RP XXIV - Rathbone Brothers and Co. - 1837-1980
RP XXIV - BUSINESS RECORDS, RATHBONE BROTHERS AND CO. date from 1834-1890 and include:
- RP XXIV.1 - GENERAL RECORDS - correspondence and related papers concerning the admin. and policy of the firm as a whole and connected partnership
- RP XXIV.1 - AMERICA
- RP XXIV.3 - C...
Archive level description: Series Physical Description: 37 volumes and 5538 items
| Summary: | RP XXIV - BUSINESS RECORDS, RATHBONE BROTHERS AND CO. date from 1834-1890 and include:
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| Date: | 1837-1980 |
| Reference Number: | RP XXIV |
| Biographical/Administrative Information: | In 1824 the firm of commission merchants and shipping agents that had been built up through four generations of the Rathbone family of Liverpool (see RP XXIII - Business Records, Early partnerships) began trading under the name of Rathbone Bros. and Co. In the period mid to late 19th century the firm saw marked expansion: strong American trade importing cotton and grains to Britain and exporting China tea and Brazilian coffee, leading to establishment of New York agency, which became after the American Civil War 'Busk and Jevons'; strong trade with China purchasing teas and silks, leading to opening of two Chinese houses in Canton and Shanghai, under name of 'Rathbone Worthington and Co.; London house opened, initially to deal with trade in teas; from Egypt wheat, corn and cotton were handled by the firm and from South America coffee and the first imports of salted beef to Britain. At turn of century the business was experiencing financial difficulties: in 1912 it was restructured; move away from merchanting operations and towards provision of financial services. |