| Summary: |
This series covers all of Addis's adult life beginning in 1873 and continuing until 1944. Although it includes letters from friends in all walks of life it is those from banking colleagues that are among the most interesting. In his early years abroad particularly, Addis corresponded with other junior Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) members and while these letters do not say much about financial dealings they do record staff movements and other personal details. Another interesting group is the letters from friends Addis made in British diplomatic circles in Peking, who subsequently moved within China and who write not only of their own affairs and those of colleagues but also, sometimes, of Chinese politics.The letters include examples from every field in which Addis moved, from his early involvement in Peking social life and Shanghai local affairs to his London banking and committee work and, in his later years, his country house and garden. Some of the early ones are in reply to Addis's own in the letter books; many are brief, often only a few lines of acknowledgement and because of their slight nature the catalogue does not attempt to include the names of all correspondents. Letters from Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) staff have however been noted, together with any long or detailed item or significant letter from a public figure.
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