Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1947-1990 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
4.55 linear metres
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Empire Stone Works was founded in 1900. It specialised in producing pre-cast concrete for cladding. This could incorporate colour pigment and also produce a hand-finished surface to match natural stone cills, copings and cornices. The factory dominated the Leicestershire village of Narborough, with its own rail sidings, and employed over 300 people. The company ceased trading in 1994, soon after the completion of the MI6 building at Vauxhall Cross.
Repository
Archival history
These plans were rescued from a derelict building, days before it was demolished. Plans relating to London came to the then Greater London Record Office, together with index cards for the whole of the existing plan collection.
GB 0074 ACC/3496 1947-1990 Collection 4.55 linear metres Empire Stone Works , manufacturers of concrete cladding
The Empire Stone Works was founded in 1900. It specialised in producing pre-cast concrete for cladding. This could incorporate colour pigment and also produce a hand-finished surface to match natural stone cills, copings and cornices. The factory dominated the Leicestershire village of Narborough, with its own rail sidings, and employed over 300 people. The company ceased trading in 1994, soon after the completion of the MI6 building at Vauxhall Cross.
These plans were rescued from a derelict building, days before it was demolished. Plans relating to London came to the then Greater London Record Office, together with index cards for the whole of the existing plan collection.
Donated to the Archive in 1995.
Records of the The Empire Stone Works, consisting of rolled plans, 1950-1990, from the Drawing Office at Narborough. Among the buildings with which the company was involved are: Battersea Park Pagoda, British Museum, Ford Factory Dagenham, Bank of England, Haberdasher's Hall, Westminster Abbey, Royal Ballet School, Royal Free Hospital and Kingston Power Station.
In November 2000 these files were assessed individually and sorted according to whether they related to existing collections held at the London Metropolitan Archive; had significant architectural plans within its contents; were high quality examples of Empire Stoneworks' designs; related to major London buildings; and were worthy of long term preservation. Approximately 20% of the original number of files was retained as a result of this appraisal.
The original references have been kept but there were 2 series. All plans beginning with the prefix L{A}, L{B}, L{C} relate to London. Some other places in London, particularly those in outer London, appear in a separate series for the whole county using the first letter of the place as a prefix: e.g. B177 relates to Bromley. Not all these numbers have survived.
Available for general access.
Copyright rests with the City of London.
English
Fit
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
The Company's records have been deposited at Leicestershire Record Office, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicester LE18 2AH (Accession DE4570). The Birmingham plans went to Birmingham City Archives, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ. Plans of Marks and Spencers' stores were separated out by their consulting engineers WSP Kenchington Ford of Birmingham.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. July to October 2009 Information sources Documents Business records Industry Extractive industry Stone industry and trade Concrete Visual materials Plans Building plans Cladding Building materials Architectural plans Company archives Companies Empire Stone Works , manufacturers of concrete cladding Enterprises
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated to the Archive in 1995.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the The Empire Stone Works, consisting of rolled plans, 1950-1990, from the Drawing Office at Narborough. Among the buildings with which the company was involved are: Battersea Park Pagoda, British Museum, Ford Factory Dagenham, Bank of England, Haberdasher's Hall, Westminster Abbey, Royal Ballet School, Royal Free Hospital and Kingston Power Station.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
In November 2000 these files were assessed individually and sorted according to whether they related to existing collections held at the London Metropolitan Archive; had significant architectural plans within its contents; were high quality examples of Empire Stoneworks' designs; related to major London buildings; and were worthy of long term preservation. Approximately 20% of the original number of files was retained as a result of this appraisal.
Accruals
System of arrangement
The original references have been kept but there were 2 series. All plans beginning with the prefix L{A}, L{B}, L{C} relate to London. Some other places in London, particularly those in outer London, appear in a separate series for the whole county using the first letter of the place as a prefix: e.g. B177 relates to Bromley. Not all these numbers have survived.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright rests with the City of London.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The Company's records have been deposited at Leicestershire Record Office, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicester LE18 2AH (Accession DE4570). The Birmingham plans went to Birmingham City Archives, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ. Plans of Marks and Spencers' stores were separated out by their consulting engineers WSP Kenchington Ford of Birmingham.
Finding aids
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English