| Description | 4 pcs.
Case of Smiths A[lston] & B[oulton].
[Sets out the history of the partnership, beginning ‘In May last, when Mr Smith shewd his new Buckle at Mr Garbetts I offerd to take a share in the concern.’ A few days later James Alston recommended the Smiths as ‘onest industrious & ingenious men’, and offered to take a share in the partnership with Boulton. After some initial disagreement with the Smiths, which seems to have centred on a 3rd Smith brother whom Boulton and Alston felt less inclined to trust, it was settled that production of the buckles should take place at Soho where there were already adequate buildings, machinery and skilled workers. Boulton and James Alston agreed to advance an initial £500 each, interest free, and up to a further £3,000 at 5% if and when the trade developed.] |