In this paper, we revisit Russell-type modular equations, a collection of modular equations first studied systematically by R.~Russell in 1887. We give a proof of Russell's main theorem and indicate the relations between such equations and the constructions of Hilbert class fields of imaginary quadratic fields. Motivated by Russell's theorem, we state and prove its cubic analogue which allows us to construct Russell-type modular equations in the theory of signature~$3$.

For the $q$-series $\sum_{n=0}^\infty a^nq^{bn^2+cn}/(q)_n$ we construct a companion $q$-series such that the asymptotic expansions of their logarithms as $q\to 1^{\scriptscriptstyle -}$ differ only in the dominant few terms. The asymptotic expansion of their quotient then has a simple closed form; this gives rise to a new $q$-hypergeometric identity. We give an asymptotic expansion of a general class of $q$-series containing some of Ramanujan's mock theta functions and Selberg's identities.