An archive representing his bookselling activities (first year of business) in 1951.

The archive comprises c. 150 items, the vast majority letters but also postcards, and manuscript and typewritten lists, some substantial, usually of Kiplingiana. [One in Pettigrew's hand, returned by Rota, has individual suggestions of prices attached and the final price offered by Pettigrew.] The letters are either manuscript or typewritten, in various formats, and mainly 1 or 2 pages. The archive breaks down into three sections: letters from booksellers (two from auctioneers); letters from collectors/bookbuyers; and personal/business papers. His specialist interest in Kipling is dominant but his range included military history, botany, Trollope, shooting and fishing, general fiction, and heraldry - some interests perhaps a result of customers naming their wants. The booksellers (auctioneers) include: Margie Cohn of House of Books (NY); Arthur Swann of Parke-Bernet (NY); Richard S. Wormser (NY); F. Algar (Ilford); Harry Amson (Liverpool); Dipsas Booksellers Ltd (Littlehampton); Dobell's Antiquarian Bookstore (Tunbridge Wells); W. & G. Foyle Ltd (London); [Hatchards, London]; Hopton Hadley (London); Hodgson & Co. (London); John L. Hunt, (Caterham); Eric Malden (Southwold); Alister Mathews (nr Bournemouth); R. May (Aylesbury); A. Mayo (Worthing); George Over (Rugby); Bertram Rota (six letters)(London); John Schroder (nr. Tunbridge Wells); A.J. S[luman] of Sotheran's (London); Frank Thorold (SA); A.B. Ward (Sheffield); [Vicars Brothers, Fine Art Dealers]. His correspondents are widespread geographically and represent various interests and levels of business from a virtual stationer to leading members of the trade in the UK and USA. Subjects: orders; quotations, often in response to his "Clique" or other advertisements; offers of autograph material; Kipling predominating; Kipling firsts "no longer in demand" (Swann); wants and interests; negotiations on price; declining books offered; new books; popularity of Biggles and Enid Blyton; payments; binding and bibliographical issues; substantial manuscript list of "Standard Authors", etc.; request to send a description rather than the item (Mathews); Kipling's genius will create high prices (Rota); a sour deal; receipt of item.The collectors / book-buyers include distinguished people such as C.W. Scott-Giles and Sir Brunel Cohen. Some letters are 9extensively) annotated by Pettigrew. Subjects include: quotations; orders; payments; wants and interests; responses to advertisements in the "Kipling Journal" and "The Clique"; advise on how to run a book business (see below - a Newcastle collector); bibliographical enquiries; personal. The personal and business papers include: correspondence with "The Clique" (advertising and statement); correspondence with the "Kipling Journal" with a proof for an advertisement; items from the Sheppards Press, his accountant, his Bank, the export licensing authorities. A Newcastle collector wrote Pettigrew two substantial letters which are revealing about the book trade of the time. Amomng many insights, he reports that Arthur Rogers, a local (New castle) bookseller, says that the trade is boycotting him, emphasises the need for wider and deeper knowledge, points out that money will be tight, and gives him tips on "faking" (improving the appearance of a book). This, and otherr letters reveal that Pettigrew is a newcomer to the trade in 195. He presumably left the Army and cast about for something to do and was led to bookselling because he had already formed a large collection of Kiplingiana. His correspondents include several soldiers who are interested in military books as well as Kipling.