Lancashire Merchant’s Daybook inscribed JW (probably Joseph Walker of Manchester) 1826

A sturdy and handsome daybook which tells the story of the trading activities of a Lancashire merchant between the years 1824 – 1827. Packed full of hand written transactions, pricing and customer details pertaining to the provision of oats, barley, beans, salt etc in areas including Deansgate, Didsbury, Eccles, Salford, Bridgwater and Worsley. Todmorden and the Saddleworth Bank appear, both now in Lancashire, but could well have been in the Manchester catchment at the time of writing. Mention of Huddersfield inside the front cover appears to be merely a note about a stocking maker.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:Parchment bound boards in good condition, chipped and rubbed particularly to bottom edge. Some loosening to central gathering resulting in a portion of leaves protruding slightly from the fore edge of the text block. Hand written ‘1826 JW’ on front paste down, probably Joseph Walker of Manchester. To middle of paste down is a decorative label for Fletcher, Stationer, Printer, Pattern Card Maker...... Manchester. Relatively sound internally although lower half of leaves are loosened throughout and shaken. Leaves densely packed with handwriting in a contemporary cursive. Some browning and small tears throughout text block and to edges. An interesting hand stitched repair towards rear of text block. c.300 pages. Measuring 33cm x 11cm.