An unusual collection of 6 Vintage Household Provisions accounts books, Edinburgh, 1852-1911

An interesting slice of social history. This collection consists of household account books for different retailers supplying different types of provisions to an Edinburgh household.

5 of the books relate to the household of the Cathcarts, of Belgrave Crescent in Edinburgh. These books cover the period 1909-1911 and comprise accounts for the following Edinburgh merchants;

Aikmans: Meal flour and Potato Merchants; 
The Dumfriesshire Dairy Company of Edinburgh; 
Hector Laing, Fishmonger; 
Mrs Malloy, Fruiterer and Greengrocer; and; 
R. & T. Gibson, Groceries.

The final book is an earlier example from 1852, from The Medical Hall, suppliers of various pharmaceutical and chemical products, to a different Edinburgh household.

These accounts books contain the complete lists of products purchased, prices, and receipted payments. This is actually the first time we've come across this kind of book, so satisfying to have a collection of them covering the various types of retail supplier a household would utilise during those times.

These books mostly have stiff card covers, mainly covered in blue cloth, with the older book having marbled paper. Condition ranges from good to very good, and all are completed in handwritten script. Some with stamps certifying payment.

Text in English.

Weight approximately 493g (the set - unpacked).

Approx Dimensions: 

Typical size of approximately 165mm high x 103mm wide x 8mm deep.