IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): COL/BR
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: BROKERS
Date(s): 1674-1906
Level of description: sub-fonds
Extent: 19 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Corporation of London
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
A broker is a retailer of commodities or someone who acts as a middleman to transact business or negotiate bargains between different merchants or individuals. There are several types of broker including bill or exchange brokers, stockbrokers, ship brokers, insurance brokers, pawnbrokers. Those brokers who negotiate sales of produce between different merchants usually confine themselves to some one department or line of business such as cotton, tea, etc (Oxford English Dictionary).
Between 1285 and 1886 the Corporation of London had the power to license all brokers in almost every commodity operating in the City of London. This power was granted and confirmed by several Royal Charters and Acts of Parliament. Although the Corporation was keen to maintain its powers over brokers, many evaded being licensed - half the brokers on the Stock Exchange were found to be unlicensed in 1837. The powers of the Corporation were restricted by statute in 1870 and entirely abolished in 1884 by the London Brokers' Relief Act.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records relating to Brokers, 1674-1906, including accounts of brokers' rents, 1788-1882; ledger of brokers' rents, 1746-1886; accounts of rent received, 1845-1847; brokers' rents cash book, 1847-1889; brokers' rentals, 1858-1885; brokers' bonds, 1697-1870; records of various Committees of the Court of Aldermen, which dealt with the admission and regulation of brokers, 1692 and 1764-1886; Act of Common Council for regulating Brokers upon the Royal Exchange, 1674; petitions of individuals to be admitted as brokers, submitted to the Court of Aldermen, 1708; registers of admission and discharge, 1708-1886; receipt books for medals certificates, 1840-1886; notices of discharge, 1863-1886; applications to the Court of Aldermen for admission as brokers, 1868-1871 brokers' medals, 1803 and 1837-1861; various lists of brokers, 1708-1882; Parliamentary Bills and orders, rules and regulations of the Court of Aldermen regarding brokers and article Brokers' Medals and Stockbrokers' Tokens by J.B. Caldecott, 1906.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
In sections as follows: Accounts, Bonds, Committtee Papers, Petitions, Registers, Miscellaneous, Admissions and Discharges, Lists and Rules.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright: City of London.
Physical characteristics:
Fit
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Corporation of London Records Office.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Information regarding brokers licensed before 1697 can be found in the Letter Books for 1285-1495 (COL/AD) and in the Repertories (proceedings of the Court of Aldermen) for 1495-1697 (COL/CA).
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009