Records of Kleinwort Benson Group and its predecessors including Kleinwort, Sons and Company relating to the merchant bank and its clients across the world.
The collection consists of a comprehensive series of business records with archives of constituent predecessors, acquired companies and interests. They include partners' and staff papers, operational materials, accounting and financial records, client records and staff and property papers. The records relate to company origins, partners and staff, clients and business concerns across the globe since the 19th century.
Highlights include Kleinwort, Sons and Company's 'subject files' (series reference CLC/B/140/KS04/03) which contain reports and correspondence concerning business ventures, proposals and clients. They document global business concerns and provide a valuable insight to the working practices of the company. Files document issues faced by the firm and its clients in the early to mid-20th century clients including declined international business proposals, fraudulent and enemy debts arising during times of war.
Other highlights are partners' letter books which record their outgoing correspondence discussing both business and family matters. An example is a letter by Herman Anton Andreae in 1915 on his views in support of the decision to establish conscription (enforced enlistment) in the recruitment of soldiers in the First World War (CLC/B/140/KS02/03/002).
The earliest business records are those of Sharps Pixley Limited and its predecessors Sharps Wilkins and Pixley and Abell (CLC/B/140/SP01 to 06). These include monthly ledgers from 1796 (CLC/B/140/SP03/03) and other bullion dealing series (CLC/B/140/SP04/01).
Kleinwort, Sons and Co , merchant bankers Kleinwort Benson Limited , merchant bankers