Journal of Oswald Grundy

2024-26

01-08-1839 - 31-12-1878

Journal (1829-1878) kept by Manchester textile merchant Oswald Grundy (1810-1897). In the journal, Grundy records his work in Valparaiso, Chile, receiving cloth shipments from his father's Manchester cotton manufacturing company, including details of ships arriving and departing. Ledger pages cover business, family, and household expenses in the 1840s (Chile) and 1850s (Manchester). Grundy also records the 6-week journey he took with his 3-year old son in 1848, crossing the Panama Isthmus while returning to Manchester from Valparaiso. Later entries document Grundy’s residence, primarily as a ‘gentleman farmer’, in Ontario, Canada, 1856-1878.

1 volume

The journal is in a fair condition, with minor damage to the spine covering, the corners of the front and back covers, and some warping of the pages to their outer edges. Pages: There are 356 hand numbered pages of laid rag paper. Binding: The volume is bound with green leather covers front and back, and along the spine. Part of the spine covering is gone, and the outside corners, top and bottom, show wear. The volume has a pressure release brass clasp without keyhole or indications of a missing lock mechanism. The mechanism works well and without effort required to open the diary. The ink is generally dark with some pages very faint but legible. The entries move from Grundy's own script to copperplate and back depending on the material being recorded. The inner seams of the front and back covers have been reinforced with red cloth tape.

English

Acquired through family line of descent documented a the provenance report provided by Peter Malkin.

Science and Industry Museum

Open access.

Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions. The Journal is in the public domain.