 125r:155v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence