Catalogue description Henry Headley and Co.

Records of Henry Headley and Co., wholesale and retail grocer of 44-46 High Street, Ashford.

The collection includes deeds, late 19th c. vouchers, 20th c. price lists, promotional literature and rationing papers, but no accounts.

The late 19th c. vouchers have been arranged by the depositor. They form two series whose relationship is unclear, although where bundles overlap in date, one appears to contain domestic and local vouchers i.e. household and Ashford area, and the other relates to business suppliers further afield, mainly London. The vouchers are an excellent series, many with illustrated bill headings, and include a range of famous manufacturing names such as Huntley and Palmer, Colemans, Crosse and Blackwell, etc.

It should be noted that the price lists in this collection refer to wholesale as well as retail prices. Early 20th c. advertising techniques are well illustrated, both for Headley's own business and for others, including car accessories.

The operation of rationing regulations during both World Wars are obvious in the correspondence, certificates and newscuttings also deposited.

This collection provides information on Ashford and the grocery trade in the late 19th c. and 20th c., though the lack of account books would hamper research. The depositor and the other branch of the Headley family, now owners of Invicta Press (see U2577/B8/8) could probably provide further information about the family and business.

U2577/T = Title Deeds

U2577/B1 = Vouchers (bound in monthly bundles)

U2577/B2 = Vouchers (loose in monthly bundles)

U2577/B3 = Price Lists

U2577/B4 = Headley's promotional literature and posters

U2577/B5 = Promotional literature and posters for other businesses

U2577/B6 = 1st World War rationing papers

U2577/B7 = 2nd World War rationing papers

U2577/B8 = Miscellaneous

U2577/B9 = Papers relating to Coastal Belt reserves of foodstuffs

U2577/B10 = Food supply during emergencies

U2577/B11 = Inventory and valuation of properties

N.B. For previous deposit of deeds, see U1773

Henry Headley and Co, Ashford, wholesale and retail grocer

Deposited October and November 1982, January and November 1983

The wholesale and retail grocery business of Henry Headley and Co. was established in 1848 at 44-46 High Street, Ashford, and ceased trading c.1980. It would appear that there was a branch store at Windmill Street, Croydon (whose vouchers for 1872 survive) and the 1st and 2nd World Wars rationing certificates in the collection name other stores then belonging to Headleys at Brookland, Challock, Chartham, Cheriton, Dymchurch, Hamstreet, Kennington, Leeds, Lyminge, Lympne, New Romney, Sissinghurst, Sutton Valence, Westwell and Willesborough, as well as another branch at New Town, Ashford.

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