Call Number:

Oversize Ms. Codex 2249

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

.1 linear feet (1 volume)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Pawnbroker ledger, 1876-1897, Oversize Ms Codex 2279, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1876-1897 (inclusive)

Form:

Business records, Financial records, and Ledgers (account books)

Abstract:

This volume records the sale of unredeemed items from a pawnbroker to a number of auction houses in Victorian London from 1876 to 1897. The pre-printed book records, in columns: number of pledge as in pledge book; lot number; date of pawning; name of pawner; articles pawned, amount of loan (in pounds, shillings, and pennies [£, s., and d.]); and amount for which pledge sold as stated by auctioneer (in pounds, shillings, and pennies [[£, s., and d.]). The pawn shop in this volume is unnamed and its location in London is unknown.

Between 1873 and 1896, there were more than 500 pawnshops operating in London at any given time. According to Michelle Higgs, "the pawnbroker offered a vital service for people living close to the bread-line who were in regular, yet poorly paid work [and] provided loans secured on domestic items as diverse as clothing, shoes and jewelry through to flat irons and occupational tools." Items were frequently pawned simply to make ends meet until the next pay, resulting in a "cycle of pledging and redeeming, week in, week out, [that] might continue for years and [through which] pawnbrokers made their profits on the interest charged," (Higgs). Not all items, however, were redeemed. The redemption period for items pawned was one year and seven days. The pawnshop could simply sell items pledged for less than ten shillings; however, items pledged for more than ten shillings had to be sold at public auction. According to Robert A.P. Creet, "articles put up for sale in auction rooms were generally purchased by dealers who disposed of them amongst shopkeepers, refiners, and re-pawners," (page 187). The items recorded in this volume are unredeemed items that were sold at auction by an unnamed pawnshop in Victorian London.

Auctions houses mentioned in this volume include: Johnson and Dymonds, Hickinbotham's & Sons, and H. & A. Laymans.

Johnson and Dymonds was established in 1793 and was advertised in London's 1934 Post Office Directory as "dispos[ing] of family jewels, silver plate, works of art; also household and office furniture, trade stocks, wearing apparel, furs of every description & personal effects by auction five days in each week." They appear to have been the auction house used by this volume's pawn shop for several sales during August, 1876, the very earliest entries in the volume. They had addresses at 24 and 25 Great Queen Street and 34, 36 & 38 Parker Street.

Hickinbotham & Sons was probably run by William Hickinbotham, who is listed in city directories as a pawnbroker. A Samuel Hickenbotham is also listed in the directories as a pawnbroker, so it is possible that they are father and son. Items listed in this volume were sold to them from December 14, 1876, until December 17, 1880. William Hickinbotham's premises were located at 129 and 130 Kingsland Road.

H. & A. Layman (also written as Messers. Layman Sons, Messers. Layman, Messers. Laymans, Messers. Laymans Auction Rooms, Laymans, and H. & A. Laymans Auction Rooms) was the auction house used by this pawnshop from October 3, 1881, through the last entry in 1897. During the time of the business transactions recorded in this volume, H. & A. Layman had offices at 1 Railway Approach SE and Denman Street, near the London Bridge Station.

Works cited:

Creet, Roger A.P. Pawnbroking and the Working Class in Victorian London, 1850-1914. [California?] : [publisher not identified], [2013].

Higgs, Michelle. "Victorian Pawnbrokers," A Visitor's Guide to Victorian England. https://visitvictorianengland.com/2019/05/24/victorian-pawnbrokers/ (accessed 2025 January 24).

This volume records the sale of unredeemed items from a pawnbroker to a number of auction houses in London, England, from 1876 to 1897. The pre-printed book records, in columns: number of pledge as in pledge book; lot number; date of pawning; name of pawner; articles pawned; amount of loan (in pounds, shillings, and pennies [£, s., and d.]); and amount for which pledge sold as stated by auctioneer (in pounds, shillings, and pennies [£, s., and d.]). The volume was sold to the pawnshop by Jackson & Keeson, Stationers and Printers, Account Book Manufacturers, in Eagle Court, Dean Street, High Holborn. The information is recorded in several hands. The pawn shop in this volume is unnamed.

The majority of items sold were clothing and jewelry; however, the variety of items was quite diverse and included bibles; bicycles, books; cigars and pipes; fishing rods; furniture; games (such as chess and cribbage boards and pieces); musical instruments; opera glasses; paintings; and sewing machines, to name only a few.

Sales were held anywhere from a couple of months to an entire year apart; but generally, sales happened two days in a row or within a week. Frequently, the sales of one day were mostly jewelry and sales from the other day were mostly clothing.

Earlier in the volume, the name of the pawner is listed by last name, followed by first name. No addresses or other identifying information is provided. Later in the volume, the name of the pawner is listed by first name followed by last name. Descriptions of the articles pawned are generally fairly brief and often with abbreviations, with listings such as 12 silk handkerchiefs, locket, 2 wed. rings, or locket.

This volume is bound in half leather with marbled end papers. The leather on the fore-edge and spine are worn. Pages 47 to 62 and 335 to 366 are blank.