Valuation books

This subgroup comprises the valuation books chiefly of the firm of Nock and Joseland but also of its predecessor partnerships. These books were used on visits to property for which a valuation was to be made, and represent the raw data from which written valuations and sales catalogues were compiled.

The firm evolved a code by which valuations carried out by its partners and staff could be kept confidential from opposing valuers - for example, when settling prices on a change of tenancy. This code employed the phrase "MAY GOD HELP" in which M stood for 1, A for 2, Y for 3 and so on until P for 0. Use of this code may be seen in the valuation books. The code used in the Kidderminster office was "KUMBERLAND," K standing for 1 and D for 0. Many of the staff of the firm could calculate as rapidly in the code as in pounds, shillings and pence.

The subgroup also contains books recording insurance policies taken out by the firm acting as insurance agents, and assessments made for income tax. As these e