This is a collection of records of various companies involved in the trading of Ceylon [now Sri Lanka] and Indian teas. It consists of import registers for an un-named company, auction catalogues for private trade teas and photographs of tea plantations, possibly in Ceylon, and the offices and staff of R.M. Holborn and Sons Limited, tea and coffee merchants.

Records of Beverlys Limited, including board meetings minute book, register of members, memorandum and articles of association, ledger and inventory. Also records of Northern Tea Stores, comprising register of members and register of transfers; and records of Black and Green, including board meetings minute book, registers of members, share registers and memorandum and articles of association.

Records of the Bhooteachang Tea Company Limited, comprising annual reports with accounts.

Records of Duncan Macneill and Company, including partnership deeds; correspondence; financial accounts; annual reports; agreements; and valuations of tea companies managed by the company.

Records of J. B. Barry and Son, including partnership deeds, correspondence and financial accounts.

Records of both companies including articles of association; annual reports; financial accounts; maps of tea gardens; goods ledger; produce ledger; tea companies' ledger; correspondence and legal papers.

Also records of John Mackinnon's trusts and Duncan Macneill's trusts.

Records of the Mjagram Tea Company, comprising memorandum and articles of association.

Northern Dooars Tea Company Limited records comprise: memorandum and articles of association, 1961 (Ms 27903); directors' and shareholders' meeting minutes 1899-1954 (Ms 27904-5); and accounts 1899-1970 (Ms 27906-8).

Salonah Tea Company Limited records comprise: directors' and shareholders' minute books, 1885-1956 (Ms 28106); and financial accounts, 1885-1978 (Ms 28107-11).

Upper Assam Tea Company Limited records comprise: board minutes, 1937-59 (Ms 28162A); accounts, 1862-1979 (Ms 28163-7); and historical notes, 1972 (Ms 28168).

The records of Peek Brothers and Winch Limited, tea merchants, comprise general meetings minutes 1895-1919; correspondence presented at board meetings 1895-1912; minutes 1903-26, and deeds and papers 1892-1937 of the Trustees of Debenture Stock, with trust deed for securing debenture stock 1897; trade mark book 1896-1944 and newspaper cuttings book 1896-1918. Also records of Francis Peek, Winch and Company comprising a private ledger 1855-78.

Letter book of Stringer and Richardson, merchants and tea and spice dealers.

Records of various tea or rubber companies, all later purchased by the Caparo Group. There are no records of Caparo Group Limited itself. The archives are catalogued under the names of the individual companies within the group. The companies are:
Assam Frontier Tea Company;
Budla Beta Tea Company;
Dooars Tea Company;
Empire of India and Ceylon Tea Company;
Empire of India Holdings Limited;
Lanka Plantation Company;
Oriental Rubber Company;
Singlo Tea Company;
Singlo Holdings Limited.

All the records are held offsite and therefore require 24 hours notice for access.

Records of the Empire of India and Ceylon Tea Company, comprising constitutional documents, Board of Directors' minutes, a ledger and tea sales records. The records are held off-site and therefore require 24 hours notice for access.

Minutes of the Lanka Plantation Company Limited.

Records of Edmund Schluter and Company, general merchants, including letter books; ledgers; cash books; journals; sales books; purchase books; and waste books.

Records of Crosfield, Lampard and Company, managers of tea and rubber plantations in Sri Lanka, including correspondence; financial accounts; and statements of tea shipments.

Records of Harrisons and Crosfield (Hong Kong) Limited, including papers regarding the formation of the Company; correspondence relating to the general trading of the company; and papers relating to staff.

Access to records less than 30 years old (or records less than 70 years old which relate to staff) should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Records of Harrisons and Eastern Export Limited, tea exporters, including articles of association; minutes of meetings; annual reports; correspondence; financial accounts; and reports of visits to tea traders.

Records of the Robur Tea Company Limited, including articles of association, annual accounts, and summary of balances.

Records of J Lyons and Company Limited and Lyons Tetley Limited, food manufacturers and caterers, W H and F J Horniman and Company Limited and Joseph Tetley and Company, tea merchants, 1849-1978.

This collection contains records relating to all three companies (Horniman, Lyons and Tetley) when they were trading as separate businesses and when they were united under various incarnations of the one "Lyons" name. (They include references to other companies such as Symbol biscuits which Lyons took over in 1944)

However, despite the fact that some corporate records such as minutes have been retained by the Tetley Group Limited the majority of this collection is in fact composed of records relating to the Lyons company (which is necessarily linked with the former due to the fact it was a major competitor for years before taking it over in 1973).

Marketing and publicity aspects are the most heavily represented. As such this is a visually appealing collection and of particular note are the photograph albums and volumes of artwork, product labels and advertisments which are a testiment to the impact tea drinking has had on British society and its way of life.

Financial accounts of the South African Nectar Tea Company Limited.

Records of Sumatra Tea Estates Limited, comprising articles of association, annual reports and accounts, and circulars.

Records of Tait and Company Limited, tea merchants, including correspondence; minutes; memoranda; financial accounts; and press cuttings.

Access to records less than 30 years old (or records less than 70 years old which relate to staff) should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Memorandum and articles of association for Wallardie Tea Estates Limited.

Records of the Assam Company, producers and traders in tea, including papers regarding shareholders; legal papers; papers regarding properties including maps and plans; reports; annual reports; minute books; financial accounts; correspondence and letter books; circulars; press cuttings; and papers regarding the cultivation and manufacture of tea including analysis of tea production and tea garden inspection reports.

Records of Assam Estates Limited, tea company, including ledgers, journals, cash books and book of bills payable.

Records of Brae and Chingoor Tea Estates Limited, comprising ledgers, cash book and bills payable.

Kalline Tea Company Limited records comprise: memorandum and articles of association, 1926-48 (Ms 27771); and accounts, 1927-71 (Ms 27772-4).

Records of Koyah Tea Company Limited, comprising minutes of meetings.

Western Cachar Company Limited records comprise: memorandum and articles of association, 1863-1915 (Ms 28169); register of directors and secretaries, 1901-1962 (Ms 28169A); and accounts, 1915-69 (Ms 28170-3).

Records of Boulnois, Drew and Company, tea dealers, comprising a ledger and balance sheets.

Records of Harrisons Ramsay Proprietary Limited, including articles of association; minutes of the board; annual reports; reports on visits to branches; correspondence; memoranda; general reports; financial accounts; summaries of shipments and sales; correspondence regarding arrangements for staff during the Second World War; and papers of various subsidiaries.

Access to records less than 30 years old (or records less than 70 years old which relate to staff) should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Records of Harrisons, King and Irwin Limited, traders in silk, tea and cotton, including board minutes; correspondence; memoranda; financial accounts; and analysis of income and expenditure.

Access to records less than 70 years old which relate to staff should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Papers of I.T.M. Syndicate Limited, tea manufacturer, relating to the liquidation of the company.

Records of the Kertasarie Tea Company Limited, including board minute book, circulars to shareholders, correspondence, and photograph album of tea and coffee estates.

Records of Lampard, Clark and Company, tea traders, including correspondence; financial accounts; and statements of shipments of tea and rubber.

Records of the Lunuva (Ceylon) Tea and Rubber Estates Limited, including articles of association, minute books, annual reports, circulars to shareholders, statements of yields, statistics regarding the estates, maps of the estates, and correspondence.

Access to records less than 30 years old (or records less than 70 years old which relate to staff) should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Records of Malayalam Plantations Limited, including articles of association, minute books, annual reports, financial accounts, circulars to shareholders, inventories, and photographs of operations on the tea estates.

Access to records less than 30 years old (or records less than 70 years old which relate to staff) should be sought from Elementis plc (contact details may be obtained from a member of staff).

Records of Non Such Tea Estates Limited, comprising correspondence relating to the sale of shareholdings.

Records of the Bikam Rubber Estate Limited, comprising articles of association, annual reports, and circulars to shareholders.

Records of Phillips, Harrisons and Crosfield Limited, traders in tea, including minutes of meetings, papers concerning the formation of a branch in Kenya, and papers concerning the formation of a distribution company in Africa.

Papers of John Ferguson CMG, Assistant Editor, later Proprietor and Editor of the Ceylon Observer 1861-1913, and member of the Legislative Council for Ceylon 1903-1908; also some of his uncle Alastair Mackenzie Ferguson CMG, Assistant Editor, later Proprietor and Editor of the Ceylon Observer 1846-1893; including correspondence and papers relating to the Ceylon Observer, the Handbook and Directory of Ceylon, and the Tropical Agriculturalist, 1874-1911; correspondence, papers and press cutting relating to railways in Ceylon, 1867-1912; papers on coffee, tea, coconut and other planting trades in Ceylon, c1858-1895; correspondence and papers relating to the governors and governance of Ceylon, including correspondence with Sir (Joseph) West Ridgeway, 1898-1913 and Sir Henry McCallum, 1908-1913, correspondence, press cuttings and papers on the Ceylon Legislative Council and other political matters, 1895-1912; papers on the award of the CMG, 1899-1910; papers on religious matters relating to Ceylon, including letters on missionary work, the Salvation Army, and on Buddist temporalities; papers on John Ferguson's visits and lecture tours , 1878-1910; personal and family papers, 1895-1913; correspondence and papers of Alastair Mackenzie (AM) Ferguson, 1850-1893; correspondence and papers on the Royal Asiatic Society, 1859-1912.

Papers, 1890-1987, of Melvin Perlman, comprising correspondence; research data gathered during 1959-1962 for his study on Toro marriages in Uganda; data gathered for his research on Tea Estate Workers in Uganda; and his articles and lectures.

Records of Zaloni Tea Estates Limited, comprising annual reports and accounts; and circulars.

Records of the companies making up the Inchcape Group, including:

• Adamson, Bell and Company: see Dodwell and Company;
  • Adamson (W. R.) and Company: see Dodwell and Company;
  • African Marine and General Engineering Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
  • African Wharfage Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
  • Alexandra Brickworks Limited: see Borneo Company;
  • Anglo Siam Corporation: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
  • Anglo Thai Corporation: Ms 27001-034;
  • Arbuthnot, Ewart and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
  • Argonauts Investments Limited: see Assam and African Investments Limited;
  • Assam and African Holdings Limited: see Assam and African Investments Limited;
  • Assam and African Investments Limited: Ms 27035-45;
  • Assam Company Limited: Ms 8794-8803; 9924-9936; 11497-504; 23723-5 and 27046-103;
  • Assam Estates Limited: Ms 27104-7;
  • Australasian United Steam Navigation Company: 27108-45;
  • Baghdad Light and Power Company: 27146-7;
  • Bahrein Slipway Company: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
  • Bally Paper Mills Company: see Borneo Company;
  • Bangalore Woollen, Cotton and Silk Mills Company: see Binny and Company;
  • Barnagore Jute Factory Company: see Borneo Company;
  • Barry and Company: see Macneill and Barry;
  • Barry, J. B. and Son: see Duncan Macneill and Company;
  • Bhooteachang Tea Company: Ms 27148;
  • Binny and Company: Ms 27149-73;
  • Borneo Agencies Limited: see Borneo Company;
  • Borneo Company: Ms 27174-474;
  • Borneo Motors Limited: see Borneo Company;
  • Brae and Chingoor Tea Estates Limited: Ms 27475-7;
  • British India and Queensland Agency Company: Ms 27478-9;
  • British India Associated Steamers Limited: Ms 27480-6;
  • Bruseh Tin and Rubber Estates Limited: see Borneo Company;
  • Bulkships Limited: Ms 27487;
  • Cawnpore Electric Supply Corporation: Ms 27488;
  • Cheerie Valley Tea Company: Ms 27489;
  • Child, Macfarland and Company: Ms 27490-1;
  • Dalhousie Jute Company: Ms 27492;
  • Delmege, Allen and Company: Ms 27493-4;
  • Delmege, Forsyth and Company: 27495-7;
  • Dilmun Navigation Company: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
  • Dodwell and Company: Ms 27498-526;
  • Dodwell, Carlill and Company: see Dodwell and Company;
  • Dodwell Motors Limited: see Dodwell and Company;
  • Duncan Macneill and Company: Ms 27527-90;
  • Eastern and Australian Steampship Company: see Australasian United Steam Navigation Company;
  • Ewart, Latham and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
  • Ewart, Lyon and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
  • Ewart, Ryrie and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
  • Ganges Transport and Trading Company: Ms 27591-2;
  • Garden Reach Spinning and Manufacturing Company: Ms 27592A;
  • Garden Reach Workshops Limited: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
  • Gibb, Livingston and Company: Ms 27593-6;
  • Gillanders, Ewart and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
  • Gilman (Holdings) Limited: Ms 27597;
  • Gourepore Company: Ms 27598;
  • Gourepore Electric Supply Company: Ms 27599;
  • Gray, Dawes and Company: Ms 27600-87;
  • Gray, Mackenzie and Company: Ms 27688-745;
  • Gray, Paul and Company: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
  • Greenwood Tea Company: Ms 27746-52;
  • Haboko Tea Company: see Borneo Company;
  • Hain (Edward) and Son: see St Mary Axe Securities Limited;
  • India General Navigation and Railway Company: Ms 27753-65;
  • India General Steam Navigation Company: see India General Navigation and Railway Company;
  • India Rivers Steam Navigation Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
  • Islay, Kerr and Company: Ms 27766-9;
  • Java Agency Company: Ms 27770;
  • Kalline Tea Company: Ms 27771-4;
  • Kenya Landing and Shipping Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
• Kilburn and Company: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
  • Kilburn, Brown and Company: Ms 27775-82;
  • Koyah Tea Company: Ms 27783;
  • Macdonald, Hamilton and Company: Ms 27784-7;
  • Mackay and Company: Ms 27788-92;
  • Mackay, Lynch and Company: see Mackay and Company;
  • Mackinnon, Mackenzie and Company: Ms 27793-848;
  • Mackinnon (W.) and Company: Ms 27849-50;
  • Macneill and Barry Limited: Ms 27851-94;
  • Macneill and Company: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
  • Macneill and Kilburn Limited: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
  • Macneill and Magor Limited: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
  • Macneill, Barry and Company: see Duncan Macneill and Company;
  • Majagram Tea Company: Ms 27895;
  • Mediterranean Transport Company: Ms 27896-902;
  • Mesopotamia Persia Corporation: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
  • Metro-Dodwell Motors Limited: see Dodwell and Company;
  • New Rivers Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
  • Ngambo Limited: see Assam and African Investments Limited;
  • Northern Dooars Tea Company: Ms 27903-8;
  • Nuddea Mills Company: Ms 27909;
  • Pahang Consolidated Company: see Borneo Company;
  • Pakistan River Steamers Limited: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
  • Pakistan Rivers Steam Navigation Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
  • Rejang Agencies Limited: see Borneo Company;
  • River Steamers Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
  • Rivers Steam Navigation Company: Ms 27910-28101;
  • St Mary Axe Securities Limited: Ms 28102-5;
  • Salonah Tea Company: Ms 28106-11;
  • Sarawak Rubber Estates Limited: see Borneo Company;
  • Sarawak Steamship Company: see Borneo Company;
  • Scottish Assam Tea Company: Ms 28112-16;
  • Siam Forest Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
  • Silonibari Tea Company: Ms 28117;
  • Singapore Plywood Company: see Borneo Company;
  • Smith, Mackenzie and Company: Ms 28118-53;
  • Tanganyika Landing and Shipping Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
  • Tarrapore Tea Company: Ms 28154-5;
  • Thanai Tea Company: Ms 28156-62;
  • Upper Assam Tea Company: Ms 28162A;
  • Western Cachar Company: Ms 28169-73.

Also published history 'Pioneering Spirit: The story behind Inchcape's remarkable journey', 2010.

Records of Inchcape and Company Limited (1939-2010), including subject files belonging to Kenneth James William Mackay (third Earl of Inchcape) and other directors and seniors. Files concern the formation of the holding company in 1958 and also individual companies within the group.

Records of Cheerie Valley Tea Company, comprising memorandum and articles of association.

Records of the Greenwood Tea Company Limited, including articles of association and financial records including details of tea sold and seasonal expenses at the tea gardens.

Tarrapore Tea Company records comprise: memorandum and articles of association, 1875-1949 (Ms 28154); and plans, 1881-92 (Ms 28155).

The records of WH Tindall and Company, tea and coffee growers and exporters, comprise records relating to the Imboolpittia and other estates including managers' and crop accounts, statements of expenditure and receipts, notes of coffee shipments and yields of tea and rubber, and papers relating to the administration of and materials for the estate 1841-1933; report and prospectus regarding land development 1917 and 1920; papers relating to the activities of various company managers and superintendents 1841-56; letters and papers regarding general trading, acquisition of estates and their cultivation 1842-88; papers regarding the Tindall family investments and trusts c 1872-1929; papers regarding the sale of land to W.H. Tindall 1843-55; papers regarding administration of W.H. Tindall's estate 1900-2; map showing coffee estates ca.1860 and notes on the history of the firm 1932-1966.

The records of Cotesworth and Powell Limited, import, export, and general merchants, comprise accounts relating to sugar plantations of Umhlanga Valley (Natal) Sugar and Coffee Company Limited 1866-87; notes in relation to credit arrangements, with other papers c 1870-90.

Papers of Margaret Irving relating to her work as a tea taster at Brash Brothers (Tea) Limited.

Records of the Assam Frontier Tea Company Limited, including Directors' minutes; annual general meeting minutes; ledger and London trustees provident fund minute book.