The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:          Essex Institute                          

Title:               Sample books (trade catalogs)

Dates:             ca.1770- 1838

Call No.:         Mic. 2016-2022

Acc. No.:         [none]

Quantity:        7 microfilm reels

Location:        microfilm cabinet

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

The Essex Institute now comprises part of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

A microfilm edition of English manufacturers’ trade catalogs (or sample books), ca. 1770-ca.1830, from the library of the Essex Institute.  Three of them have the manufacturer’s name attached; the majority do not.  Among the items offered for sale are stop cocks; kitchen ranges; tools; harness and carriage hardware; mathematical instruments; scale-beams; agricultural implements; coffin plates and handles; Sheffield plate and Britannia ware candlesticks, teapots and other table wares; gas and oil lighting fixtures; candlesticks, lamps and lanterns; brass furniture ornaments; bells; and other assorted metal objects, many for use around the home.

 

The last reel of film (Mic. 2022) contains auction catalogs from Boston and New York, 1818-1838.  They are not illustrated, but merely list the goods which were being offered.  Many hardware items are listed, as are buttons, ink powder, and an assortment of other goods, often imports from England.

 

The Henry N. Hooper & Co. lighting fixtures catalog is also available on Mic. 2458.

           

 

ORGANIZATION

 

The books/catalogs are grouped by type of goods sold.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Originals in the library of the Peabody Essex Museum.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

Topics:

            Agricultural implements - Catalogs.

            Auctions - Massachusetts - Boston.

            Auctions - New York (State) - New York.

            Bells - Catalogs.

            Britannia metal - Catalogs.

            Cabinet hardware - Catalogs.

            Hardware - Catalogs.

            House furnishings - Catalogs.

            Lighting - Catalogs.

            Mathematical instruments - Catalogs.

            Sheffield plate - Catalogs.

            Stoves - Catalogs.

            Tools - Catalogs.

            Trade catalogs.

            Auction catalogs.

 

Additional authors:

            Sharp, James.

            Slater, John.

            Henry N. Hooper & Company.

           

           

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: microfilm cabinet

 

Mic. 2016

 

Stop cocks sample books, London, 1794-1818? – 6  volumes

            v. 1 - Volume watermarked 1794 (15 frames);

            v. 2 - Volume watermarked 1800 (13 frames);

            v. 3 - Volume watermarked J. Corbett (9 frames);

            v. 4 - Book 22024, watermarked Evans (15 frames) - also contains pump valves, cup weights, bell weights, clock bells, mortars and pestles, house bells;

            v. 5 - Book 2334, July 19th, 1806 (32 frames)’

            v. 6 - Volume watermarked T.W. & B.B., 1818 (21 frames);

 

Slater’s Patent Steam Kitchen and Range (London? 1814).  John Slater, Patent Steam Kitchen manufacturers, etc., Birmingham; Thomas Wattleworth, agent to the patentee…, no. 64; Great Russel-Street, Bloomsbury Square, London (13 frames)

 

Tool sample books, n.p. 1799-1818? – 3 volumes

            v. 1 - Volume watermarked J. Holyoake, J. Corbett, 1799 (23 frames);

            v. 2 - Book no. 180G (18 frames);

            v. 3 - Book 1698, Carpenters, etc., tools (19 frames)

 

Household utensils sample books, Birmingham, 1798-1834? – 11 volumes (more on next reel)

            v. 1 - Book no. 107, S. & T.B. (watermarked 1798) (97 frames);

            v. 2 - Book 2110 (watermarked J. Corbett, J. Nind, 1799) (33 frames);

            v. 3 - Steel Toy Book no. 509 (34 frames) (note: “toy” means tool, not plaything);

            v. 4 - Book 2123 (watermarked J. Corbett, 1800) (30 frames);

            v. 5 - Book 2219, Book of Steel Toy [i.e. tool] Articles (72 frames);

            v. 6 - Book 2237 (watermarked J. Nind, 1802) (45 frames);

            v. 7 - Volume watermarked Smith & Ingle,1804 (38 frames);

            v. 8 - Ironmongrey book no. 501 (watermark S. & I.) (42 frames);

            v. 9 - Volume watermarked J. Budgen [or Budsen], 1818 (82 frames);

            v. 10 - I.F. No. 1454 [John Francis, Birmingham] (watermarked T.W. & V.V., 1820, J. Davis, 1833) (65 frames);

            v. 11 - L. & F. no. 1428 (126 frames)

            [more household utensil books on next reel]

 

 

Mic. 2017

           

Household utensils sample books, Birmingham, 1798-1834? – 2 volumes (more on previous reel)         

            v. 12 - I.F. no. 1656 (Jos. Tarrat & Sons, 1384) (117 frames)

            v. 13 – (21 frames)

 

Harness and carriage hardware sample books, Birmingham, 1794-1818? – 18 volumes

            v. 1 - Book 2127 (watermarked 1794) (58 frames);

            v. 2 - Book 2239 (watermarked J. Nind, 1796) (33 frames);

            v. 3 - (watermarked I.V., 1796) (24 frames);

            v. 4 – Brass Book 2160 (watermarked J. Holyoake, 1797) (29 frames);

            v. 5 - volume watermarked London 1801) (119 frames);

            v. 6 - Book 2246 (watermarked J. Corbett, 1802) (4 frames);

            v. 7 - Book 2246 (watermarked J. Corbett, 1802) (115 frames);

            v. 8 – volume watermarked Evans and Sons, 1803) (62 frames);

            v. 9 - Book 2142 (Sept. 7, 1805) (watermarked 1802) (14 frames);

            v. 10 - Book 2229, I. F. & Co., 1804 (watermarked B. 1795) (11 frames)

            v. 11 - Book 2639 (watermarked 1804) (37 frames);

            v. 12 - Book 2173 (watermarked R.V. Brooke, 1804);

            v. 13 – volume watermarked R. Brook, 1804) (43 frames);

            v. 14 - Book 1803, S. S. & Son (watermarked T.W. & B.B., 1815) (12 frames);

            v. 15 - Book 1766, I.S. & Son (watermarked 1816) (8 frames);

            v. 16 - Book 2105, I. S. & Son (watermarked T.W. & B.B., 1818) – includes cutlery and candle snuffers (80 frames);

            v. 17 – volume watermarked Evans & Sons, 1804) (30 frames);

            v. 18 – No. 2 (watermarked H.C.[?]) (27 frames)

 

 

Mic. 2018

 

Book 2103, A list of prices … of mathematical instruments (Birmingham, 1797) (6 frames)

 

I.F. no. 1469 [John Francis(?) of Birmingham), Sample book of scale-beams, etc.  No place, 1827? (watermarked A. Cowan & Son, 1827) (26 frames)

 

Sharp, James.  Description in French and English, with plates, of agricultural implements (London, 1777).  Anchors, shipwork, enginework, carriages, ploughs, grapnels, millwork, presswork, rollers, harrows, utensils in husbandry, etc., by James Sharp, no. 15, Leadenhall Street, London, or at his manufactory, no. 133, Teeley Street, Southwark, (26 frames)

 

Coffin plate and handles sample books – 2 volumes

            v. 1 – volume watermarked 1797; has actual metal samples inside front cover (26 frames);

            v. 2 – Book 2164, discount 20%, metal samples inside front cover, no place, no date (39 frames

 

Candlesticks, tea pots, and table wares made from Sheffield plate and Britannia ware sample books, includes snuffboxes, tongs, cruets, bowls, etc. (Sheffield, 1794-1819?) – 8 volumes

            v. 1 – Book of Plated Articles 2227, discount 15% (watermarked 1802) (88 frames);

            v. 2 – duplicate of vol. 8 and possibly not filmed (79 frames);

            v. 3 – Book no. 106 (watermarked Dixon & Smith, 1811) (46 frames);

            v. 4 – volume in poor condition, last few pages stuck together (41 frames);

            v. 5 – Samuel Bailey & Co., Sheffield, Card no. 10477, discount 20% (watermarked Whatman, 1819) (42 frames);

            v. 6 – [no description – not filmed?]

            v. 7 – 83 frames;

            v. 8 – volume watermarked 1800, duplicate of v. 2, except with a few extra pages (84 frames);

            v. 9 – Book 2101, discount 5% (paper from 5 different manufacturers, watermarks dated 1801 and 1804) (96 frames)

 

Britannia candlesticks, tea pots, tableware sample books – 4 volumes

            v. 1 – Britannia Metal Goods (36 frames);

            v. 2 – Britannia Metal Goods (40 frames);

            v. 3 – Book no. 179G (duplicates parts of volume 2) (37 frames);

            v. 4 – Book 2119 of Britannia Metal Articles (22 frames)

 

Henry N. Hooper & Co.  Sample book of Lamps, Candelabra and Lighting Fixtures for Gas and Oil.  Boston, 1858.  (64 frames; leaf 11 has an illustration removed and leaf 21 has been torn out)

 

Metal candlesticks, lamps, and lanterns, 1796-1815? – 9 volumes (split between Mic. 2018 and 2019)

            v. 1 – Book 2105, discount 5% (watermarked Evans & Sons 1803) (20 frames);

            v. 2 – Book 2254, discount 10% (watermarked Evans & Sons 1803) (30 frames);

            v. 3 – Book 22024, discount 10%, includes hand bells, club stick knobs, save-alls and shakers/casters (40 frames) (duplicate of v. 6);

            [continues on next reel]

 

 

Mic. 2019

 

Metal candlesticks, lamps, and lanterns, 1796-1815? – 9 volumes (split between Mic. 2018 and 2019) (continues from previous reel)

            v. 4 – J. S. & Son, book 1967, [1815], includes hand bells, club stick knobs, save-alls and shakers/casters, bells; some duplication with vol. 9 (36 frames);

            v. 5 – Book 2125, discount 5%, no place, no date, includes stop cocks and lock cocks (29 frames);

            v. 6 – Book 2334, July 19th 1806, disct. 15%, duplicate of volume 3 (40 frames);

            v. 7 – Book 2215, Nett. (watermarked I.V. 1796, 1802, and J. Hind 1802) (14 frames);

            v. 8 – no place, no date, has note by L. L. Thwing(?), 3-17-36 (76 frames);

            v. 9 – Box 128, 10 pr. ct., some duplication with volume 4 (45 frames)

 

Brass Ornaments for furniture.  Pattern-book.  (no place, 1770?), with inscriptions: “S. Curwen”; “sent to me in January 1774”; “Robert Peele his book 1802” (102 frames)

 

Bells sample book, Book 2222, London, 1797? (watermarked J. Corbet, 1797) (11 frames)

 

Domestic Hardware sample books, including door knockers, handles, hinges, caster, etc. (London, 1794-1819?) – 22 volumes on Mic. 2019-Mic. 2021)

            v. 1 – Book 22021, disct. 12 1/2% (watermarked 1797, 1802), includes commode handles, escutcheons, finger plates for doors (79 frames);

            v. 2 – volume watermarked 1778, some pages in poor condition, includes frames, borders, handles, cloak pins, watch catches, hinges, bell leaver, door spring, cupboard turns, trunk locks and handles, casters, pulleys, bolts, door latches, bell cranks, table bells, hat hooks, chimney hooks, padlocks, and door knockers (149 frames);

            v. 3 – Book 2225, Iron goods 5 per cent, Brass etc. nett. (watermarked 1799), includes sash fasteners, shutter handles and latches, handles, quadrants and catches, bolts, shutter bars, bell springs and levers, cranks, pulleys, hinges, door chains, padlocks, door latches, rollers and casters, door knockers (50 frames);

            v. 4 – Book 2269 (watermarked E. & P. 1799), includes picture frames, finger plates for doors, bell rings, escutcheons, knobs, handles, tapestry hooks, bed screw caps, cloak pins (49 frames);

            v. 5 – Book 2198, discount 17 1/2 % (watermarked 1800), includes nut crackers, fishing reels, nozzles and sockets for girandoles, wax taper stands, knobs, handles, escutcheons, hooks, rings, capitals and bases, pulleys, casters, sash fasteners, shutter latches and knobs, bolts, bell pulls and levers, name plates, chimney hooks, curtain hooks, fingerplates for doors, hinges, table catches, door knockers (79 frames)

            [continues on next reel]

 

 

 

Mic. 2020

 

Domestic Hardware sample books, including door knockers, handles, hinges, caster, etc. (London, 1794-1819?) – 22 volumes on Mic. 2019-Mic. 2021)

            v. 6 – Book 2211, discount 7 ½%, (watermark D. & S. 1800, Feb. 1806 on cover), includes hooks, cloak pins, knobs, picture rings, cupboard turns, chimney hooks, pendants, screws, bed caps, hinges, table fastenings, sash fastenings, casters and rollers, capitals and bases, clock balls, escutcheons, door handles, trunk locks, fire screen springs, pulleys, bell rings and cranks, table catches, quadrants and catches, bed screw caps, nozzles and sockets for girandoles, sconces, door knockers, ship door hooks, finger plates for doors, etc. (181 frames);

            v. 7 – “Robert Peele, his book, 1800,” (watermarked J. Holyoake), includes handles, cloak pins, hooks, escutcheons, table catches, chimney hooks, bolts, rings, bed screw caps, casters, hinges (32 frames);

            v. 8 – Brass Book no. 512, 22 ½ discount (watermarked J. Holyoake, 1800?), includes rings, hooks, cupboard turns and knobs, escutcheons, table catches, chimney hooks, bolts, handles, pulleys, etc.  (89 frames);

            v. 9 – R. B. Book 22353, disct. 25% (watermarked Smith & Inge(?) 1804l crowned oval, 1803), includes nut crackers, fishing reels, candelabra, knobs, handles, trunk locks, hinges, hooks, rings, cupboard turns, capitals and bases, pulleys, curtain rings and pins, rollers and casters, quadrant and catches, sash fasteners, bolts, bell levers, bell rings and pulls, names plates, chimney hooks, finger plates for doors, escutcheons, table catches, door knockers (102 frames);

            v. 10 – R.B. Book 22021, disct. 5%, 175 same, disct. 15% except pullies [sic] and bed castors nett. (watermarked Lloyd & Co., 1804), includes hooks, brass head nails, rings, bolts, handles, weavers’ mails, knobs, locks, gun rings, sash fasteners, bed pulls and cranks, door plates, pulleys, Venetian blind movements, casters, table fasteners, potable desk furniture, shutter knobs, caps and bases, finger plates for doors, trunk clips, trunk locks, nut crackers, umbrella furniture, ship hooks, cloak pins, door knockers, nozzles and sockets for girandoles, quadrants and catches, wax taper stands, bed screw caps, curtain rings and hooks (160 frames);

            v. 11 – 2211, 10 per cent (watermarked W. & T. Chandler, 1804), includes hooks, knobs, rings, cupboard turns, screws, bed screw caps, hinges, table fastenings, sash fastenings, casters, rollers, capitals and bases, clock ornaments, escutcheons, handles, trunk locks, bell levers, curtain hooks, chimney hooks, pulleys, bell rings, bolts, bell cranks and pulls, table catches, quadrants and catches, ornaments, nozzles and sockets for girandoles, finger plates for doors, door knockers, scones (182 frames);

            v. 12 – Cast Iron Book no. 516 (watermarked Finch), includes pulleys, brass head nails, sailors’ palms, hinges, shutter screws, door knockers with name plate, chain bolts, padlocks, latches, bolts, sash drops, casters, lock staples, bed screws, handles, hooks and eyes, cast iron kettles (59 frames);

            v. 13 - Brass Foundry, J. S.(?) & Son, Book 1385, off cast brass 20 p.ct. disct., off stamped brass 32 ½ disct. for prompt payment (watermarked J. Corbett, 1812, 1816, 1817), with index, numerous items (150 frames);

            [continues on next reel]

           

 

Mic. 2021

 

Domestic Hardware sample books, including door knockers, handles, hinges, caster, etc. (London, 1794-1819?) – 22 volumes on Mic. 2019-Mic. 2021)

            v. 14 – Brass Furniture, card 1660, J. S.(?) & Son, indexed.  Includes bed caps, buttons for doors, castors, escutcheons, screw eyes, ferrules for bed posts, glass screws, glass spire knobs, glass back plates and rings, gun rings and racks, handles, hooks, hinges, sash and spire knobs, lock screws, brass head nails, pendent rings, rollers for sashes, rack pulleys, turns for cupboards, vent plugs, etc. (40 frames);

            v. 15 – S. R. & Co., Book 1028, 1817 (watermarked 1815), indexed, numerous items (125 frames);

            v. 16 – S. & T., rec’d 9 mo. 2, 1819, Book 1368 (watermarked Corbett, 1812), indexed, numerous items (118 frames);

            v. 17 - S. & T., rec’d 9 mo. 2, 1819, Book 1366 (watermarked 1814), includes handles, cupboard turns, knobs, rings, hinges, bed post ferrules, bed screw cups, escutcheons, hooks, caster, chimney hooks (39 frames);

            v. 18 – J. S.(?) & Son, Book 2061 (watermarked Bevan, 1819), includes cornice and bed post ends, fire screen pole ornaments, centers for draperies, pianoforte rims, chair ornaments, ornaments for velvet bell straps, molding and bordering, bell pulls, finger plates for doors, sideboard rod and rails, brackets to support rods, rings, drawer knobs, brass balustrades, fire irons (67 frames);

            v. 19 – R.B., disct. 20%, 1810 (watermark 1800), includes nutcrackers, knobs, handles, pulleys, etc. (78 frames);

            v. 20 – Book no. 2010, net (watermarked Nind, 1808), includes tools for carvers, blacksmiths, and coopers (46 frames);

            v. 21 - Book 22023, disct. 5%, “Book of Steel Toy [i.e. tool] Articles” (watermarked J. Corbett, 1802), indexed, numerous items (72 frames);

            v. 22 – volume watermarked J. Corbett 1802; includes nippers, tongs, corkscrews, nutcrackers, vises, etc. (33 frames)

 

 

Mic. 2022

 

Hardware: miscellaneous catalogs of hardware sold at auction, 1818-1838, 12 items (numbered as volumes for convenience)

            v. 1 – Catalogue of the valuable stock of foreign and domestic hardware in store, No. 72 Kilby Street, to be sold at auction… Oct. 4, 1838, Whitwell & Seaver, auctioneers, Boston: John H. Eastburn, printer, 1838 (47 frames);

            v. 2 – Catalogue of hardware, cutlery, etc., in store No. 17, Dock Square, to be sold by public auction, on Friday, April 16, 1830… Warren, Barry & Park, auctioneers, Boston: Beals & Homer, printers, 1830 (17 frames);

            v. 3 – Catalogue of cutlery, hardware, and plated saddlery, to be sold by public auction… June 30 and July 1, 1828, at store No. 4, Dock Square, Boston… Coolidge, Poor & Head, auctioneers.  Boston: Beals, Homer & Co., printers, 1828 (28 frames);

            v. 4 - Catalogue of hardware, cutlery, saddlery, &c. for sale at auction by Ebenezer Irving, on Saturday, May 8, 1824, … No. 145, Pearl-street… New York: H. & J.G. Spear, printers, 1824 (18 frames);

            v. 5 – [Catalogue of hardware, etc.,] title page and first six pages are missing, so no place, no date (82 frames);

            v. 6 – Catalogue of assignee’s sale of hardware, to be sold by auction… July 2, 1828 … at no. 57, Water Street [Boston: Beals, Homer & Co., printers] (31 frames);

            v. 7 – Catalogue of hardware and cutlery, to be sold by auction on Wednesday, June 21, 1826… at store corner of Union and Ann Streets, Whitwell, Bond & Co., auctioneers.  Boston: printed at Ezra Lincoln’s office, 1826.  (20 frames);

            v. 8 – Catalogue of hardware, to be sold at auction, on Tuesday, July 14, 1818, at stores no. 24 & 25, State Street, T.K. Jones & Co., auctioneers.  [Boston:] printed by Russell & Gardiner, 1818 (34 frames);

            v. 9 – Catalogue of hardware, cutlery, saddlery, &c., for sale at auction by Ebenezer Irving, on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1824… no. 143 Pearl-street.  [New York:] H. Spear, printer, 1824 (44 frames);

            v. 10 - Catalogue of hardware, cutlery, saddlery, &c., for sale at auction by Ebenezer Irving, on Friday, Nov. 5, 1824… 145 Pearl-street.  [New York:] H. Spear, printer, 1824 (19 frames);

            v. 11 - Catalogue of hardware, cutlery, sadlery [sic], &c., for sale at auction by Ebenezer Irving, on Friday, Sept. 17, 1824… no. 145 Pearl-street.  [New York:] H. Spear, printer, 1824 (45 frames);

            v. 12 – Catalogue of cutlery and hardware, to be sold by public auction, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1834, at store No. 13 Liberty Square, Boston… [name cut out] Bond & Co., auctioneers.  Boston: printed by Munroe and Francis, 1834. (41 frames)