IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/B/192-26
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: LONDON ASSURANCE
Date(s): 1719-1967
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 706 production units.
Name of creator(s): London Assurance Corporation
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The London Assurance Corporation was established by Royal Charters granted in June 1720 (marine business) and April 1721 (fire and life). It became a subsidiary of the Sun Alliance in 1965.
Its first offices were in the "Rising Sun" in Broad Street, E.C. In August 1720 it moved to a house in Castle Court, Birchin Lane E.C. (formerly the "Ship and Castle" tavern built upon the site of the "Dolphin Tavern" destroyed by the Great Fire in 1666) where it remained until another fire in March 1748. New offices were built at 19 Birchin Lane E.C. and it remained there until 1845. From 1845 to 1922 its head office was at 7 Royal Exchange, E.C. and from 1922-65 at 1 King William Street, E.C.4.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
The London Assurance Corporation records comprise: corporate and share records, 1719-1955; committee minutes, 1720-1927; administrative records, 1883-1967; investment books 1831-1926; policy records, 1721-1967; risks books, 1832-54; ship charter records, 1720-1853; fire charter records, 1721-1854; financial records, 1721-1958; staff records, 1906-63; property records, 1703-1923; plans, 1747-8, 1882-4; and other miscellaneous records, 1725-1932.
THESE RECORDS ARE SUBJECT TO A 50 YEAR CLOSURE PERIOD. LIFE ASSURANCE MATERIAL IS CLOSED FOR 75 YEARS.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.
Conditions governing access:
48 hours notice required for access. Access by appointment only. Please contact staff.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The London Assurance archives have been deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library by the Sun Alliance at various dates since 1968. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Publication note:
For a history of the Company see G.S. Street, The London Assurance, 1720-1920 (London, 1920), available in the Printed Books Section of Guildhall Library.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note:
Date(s) of descriptions: January to May 2011.