DRAWINGS - "AVERY" PORTFOLIOS

MS 3147/6

DRAWINGS - "AVERY" PORTFOLIOS

1815 - 1903

The alphabetical arrangement described above, though imperfect, has been retained. However some subdivision has taken place where the portfolios were found to contain more than one set of drawings. For example, according to the 1936 card index portfolio 61 contained drawings of oscillating engines for the Sicilian boat Antelope. On examination in May 2002 the portfolio was also found to contain a set of drawings of side lever engines for the boat La Rondini. The portfolio was therefore subdivided into 61a and 61b. The numbering has been kept, but the "AV" prefix discarded in favour of the collection/sub-sub fonds number, MS 3147/6.

The history of the Drawing Office has already been discussed in the previous list (MS 3147/5 - Drawings, Main Series). When James Watt & Co. folded in 1895, their premises at Soho Foundry and the goodwill (i.e. the ongoing business) of the firm was bought by the weighing machine makers W. & T. Averys. In order to carry out the goodwill of the firm, Averys received a large number of drawings, mainly from the late 19th century, which would enable them to maintain existing James Watt & Co. engines. They also received various older "historical" drawings which had not been placed in the Watt Room Museum, and which therefore did not pass to George Tangye when he bought the contents of the Watt Room. Some, but by no means all of these drawings make up the contents of the "Avery Portfolios," which were probably kept in Averys' own Drawing Office at Soho Foundry.