Item YPS/5 - Private Journal of Henry Alfred Offer, Manager of the Castle Street Working Boys' Home

Identity area

Reference code

YPS/5

Title

Private Journal of Henry Alfred Offer, Manager of the Castle Street Working Boys' Home

Date(s)

  • 1867-1872 (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

1 volume, Album

Context area

Name of creator

Archival history

Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers purchased the volume from another dealer who obtained the volume as part of a large sale from a member of the Hogg family.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Private Journal of Henry Alfred Offer, Manager of the Castle Street Working Boys' Home, 15 Hanover Street, Long Acre WC.

The ledger begins with the record of its gift to Offer and contains a signed photograph of Hogg. The inscription suggests that the volume was given in 1870 but Offer transcribes his earlier entries, continuing until December 1872, with a partial index at the end. A note in the author's hand requests that the volume be returned to Hogg in the event of the author's death.

After notes on the plan of the volume, lists of emigrants and apprentices, there is a note on the Offer family, indicating the Author's birth in 1845. The text from Jan 1867 sets out Offer's vocation, describing the opening of the 'Home' by Hogg on 15 June 1867, listing the boys admitted and photographs of many of the boys are inserted. There are candid comments on the boys and their families. Offer records the setting up of a Shoe Black Society and changes in domestic staff and the fates of various boys. March 1872 includes a long discourse on baptism.

Names have been underlined in red ink, and many of the photographs are identified. There are a few faint pencil corrections and annotations in an unknown hand.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

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Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Status: Open. Access is subject to signing the Regulations for Access form, unless the records are restricted under the Data Protection Act 2018 or under exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

    Script of material

      Language and script notes

      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Physical description: Folio. 301pp + index leaves; 420 mm x 310 x 50 approx. Manuscript with pasted photographs throughout; red roan title label on front board.

      Condition: Excellent

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