Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1972–2005 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
27 files in 4 boxes (0.66 linear metres)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Roger F. Carrington (1948–2005) was a horological researcher, specialising in Liverpool watchmaking. He was the author of important articles published in Antiquarian Horology: "Thomas Yates of Preston, Watchmaker & Experimentalist' (1975) and “Pierre Frederic Ingold and the British Watch and Clockmaking Company” (1978). He also undertook painstaking research at Guildhall Library into watchmakers and clockmakers in insurance records, and was a collector of unusual horological items which he sourced at antique markets. Although publication plans for his proposed books were cut short by his untimely death, he left behind a wealth of research papers and manuscripts in various stages of completion.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The collection was deposited at the AHS, then located at Ticehurst, East Sussex, by Roger Carrington’s widow Susan Carrington on 7 January 2013, following discussions with Andrew King and Alan Treherne.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection comprises Roger Carrington’s research papers relating to clockmaking and watchmaking in the north of England, and the role of insurance records in researching horological history.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
Roger Carrington’s archive has been fully catalogued and no further deposits are expected.
System of arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series, reflecting the original arrangement at the time of deposit.
CAR/01: Notes and presentations
CAR/02: Insurance policy research
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
These records are mostly available for public access by prior appointment. Records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 2018.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Mostly English, some French
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Generated finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
A digitised and searchable typescript pdf file of the watchmakers’ insurance policies extracted by Roger Carrington from the Sun Life registers (1710–1863) and Royal Exchange registers (1754–59, 1773–1861) is available to AHS members via the AHS website.
Related units of description
Most of the Carrington Archive, including photographs of watches and notes and extracts relating to clock and watchmakers from south-west Lancashire, was deposited at the Liverpool Museum in 2013. A list of these records exists in the acquisition file.
Records of the Sun Life Insurance Company (now Sun Insurance Office Ltd) and the Royal Exchange Assurance Company are held at London Metropolitan Archives (formerly at Guildhall Library), refs. CLC/B/192 and CLC/B/107/02 respectively. The Sun Life Insurance policy registers used by R.F. Carrington in his research are ref. CLC/B/192/F/003/MS11936- MS11937, and the fire policy registers of the Royal Exchange Assurance Company are CLC/B/107/02/MS07252-MS07255. They cover the period of 1710-1863.
Notes area
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Description control area
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Dates of creation revision deletion
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Archivist's note
Catalogued in May 2023 by the AHS Archivist.