| Description | Notes and copies of articles and documents relating to the history of Richards, largely about the site but also about David Brown of Dundee and William McKinnon & Co. Ltd (a foundry and engineering works in Spring Gardens, Aberdeen). There are also further letters from Richards' managing director Raymond Dinsdale to various libraries, archives and other organisations requesting information on the firm's history, and their responses (see DD1744/8/1).
Copies of original documents include: an inventory of property belonging to Barbara Helen and Ann Gordon in Gilcomston (1809); trust disposition of John Maberly transferring titles of premises for linen manufacture to a trust for partnership between himself and Richards (1829); Royal Sun Insurance Company Limited plan of Broadford Works (1935); and plan of one of the routes taken by Richards' Watchmen (1919).
Also sections of Richards Ltd's Board minutes concerning: a valuation of Broadford premises (1899); alterations to Corlis Engine, plans to build new Board Room and Counting House, and purchase of new machines (1900); purchase of house at Forest Avenue, Aberdeen (1927); works on South side of Maberly Street (1910); new offices and gateway, the extension of the Hacking department and new dining rooms for workers (1901); lease and water supply of Rubislaw Bleachfield (1900); Gilcomston Dam; and flooding at Garthdee (1920).
The file also includes a draft chapter of Cluer's book and a letter from Dr Richard Perren and Dr Alstair J. Durie from the University of Aberdeen's Department of Economic History to G.H. Hitchen, summarising the findings of their investigation into the sources available for a history of the firm (1978). Copies of part of Abigail Humphries' student thesis, 'The History of Broadfords/Richards Ltd' (DD1744/8/13), and sections of the company manual on the history of the firm and fire house production are also included. |