Four sheepskin-bound, pocket sized cashbooks spanning the years 1846 until 1872 which reveal the business activities of two generations of the Attlee family who successfully inherited, managed and expanded John Attlee’s Corn and Seed Merchants business which traded from the south side of Dorking High Street in Surrey. The business was established in 1788 by the corn merchant John Attlee, the great-grandfather of UK Prime Minister Clement Attlee, and continues in a slightly different form to this day.
The earliest volume dates between August 1846 and December 1847 - a period in which Richard Attlee (son of the founder, and grandfather to future prime minister Clement Attlee) was expanding operations significantly. His inscription sits to the top of the first leaf and subsequent leaves record the monthly prices of flour followed by customers and transactional details over c80 leaves to both verso and recto.
Volumes 2 and 3 span the years 1852 -1855, capturing a period when still under the reins of Richard the store is beginning to undergo some of big changes, marking its evolution from a localised family business into a modern commercial operation, taking full advantage of the industrial developments. Transactions to every leaf record local names and prices. Paper slips containing additional notes are held in with pins including an original receipt dated 1854, headed ‘Received from Richard Attlee, Dorking’ and made out to J. Frazer.
Volume 4 spans 1870 - 1872 following a generational shift which occurred in 1860, when Richard handed the reins over to his two sons, John and William Attlee. The cashbook titled in gilt, ‘J & W Attlee / Dorking’ reveals the rebranded business name; the exact name it carried for the next 160+ years. Cash received entries and totals fill the leaves; regular surnames include Ansells, Miller, Mrs Allen, Stilwells and transactions with the Soup Commtttee, Dorking Union and Lambert’s servants. Entries fill c40 leaves to versos and rectos throughout.
Together the volumes form an important historical record of agricultural commerce in mid Victorian society and the activities of John Attlee’s Corn and Seed Merchant’s at the height of Britain’s commercial preeminence.
PHYSICAL CONDITION: All 4 volumes very good. Upper board and preliminary leaves just cracking along spine of volume 1; spine panel worn revealing bindings on volumes 3 and 4 but holding very soundly; original clasps on 3 of the volumes; contents clean and unmarked.
