IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 CLC/L/MA
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF MAKERS OF PLAYING CARDS
Date(s): 1628-1998
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 42 production units
Name of creator(s): Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards was incorporated in 1628 to protect manufacturers of playing cards against the importing of cards from abroad and against inferior products in Britain. The Company was given power of search anywhere in England and Wales.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards. The records include registers of freedom admissions from 1694 and of apprentice bindings from 1775; charters and ordinances; Court minute books; financial accounts; and quarterage books. PLEASE NOTE: MS 5963 IS SUBJECT TO A 30 YEAR CLOSURE PERIOD.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
The catalogue has been arranged in sections each with an archival classification code as follows: A Constitutional records; B Court records; C Membership records; D Financial records; E Trade records; F Clerk's records.
Conditions governing access:
Restricted access: please see staff.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries. For further information please see LMA Research Guide "Consulting Archives at Guildhall Library", available at http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright: 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 records were deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library in 1950, 1952 and 1987. The Manuscripts Section merged with London Metropolitan Archives in 2008. The records have been catalogued by various members of staff over many years.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Publication note:
For further information relating to Livery Companies, particularly using the company records for family history, please see Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Livery Company Membership Guide" and Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section "Leaflet Guides to Records: Searching for Members or those apprenticed to Members of City of London Livery Companies" (both available online).
For a general introduction to the history of the City of London Livery Companies please see entry in The London Encyclopaedia, ed Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Date(s) of descriptions: Oct-09