"The Burma [Myanmar] collections consist of approximately 1000 manuscripts from Burma, mostly in Burmese or Pali written in Burmese script, but with a few in Shan, Karen, Kachin, Chin and Mon. The majority of the manuscripts are written on palm leaf, but there are also many paper folding books (parabaik), and texts written on materials such as gold, silver, copper and ivory sheets in the shape of palm leaves. The manuscript collection is particularly strong in historical, legal and grammatical texts and in illustrated materials. The John Murray collection includes several manuscripts from Arakan dating from the 1740s. The collection also includes about 15,000 printed books from Burma, including examples of early Burmese printing and many rare early editions. About 100 periodical titles are held. The printed collection is strongest in works published between 1870 and 1940. More recently a collection of books, serials and ephemera relating to the Pro-Democracy Movement in Burma has also been acquired (requests to use this restricted collection should be made in writing to the Curator)..."