The Winterthur Library

The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Skene family

Title: Bills

Dates: 1782-1833

Call No.: Col. 91

Acc. No.: 79x277 (Trex 8196), 79x278 (Trex 8197, 8198)

Quantity: 1 box, (275 items)

Location: 17 A 3

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

James Skene (1775-1864) and his wife Jane Forbes Skene (1787-1862) resided near Aberdeen, Scotland, on an estate called Rubislaw. Skene inherited the estate from his elder brother but only spent part of his time there since he traveled extensively and also lived on the European continent. From 1797 Skene was a lawyer. He was also active in literary and scientific societies and was a watercolorist. Skene and his wife befriended Sir Walter Scott and remained in close contact with him for many years.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection consists solely of bills, most of which were from firms located in Paris and Versailles, France, and Edinburgh, Scotland. Directed to both Mr. & Mrs. Skene, they offer a fine representation of goods bought by a wealthy family during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Such items as food, clothing, fabric, furniture, house furnishings, and products for the maintenance of a house are recorded . Bills for music, musical instruments, books, drawing materials, swords, jewelry, ceramics and pew rents are also included. Most of these bills are printed.

ORGANIZATION

The bills are arranged chronologically.

PROVENANCE

Purchased from Avis and Rockwell Gardiner.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Skene, James, 1775-1864.

Skene, Jane Forbes, 1787-1862.

Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832.

Topics:

Invoices - Scotland - Edinburgh.

Invoices - France - Paris.

Invoices - France - Versailles.

Finance, Personal.

Food prices.

Dwellings - Maintenance and repair.

Upper class - Social life and customs.

House furnishings - Scotland - Edinburgh.

House furnishings - France.

Pottery - Scotland - Edinburgh.

Textile fabrics - Scotland - Edinburgh.

Textile fabrics - France.

Clothing and dress.

Jewelry - Scotland - Edinburgh.

Furniture - Scotland - Edinburgh.

Furniture - France.

Musical instruments - Scotland - Edinburgh.

Musical instruments - France.

Rubislaw (Scotland) - Social life and customs.

Bills (financial).

Receipts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 17 A 3

Folder 1: miscellaneous bills, 1782-1822, not addressed to Skenes.

These bills are addressed to Miss Moir of Stonywood, James Thomson, and Capt. Ramsay. Some are from firms in Aberdeen.

Folder 2: bills to the Skenes, 1794-1833 (index to bills appended to finding aid)

Folder 3: bills to the Skenes, 1823-1833 (index to bills appended to finding aid)

Folder 4: French Bills to the Skenes, 1821-1828 (acc. 79x278.154-.235) (index to bills appended to finding aid)

Note: original bills are in French, translations are provided below.

.154 Billhead - Louis Lagarde et Cie (Fabric merchant and draper, wholesale and retail), Marseille, France. Cotton, silk and linen (Levantine, toile).

.155 Billhead - Dainval et Compie., Fabrique de Lyon, Lyon, France. (Merchant of fabrics, shawls, embroideries and accessories.) Shawls, cravettes of silk, figured satin, fichu of lace, cotton fabric (Brillante).

.156 Receipt - exchange of money, Geneva, Switzerland

.157 Billhead - Grande Hotel D'Espagne, Paris, France. Bottles of wine.

.158 Billhead - Oudot, Linger Du Roi, Paris, France (Merchant of linens, lingerie, fine fabrics - batiste, mousseline, lace and embroideries). Bonnet, turban and fabric to be made into robes dresses).

.159 Billhead - Melnotte (Shoemaker for ladies), Paris, France. Several pairs of shoes

.160 Billhead - Au Coq Honore, chez Alph. Giroux (Supplier of materials for all types of artists, paints, oils, pigments, watercolors, pastels; for engravers, designers, illustrators; brushes, easels; paper for artists, writers, music composers, for drafting, tracing, sketching: also desks, plaques, almanacs, visiting cards, playing cards, picture frames, Moroccan leathers and portfolios), Paris, France. One album in red Moroccan leather.

.161 Billhead - Mlles. Racquet (Lingerie merchant selling toiles, mousselines laces., etc.), Paris, France. Lingerie and accessories.

.162 Billhead - Royer, Au Croissant (Bootmaker), Paris, France. Three pairs of boots.

.163 Billhead - Scribe Bremard & Cie (Merchant of silk fabric, embroideries, ribbons, artificial flowers and fancy articles), Paris, France. Ties, etc.

.164 Billhead - Biscop (Merchant dealing in horses and carriage rentals, Paris, France). Rental of a carriage.

.165 Billhead – [André] Denevers (Merchant of feathers and artificial flowers), Rue Saint Denis, Paris. Artificial flower petals (roses, geranium).

.166 Billhead - A la Mere de Famille - De Bierne (Merchant of perfume, gloves, ribbons, thread and accessories of all kinds for the ladies toilette), Paris. Thread, ribbons, bag of mother-of-pearl and designs.

.167 Billhead - Felix, Hinoult (Tailor [at the Court of Saxe Cobourg], Rue de Richeliue, Paris. Two waistcoats, one piqué, one velour.

.168 Billhead - Pacini (Merchant and publisher of music; musical instruments sold and rented [harps, guitars, pianos], paper [ordinary and vellum], engraving and printing for composers, vocal and instrumental music, Works by Beethoven, Mozart, Rossini, list of operas available), Paris. Several pieces of music.

.169 Billhead - Hotel des Bains, Rue de I'Ecu, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France. Meals and wine.

.170 Billhead - Au Coq Honore chez Alph. Giroux et Cie (Paper merchant and seller of materials for painting, designing and framing. Gallery of objets d’art, paintings, miniatures, watercolors and engravings),, Paris. Writing paper, visiting cards, sealing wax.

.171 Billhead - Mme. Marechal-Candas (Ladies' hat designer), Paris. Hats of crepe, cloth of gold and cloth of silver, decorated with aigiettes, plumes; hoods of black velour; also includes 3 hats for children.

.172 Billhead - Alexis Beau et Cie [Au Pere de Famille] (Yarn-merchant for sewing, knitting, weaving, tatting, crotcheting, embroidering; cotton, silk, wool, angora, chenille, ribbons; special needles and pins for several uses; trimmings; material, handles and clasps for purses; linen and canvas for embroidering, etc.) Footstool designs, silk for embroidering and needles.

.173 Billhead - Melnotte (Shoemaker for ladies), Paris. Several pairs of shoes.

.174 Billhead - Mme. Irma (Corset seller), Paris. One large and three small corsets.

.175 Receipt - British Chapel, Versailles, France. Subscription for organ money. No date.

.176 Billhead - Mme. Marechal-Candas (Milliner), Paris. A hat made of Gros de Naples trimmed with pansies, a hat of white faille, 3 child's hats of ribbons.

.177 Billhead - Hotel des Iles Britanniques, Paris. Meals, wine, fruit, Citron (lemon water), maid service.

.178 Billhead - Oudot, Linger du Roi (Merchant of linens and lingerie and fine fabrics), Paris. Unbleached batiste and a robe.

.179 Receipt of bill for .178, no date

.180 Billhead - British Chapel, Versailles, France. Chapel rent.

.181 Billhead - Millescampe (Maison de Confiance), (Fabric merchant selling Rouenneris (coarse printed cotton), Toiles de Jouy, etc. percales, calicos, mousseline, laces, tulles, linens, organdy, cottons, Futaine (velveteen), molleton (melton), unbleached cotton, Percaline (cotton lining), Coutil (drill), canvas, table linens, knitted goods and silks). Flannel waistcoat, Lustrine, Gros de Naples, Barrege.

.182 Billhead - Oudot., Linger du Roi (Merchant of linens and lingerie), Paris. Cretonne and table linens.

.183 Billhead - Alexis Beau et Cie (Yarn merchant selling materials for sewing, knitting, weaving, crocheting, embroidering; cotton, wool, silk, angora, chenille; ribbons and special needles and pins and trimmings), Paris. Chenille, gold braid and ribbon.

.184 Billhead - Gide (Goldsmith, silversmith, clock merchant, jeweler; dealing in gold, silver, plate and vermeil objects, jewels, clocks made to order, sold and repaired; also old gold and

silver bought, sold and redeemed from the pawn broker), Paris. Spoons, forks, knives and a carving set.

.185 Receipt - Galignani's Messenger (Daily English newspaper), Paris. Payment for subscription from September to October 1827.

.186 Billhead - T. Fischer (Tailor), Versailles, France. Clothing for Mr. Skene and his son; trousers of cashmere., Circassian, waistcoats of velvet and silk, relining and repairing frockcoats.

.187 Billhead - Rouly (Wine Merchant), Versailles, France. Wines and brandies.

.188 Receipt - Galignani's Messenger, Paris. Payment for subscription from October to November 1821.

.189 Billhead - Frisard (Restaurant), Versailles, France. Meals and supplements, October to November 1827.

.190 Billhead - Delort (Bootmaker), Paris. Shoes and ankle boots.

.191 Billhead - Frisard (Restaurant), Versailles, France. Meals and cakes.

.192 Billhead - Jouvel (Glove maker), Versailles, France. Several pairs of gloves, in kidskin, glace leather for ladies and men.

.193 Billhead - Mlle. le Roy (Dressmaker and milliner), Paris. Letter soliciting business and bill for gowns-,and bonnets made, trimmed and delivered to Versailles.

.194 Billhead - Melnotte (Shoemaker for ladies), Paris. Ladies shoes

.195 Billhead - Frisard (Restaurant), Versailles, France, Meals from December 1827 to January 1828.

.196 Billhead - Cafe de la Maison Mre du Roi, De la Brousse., Chs (Caterer), Versailles, France. Two pails of ice.

.197 Billhead - Frisard (Restaurant) Versailles, France. Meals from January to February 1828, and for tea biscuits.

.198 Billhead - Frisard (Restaurant), Versailles. Meals from February to March 1828.

.199 Billhead Delort (Bootmaker)- Paris. Boot trees.

.200 Receipt Petites Affiches Anglaises [Supplement to the Messenger] (English language newspaper published in Paris and sent to other European countries. Last page of the newspaper to carry classified advertisements and notices.) Subscription from March to May 1828.

.201 Billhead - Letroteur-Favry (Lumber and charcoal merchants), Versailles. Firewood by the cord, the bundle and the load.

.202 Billhead - Frisard (Restaurant), Versailles. Meals and cakes from March to April 1828.

.203 Billhead - Duhamel (Grocer and confectioner), Versailles. Rum, Curacao., syrups, lemons, cinnamon, cloves.

.204 Billhead - Gand, Luthier (Maker and seller of musical instruments, especially strings), Versailles. Rental of a guitar.

.205 Receipt - The London and Paris Observer (English Journal published every Sunday). Subscription to the Journal from May to August 1828.

.206 Receipt - Galignani's Messenger (Daily English newspaper), Paris. Subscription from February to April 1828.

.207 Billhead - Emile Pfeiffer (Publisher and seller of music and piano manufacturer.) Sheet music.

.208 Billhead - de P. Simon Fils (Manufacturer and seller of paper, paint, and flocked paper, also contractor for painters and decorators), Paris. Several rolls of paper.

.209 Billhead - Parfait (Hairdresser), Versailles. Coiffures, different styles.

.210 Billhead - Jen. Lecocq Freres (Haberdasher), Versailles. Stockings and other articles.

.211 Billhead - Rouly (Wine merchant), Versailles. Wines and Cognac purchased from January to May 1828.

.212 Billhead - Frisard (Restaurant), Versailles. [Skene spelled Sequine.] Meals and cakes from April to May 1828.

.213 Billhead - Jouvel (Glove merchant), Versailles. Twelve pairs of glace kid gloves.

.214 Billhead - Mlle. Labbe (Merchants of hosiery and haberdashery), Versailles. Six pairs of white stockings and one pair of garters.

.215 Billhead - Jerome-Delahaye, et Cie. (Fabric merchant), Paris. Two footstools and fabric.

.216 Billhead - Chles Estienne-Destremat (Merchant of fabrics and trimmings, table linens, stocks and gloves), Versailles. Dress fabrics: satin, crepe lisse (silk & Cotton), silk and cotton tulle, mousseline, blanchete (wool for nightclothes), percaline (cotton for lining), toile Bretagne (bleached linen), dauphine (duvetyne), gros de Naples, blonde and canetille (decorative trimmings, pipings, fringe, ribbons, thread, gloves and black silk stockings.

.217 Billhead - Chamard (Bootmaker for men and women), Versailles. One pair of boots.

.218 Billbead - Mme. Marechal-Candas (Milliner), Paris. Hats for Madame Skene and a child.

.219 Billhead - Melnotte (Ladies Shoemaker), Paris. Shoes for a woman and a child, and polish.

.220 Receipt - No heading - Versailles. Service from January to June, 1828.

.221 Billhead - Me. Larochelle D’Ivernois (Milliner), Paris. Hats, turbans and bonnets elaborately decorated and trimmed.

.222 Billhead - Mme. Challiot (Children's couturier), Paris. Fitting, making and trimming clothing for a child.

.223 Billhead - Gagelin (Ancienne Maison) Versepuy (Fabric merchant), Paris. Fabrics: foulards and ribbed wool.

.224 Billhead - Mme. Challiot (Children's couturier), Paris. Fitting, making, padding, trimming clothing for a child.

.225 Billhead - Bigot (Box and packing case maker), Paris. Commission and custom duties for two cases, and oil cloth for another case.

.226 Billhead - Mme. Irma (Corset Maker), Paris. Two corsets.

.227 Billhead - Hotel des Iles Britanniques, Paris. Meals and wine from June 9 to 11, 1828.

.228 Billhead - Jouvel (Glove maker), Paris. Gloves for a child, a young lady and for Madame Skene.

.229 Billhead - Galignani's (Messenger) London Observer, Paris. Subscription to the Observer from December 1827 to March 1826.

.230 Billhead - Galignani's Messenger (English language newspaper.) Subscription to the paper from November 1827 to February 1828.

.231 Billhead - Galignani's (Messenger) London Observer, Paris. Subscription to the Observer from October 1827 to December 1827

.232 Billhead - Galignani's Messenger, Paris. Subscription to the newspaper from May to June 1828.

.233 Billhead - Rouly (Wine Merchant), Versailles. Billhead blank, on reverse is a wine list.

.234 Billhead - Renault (Luggage and packing case supplier, also packer and shipper through Customs), Paris. Rope and shipping to Customs. No date.

.235 Billhead - Gagelin (Ancienne Maison) Versepuy (Fabric Merchant), Paris. Mousseline, crepe, twill and foulard. No date.

Aberdeen Hotell .15

Aberdeen Journal .1-.2, .22, .24b

Aberdeen, Leith, Clyde Shipping Co. .139

Adelaide (shipe) .147

Alison, M. S. .86, .87

Anderson, Thos. .11

Bannerman, J. .23, .25

Bardel, Pre., et Cie. .163

Beau, Alexis, et Cie. .172, .183

Bigot .225

Biscop .164

Blackwood, T. & J. .98, .121

Blackwood, T. T. .102

Brecknell & Turner .75, .76

Brémard, Scribe, et Cie. .163

British Chapel, Versailles .175, .180

Brown, Banner & Co. .106, .116

Brown, Mrs. .66

Brown, William Henry .105

Bryden, John, & Sons .142

Carr, Mlle. .210, .214

Chailliot, Mme. .222, .224

Chalmers, Jas. .1-2, .22, .24b

Chamard .217

Connal & Son .125

Coulter, William .10

Craig, Alex., & Co. .78

Cruickshank, A., & Co. .54

Cruickshank, James .34, .46

Cuaig, Duncan M. .58, .72, .83

Dainval et Compn. .155

Davidson, Robt. .59

Day, Gall & Co. .68

DeBierne .166

DelaBrousse, Chs. .196

Delort .190, .199

Denevers, André .165

Dick, Peter .51

Dickie, H. D. .135

Dougald & Macleane .128

DuHamel .203

Durham, James, & Co. .144

Edinburgh Academy .77, .81

Edinburgh Advertiser .140

Estienne-Destremau, Chles. .216

Evans, J. & F., Cunningham & Evans .56

Felix, Hinoult .167

Forbes, Wm. .24a, .26-30

Frazer, Robt., & Co. .80

Frisard .189, .191, .195, .197-198, .202

Gagelin-Versepuy .223, .225

Galignani's Messenger .185, .188, .206, . 229-232

Gand .204

Gardner, James .48

Gibson, Archibald .19

Gide .184

Gilchrist & Co. .110

Gilchrist, Wm. .103

Giroux, Alph. et Cie. .160, .170

Grand Hotel d’Espagne .157

Gray, James .138, .149

Grieve & Scott .64, .117

Grieve, Robert .42

Guthrie, Ann .12

Heath, Ashness & Co. .57

Henderson, John .151

Henderson, Wm., & Sons .43

Hotel des Bains .169

Hotel des Iles Britanniques .177, .227

Houston, Robert .31-.33

Howell & James .99

Hunter & Co. .24a, .26-.30

Hunter, George, & Co. .63

Inglis, Geo. Jr. .137

Irma, Mme. .174, .226

Izett, Chalmers .8, .13, .16

Jameson, John & Co. .45, .70, .89, .94

Jérome-DelaHaye et Cie. .215

Johnston, Matthew .91

Jouvel .192, .213, .228

Kilpatrick, John .61, .79, .82, .109, .112

Labbé, Mlles. .214

LaGarde, Louis, et Cie. .154

LaRochelle d’Ivernois, Mme. .221

Lauder, John, & Co. .113

Laurie, Andrew, & Co. .65

Lawson, M. .36, .44

Lecocq, Jen., et Freres .210

Letroteur-Favry .201

Levy, P., & Co. .50, .53, .115

London and Edinburgh Shipping Co. .143

London and Paris Observer .205

London, Leith, Edinburgh & Glasgow Shipping Company .141

Mackay, P., & Cunningham, T. .122, .123

MacKinley, Archd. & John, & Son .90

Maréchal-Candas, Mme. .171, .176, .218

Marshall and Sons .55, .111

Marshall, Francis .132

Marshall, James .132

Marshall, Walter .132

McAlpin, William .146

McDermid, John .108, .123

McDonnell, (Miss) .103, .110

McGregor, Peter, & Co. .37, .101, .107

McLean, Charles & Co. .67, .97

McKenzie & Dallas .104, .114

Melnotte .159, .173, .219

Menzies, Thos. .21

Millescamps .181

Mitchell & Herriot .35, .38, .69

Moir, Miss .3-5

Muirhead, Claud .140

Newcastle Coal Yard .119

Nicholson & Hay .49, .84

North, Simpson & Graham .73

Oudot .158, .178-179, .182

Pacini .168

Parfait .209

Patison, William, & Son .96

Peddiel Peter .52

Petits Affiches Anglaises .200

Pfeiffer, Emile .207

Phin, Wm. .120

Plenderleath, Robt. .9, .18

Purdie, Robert .41, .95

Racquet, Mlles. .161

Ramsay, Capt. .6

Ramsay, Mrs. .7

Rankin, John, & Co. .136

Renault .234

Rennie & Allan .71

Richardson, R. & A. .47

Robb & Kidston .88

Robson & Hale .62

Romanes & Patterson .129

Royer .162

St. John's Chapel (Edinburgh) .150

Scott, Isaac .148

Scott, Morris .74, .93

Sheppard, James .60, .92

Shireff & Dudgeon .14

Shirrels , Andrew .3-5

Simon, P. Fils .208

Simpson, Geo. .31-33

Sinclair, John .40, .130

Skeen, Mr. .8

(see also Skene)

Skene, J. .142, .144, .147

Skene, James .17, .23, .25-30, .43, .45, .51, .58, .62-63, .68, .70-73, .75, .77- 78, .80, .81, .83-85, .106, .123, .133- 134, .138-140, .143, .145-146, .148, .151

Skene, Mlle. .224

Skene, Mr. .10, .13, .16, .19, .21, .37, .39, .50, .52-53, .58-59, .61, .64-65, .79, .82, .86-87, .89, .92-96, .108-109, .112, .117-119, .125-128, .141, .154, .157, .160, .162, .16 165, .167-168, .170, .175, .177, .180-181 .184-191, .195, .197-200, .202-206, .208, .211-212, .215, .217, .227, .229-232

Skene, Mrs. .18, .34-35, .37-38, .41-42, .44, .46, .48, .55, .67, .69, .88, .100-102, .104, .111, .113, .115, .120-121, .124, .130-131, .150, 158-159, .161, .166, .171-174, .176, .181-182, .192-194, .196, .207, .209, .212, .216, .218-223, .226, .235

(variant spellings on French bills: Squine, Sequine, Esquine)

Stewart, Chas. .143

Stevenson & Thomson .126

Thomson, Edward .152

Thomson, J. .24b

Thomson, James .1-2

Thomson, Mr. .20-22

Union Shipping Co. .21

Weddell, James .39, .127

Wild & Gelling .100

Willow-Bank Baking Co. .31-33

Whytock, Rich. & Co. .118, .145

Yule & Abernethy .85

Occupation index to acc. 79x278:

apothecary .48

artist .160

artist Supplier .160, .170

baker .31-33

blinds, venetian .142

bootmaker .47, .151

bootseller .59

box maker .225

brewer .51

broom seller .93

brush seller .74

carpet merchant .138

chandler .75-76

cheesemonger .45, .70, .89, .94

(see also grocer)

china and glass merchant .60, .92

clothier .58, .72, .83

collier .119

confectioner .39, .127, .203

designer .160

draper (linen) .9, .14, .18, .19, .96, .98, .104, .114, .121, .126,.154

drawing .160

dressmaker .100, .193, .222, .224

engraver .80, .160

engraving .168

framing .170

fruit merchant .128

furniture merchant .146

furrier .50, .53, .99, .115

glass manufacturer .105

glazier .71, .106, .116

glover .54, .56, .152

goldsmith .80, .184

glover .192, .213, .228

grocer .39, .43, .73, .89, .94, .127, .203

hairdresser .209

hatter .9, .13, .16, .35, .38, .56, .64, .69, .85, .117, .122

hosier .10, .34, .46, .54, .56, .85, .108, .123

hotel .157, .169, .177

iron manufacturer .138, .149

ironmonger .138, .149

insurance .135

jeweler .55, .111, .132, .133, .184

lace merchant .99, .104, .114

lamp maker .61, .82, .112

lamp manufacturer and merchant .136

lumber Merchant .201

mercer (silk) .98, .110, .120, .126

merchant .168

milliner .100, .171, .176, .193, .218, .221

music seller .41, .95, .168., .207

musical instrument maker .204, .207

musician .168

newspaper .20, .24b

painter .49, .84, .106, .116

painting .49, .84, .170

paper-hanging manufacturer .62

potter .105

printer .2, .22, .24, .68

publisher .168, .207

shipping .11

shoemaker .47, .151, .159, .162, .173, .190, .194, .199, .217, .219

silversmith .184

sketching - see drawing

slater .71

stationer .57

tailor .58, .72, .83, .152, .167, .186

textile manufacturer .37, .42, .101, .107, .145

textile merchant .41, 44, .67, .91, .97, .118, .124, .129, .130, .154, .155, .158, .163, .172, .178, .181-183, .215-2161 .223, .235

wallpaper manufacturer .208

weaving .172, .183

wine merchant .139