Manuscript minute book of meetings of the directors of Huntley & Company, Lawrence Hill Railway Wharf, coal factors and builders merchants, with each entry signed by the chairman.

293pp., 4to. In brown leather half-binding, with black cloth boards and marbled endpapers. Three-page form relating to the firm's dealings with National Provincial Bank of England, filled-in and signed on behalf of the company by the secretary Henry A Burnell, dated July 1904. The minutes are in a number of different hands (beginning with Burnell's) and signed by a number of different chairmen. Each meeting begins with a list of those present (with female participation unusual for the period), followed by reports, proposals, resolutions, financial reviews, details of transfers of shares, and giving a vivid insight into the day to day running of a substantial and wide-ranging business (Bristol Record Office has five files of material relating to the firm), and the changes made to it over a turbulent period (including the First World War and beginning of the Depression). For example: '[3 May 1906] Chairman reported that the agreement with the R[ai]l[wa]y Co[mpan]y. for taking over Office Site & Wharfage ground at Monpelier Station, lately occupied by Messrs Andrew Knowles & Co, has been duly signed'; [30 August 1906] 'Chairman also reviewed the condition of the Coal Trade generally, in the matter of decreased Sales, which he considered was brought about, by the increased usage of Gas Stoves, by the Public, during the Summer Months in particular'; 'Miss Selina Huntley proposed & Mrs M. J. Huntley seconded that Messrs Wad, Hellyer & Co. be selected Auditors to the Coy for the ensuing year, at the Fee of £12 - 12 - 0 which was carried unanimously'; [10 October 1913] 'The Chairman reported that he has been in correspondence with Mr Stuart A. Curzon the Sole Agent of the London & General Omnibus Co. of 98/100 Victoria St, Westminster, London, who were disposing of their obsolete chassis, having decided to standardise the whole of their vehicles & that he had visited one of their garages with a view of selecting one, for the Removal Dept:'; '[19 September 1915] 'The period under review has been one of considerable strain (owing to the war) & causing a good deal of anxiety re Supplies, these having been curtailed very largely & enhanced prices over & above contracts being paid, in addition to buying in the open market in order to obtain Coal. We have notwithstanding sold in the Coal Dept a total of 16,158 Tons - 17.2 realising £16,455 - 4 - 8 1/2 as against 14,569 Tons - 0 - 1 @ £14,856 - 14 - 7 1/2 for last year. This somewhat by reason of fresh contracts made [...] There has been somewhat of a dearth in the property market, owing no doubt to the War & the dearth of House properties for the purpose of letting.'; '[12 September 1916] At the outset of the Financial Year under review, we were confronted with a series of problems as to how we should maintain our Sales in the Coal Dept by reason of supplies being curtailed & labour so very much depleted through the continuance of the war. We have often been obliged to wait for supplies & our trucks have been very seriously delayed on the Railways.'; '[26 October 1921] the coal stoppage, & so much general unemployment, [...] militated more or less against each department, but especially against the Coal Dept, as all ordinary Supplies were cut off for the whole of the 3 months, during which time, (it is obvious) business could not be done in the ordinary way'; '[9 April 1924] the Managing Director (Mr. W. J. Huntley) said he found it difficult to sell our goods to the Wholesale Houses, whilst we retained our Retail Weekly Dept.; but [...] the Retail Dept. over the period of the past six years has shown a reasonable average profit [...] The question of closing down our Removal Dept. was also considered'; '[15 October 1924] we were very much handicapped by short supplies from various sources, our wagons being held up at the collieries indefinitely'; '[24 November 1925] The 4 ton Sentinel Wagon [...] still remains idle'; '[2 February 1926] The Chairman reported that he saw an employee smoking in the back doorway of our Furnishing Dept. at West St., and he at once reprimanded the man.'; '[1 June 1926] The Chairman was authorised to buy one, two or three horses suitable for our coal work.'; '[27 September 1927] The great Coal Strike to which reference was made at our last meeting, continued through the first 4 months of the year now under review, whereby business was very much curtailed'; '[12 November 1929] The question of Christmas Boxes was discussed and it was unanimously agreed that they be paid as last year.'; '[8 July 1930] Mr. E. S. Huntley reported that a horse named "Bonnie" had been purchased from Mr. J. Doel for the sum of £52. 10. 0 less the value of a colt sold to him for £15. 0. 0.'