[Victorian domestic interiors.] Manuscript indenture: ‘Assignment of Furniture &c. in 15 Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park’ from James George Grieve to his wife Elizabeth Charlotte Grieve, with itemized ‘Schedule’.

An interesting slice of social history, casting light on the decor of a substantial London property owned by an affluent member of the middle classes. Neatly and closely written over 18pp, foolscap 8vo. On five bifoliums bound together with green ribbon. First page with red ten-shilling stamp. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice into the customary packet, endorsed crosswise on final page: ‘Dated 23rd. January 1894 / J. G. Grieve Esq / To / Mrs. E. C. Grieve / Assignment / of / Funiture &c. in 15 Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park. / Registered in the Bills of Sale Office of the Supreme Court of Judicature 25th. January 1894 / John Graham / 5 Victoria Sreet / Westminster’. Begins: ‘This Indenture made the Twenty third day of January One thousand eight hundred and ninety four Between James George Grieve of Fifteen Lancaster Gate East India Merchant of the one part and Elizabeth Charlotte Grieve of the same place wife of the said James George Grieve of the other part Witnesseth that in consideration of natural love and affection He the said James George Grieve as beneficial owner Doth hereby assign unto the said Elizabeth Charlotte Grieve her Executors administrators and Assigns All and singular the furniture chattels and things which now are in or about the house Fifteen Lancaster Gate aforesaid specially described in the Schedule hereto To hold the same Unto the said Elizabeth Charlotte Grieve her Executors administrators and assigns for her separate use In Witness whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.’ The ‘Schedule’ follows over seventeen pages, arranged room by room from ‘Top Floor, Left Front Room’ to ‘Scullery’, ‘Butlers Bedroom’, ‘Housekeepers Room’ and ‘Pantry’. As an indication of the detail, here is the contents of ‘Third Floor, Night Nursery’: ‘Linoleum as planned - Three bordered pile hearth rugs - Brass rail fender and set brass mounted fire implements - Two pairs blue and white figured cotton curtains and band holders - Two [?] blinds - White enamelled bedroom suite - Six foot six inches wardrobe - Three feet six inches marble top and tiled back washstand - Towel airer - Chamber pedestal - Three cane seat chairs - White and blue Minton’s China Queensland toilet set (ten pieces) Two glass water bottles and tumblers - Japanned Slop pail and cover - Wicker linen basket and cover - Chamber candlestick - Three feet Japannned Iron bedstead and woven wire spring - Wool mattress - Feather pillow - Two blankets - Wool work counterpane Two feet 6 inches child’s crib with brass knobs - Two feet four inches Ditto - Two straw palliases - Three wool mattresses - Feather pillow - Down Ditto - Four blankets - Two eider down quilts - Fourteen inches white and gilt china female figure - pair four [?] white china angels - Pair eight inches panneld china greyhounds and hares - pair handscreens - Bamboo bracket - Five and a half inches Yellow glass basket Six inches moulded open border Ditto’.