Collection search - Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce fonds [textual record (microform)]

Record information – Brief
1
Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce fonds [textual record (microform)]

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1754-1840.

Reference:

R3804-0-2-E, MG24-D111

Type of material:

Textual material

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

100406

Context of this record:

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Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce fonds
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Record information – Details
Fonds includes:

5 lower level description(s)
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Date(s):

1754-1840.

Place of creation:

England

Extent:

2 microfilm reels negative and positive.

Language of material:

English

Scope and content:

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Fonds consists of Dr. Templeman's transactions, 1754-1757, committee minutes, 1758-1770, manuscript transactions, 1770-1777; guard books, 1775-1770, and loose archives, 1755-1840. This material is located on microfilm reels A-1537 and A-1538.

Provenance:

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Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce

Biography/Administrative history:

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Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce : The Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce was founded in 1754 by William Shipley, a Northampton drawing master interested in philanthropy and practical science. The Society gave rewards of cash or gold or silver medals for "such productions, inventions or improvements as shall tend to the Employing of the Poor, to the Increase of Trade, and to the Riches and Honour of the Kingdom." The Society's funds came from the annual subscription of two guineas its common members paid, and from artistocratic patronage. In 1755, there were 110 members, and by 1760, there were 1,350 members, including "corresponding", non-subscribing members living overseas.

The Society offered a special series of premiums for projects which increased trade between Britain and its colonies, and formed a Committee of Colonies and Trade to administer them. John Pownall, the Secretary to His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, was a regular member of that committee; he was elected one of its two chairmen several times, once sharing the office with Benjamin Franklin. The Society's Colonial programme was thus closely related to official British policy.

The Society offered premiums to Americans who could help reduce British dependence on foreign raw materials. Silk, potash and vines were the three commodities which reaped the greatest amount in rewards for North American entrepreneurs. Immersion experiments to assess American woods' vulnerability to shipworm, projects to start hemp, olive and opium plantations, and the secret of perpetual motion all excited trans-Atlantic correspondence. After 1777, though it continued to correspond with Americans, the Society confined its financial activities to the Canadian colonies. Attempts to establish hemp plantations, developments in the design of tools, and scientific observations dominate the Canadian letters.

Finding aid:

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Textual records: (Microform) Each reel has a descriptive preface containing an index of correspondents, description of the documents, and bibliography.

Additional information:

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General note:

Microfilm received through the London office of the National Archives of Canada.

Location of originals note:

The originals are held by the Curator-Librarian of the Royal Society of Arts, London, U.K.
Subject heading:

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Great Britain - Commerce, 1754-1840 Dr. Templeman, 1754-1757

United States - Commerce, 1754-1840

Associations, institutions, etc., - Great Britain, 1754-1840

Charitable organizations - Great Britain, 1754-1840

Canada

North America
Source:

Private

Former archival reference no.:

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MG24-D111
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Textual records: microform

[Consultation96 Restrictions vary]

Microfilm reel A-1537--A-1538

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Date modified:: 2024-07-24