IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0096 MS 383
Held at: Senate House Library, University of London
Title: English stamp duties, 1734-1764
Date(s): [1764]
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 1 volume containing 33 leaves
Name of creator(s): Harris | J | fl 1764 | financial comptroller
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Stamp duties were first introduced in England in 1694 by an Act of Parliament (5 & 6 William and Mary c.21). It was a form of taxation, originally levied on legal documents, which required them to use stamped paper. This was soon extended to other items, and became used as a method of social control, for example through the taxation of dice to prevent gambling. The creator is possibly James Harris (English philologist, 1709-1780). Trained as a lawyer. MP for the Borough of Christ Church from 1761-1780. Elected Lord of the Admiralty in 1762 and Lord of the Treasury in 1763 (to 1765). Made Secretary and Comptroller General to the Queen in 1774. Wrote Hermes, or a philosophical inquiry concerning universal grammar (1751).
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Manuscript volume containing 'A general abstract of the stamp duties for thirty years, ending the 2nd August 1764, distinguishing each year'. The abstract is signed 'Made out and carefully examined by I Harris, pro Comptroller'.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Single item.
Conditions governing access:
Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Uncatalogued material may not be seen. Please contact the University Archivist for details.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.
Physical characteristics:
Manuscript obling folio.
Finding aids:
Collection level description.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
This manuscript contains the bookplate of William Charles de Meuron Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 7th Earl Fitzwilliam (1872-1943).
Immediate source of acquisition:
Bought from C.W. Traylen in 1951.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.
Date(s) of descriptions: Jun 2001