Papers of Joseph Mason & Co. Ltd., Paint & Varnish Manufacturers, Derby

Business records of Joseph Mason & Co. Ltd., paint and varnish manufacturers, Derby, including minutes, 1888-1995, registers of members, 1888-1940s, letter books, 1896-1942, title deeds, 1872-1971, accounts, wages books, 1891-1977, photographs and company histories.

Shareholders' Minute Books D5599/1

Minutes of Directors' Meetings D5599/2

Annual General Meetings D5599/3

Registers of Members D5599/4

Articles of Association D5599/5

Letter Books D5599/6

Title Deeds D5599/7

Financial Records D5599/8-19

Long Service Staff Records D5599/20

Pension & Life Assurance Scheme D5599/21

Recipe & Mixing Books D5599/22

Work Books D5599/23

Paint Samples D5599/24

Coach Painting Series Booklets D5599/25

Catalogue D5599/26

Price Lists D5599/27

Advertising Material D5599/28

Photographs D5599/29

Histories D5599/30

Business Papers D5599/31

Joseph Mason Paints (Scotland) Ltd. D5599/32

Joseph Mason Paints (Rhodesia) (Private) Ltd. D5599/33

Isaac Mason & Son Ltd. D5599/34

Associated Paints Manufacturers Ltd. D5599/35

McLeod Russel D5599/36

The Edith Adela Strutt Memorial Fund for the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary Convalescent Home D5599/37

Miscellaneous D5599/38

Shares D5599/39

<p>For deeds and correspondence, see (D3993)</p>

These records were deposited with Derbyshire Record Office in November 2001.

Joseph Mason (1762-1826) was the eldest of five children born to William and Lydia Mason in the parish of St. Peter's, Derby. Joseph married Isabella Masefield at St. Peter's church on 25 September 1787. His occupation was given as 'gardiner'. They had four sons; William in 1788, Robert (1789), both baptised in St. Peter's; John (1791), and Joseph (1793), both baptised in All Saints, Derby. All the sons became varnish.

Joseph Mason & Co. was established in 1800 and early work included painting royal carriages. The firm began at a site close to the bridge in Derwent Street, the building was vacated in 1902 and demolished in 1909. In 1827 the trade directory lists Joseph Mason & Co., Derwent Street as varnish and colour manufacturers. There were also premises on Burton Road. These premises comprised varnish works, a house called Copal Cottage, a warehouse, an orchard and a garden. A chimney tower was built at the varnish works on Burton Road to take away the smoke and fumes from the works. As it failed to do so it was known as 'Mason's Folly'. The tower was designed in a Moorish style by George Thompson, architect and civil engineer in 1869. Joseph Masons became a limited company in February 1888. The company moved to Nottingham Road, Derby in 1900. The site housed the manufacturing works, the main warehouse, the research laboratories and the main offices.

In 1871, the male line of the Mason family came to an end and the company was put up for sale. Henry Edward Ayre, who wished to marry a Miss Sissons of Hull, was advised to invest in the business by his future father-in-law. Through three generations the Ayre family developed the business from its small beginnings into a progressive company renowned for the quality of its vehicle and decorative finishes. The company also offered a complete service by providing other allied merchandise, i.e. brushes, spray, equipment, etc. Through the years steady development took place, meeting demands for a wide range of paints. The Ayre family continued to run Joseph Mason & Co. Ltd. until they were bought out by Warren Plantation Holdings in 1979. Subsequently, the company was bought by McLeod Russel Holdings in 1982.

Since its foundation, Joseph Mason's main activity was the manufacture of specialised paints and finishes for vehicles. By the 1970s, approximately three-quarters of the company's sales were to owners and manufacturers of commercial transport vehicles, the remaining sales were for industrial plant and machinery and for decorative uses. Joseph Mason's own products were marketed under their registered names of 'Masopar', 'Masotex', 'Masolac', and 'Jolex'. There were a total of over 11,000 customer accounts. The major customers included British Airways, Rolls-Royce Cars, and Allied Breweries. However, none of these contracts accounted for more than two and a half percent of turnover.

The company's growth, as early as 1900, required the acquisition of premises in Derby. Depots, acting as distribution centres were acquired in London, Preston, Wakefield and Kirkcaldy. There were three main subsiduary companies:

1) Joseph Mason Paints (Scotland) Ltd.. This was 100% owned by the main company and acted as the group's Scottish outlet.

2) Associated Paint Manufacturers Ltd.. The company acted as the export outlet to all countries of the world except those forming part of the EEC. Associated Paint Manufacturers Ltd. was established in Apr 1948. It was based at 11a Albermarle Street, London W1. It later became known as ASOPAN Ltd.

3) Isaac Mason & Son (Derby) Ltd.. This company acted as the retail outlet for paints and wallpaper. It was formed in Jan 1944, and was situated at 31 Sadler Gate, Derby. The first secretary was Eric Wilshire, who had held the same position at Joseph Mason & Co. Ltd. The company ceased trading in January 1978.