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Auction: 24014 - The Alfred Leonard Fuller of Bath Collection of English Silver Coins and Tokens
Lot: 722

SOMERSET, Bath, Messrs Culverhouse, Orchard and Phipps, Original Deed for the Striking of Bath Tokens, 4 December 1811, The original deed pertaining to the agreement between Charles Culverhouse, Isaac Orchard and James Phipps 'in respect of their striking Bath Tokens'. The deed is written by William Bye Lidiard (1789-1858), solicitor, of Bath and is signed by all three parties. The particulars of the agreement state: 'An agreement made and entered into the fourth day of December One thousand eight hundred and eleven Between Charles Culverhouse Baker Isaac Orchard Upholsterer and James Phipps Boot and Shoe Maker all of Margarets Buildings in the City of Bath as follows…That all the parties hereto mutually agreed to issue Silver Tokens of the nominal value of Four Shillings and two shillings in copartnership with each other and have also agreed that if they should at any time hereafter resolve on issuing any other description of tokens and enter such resolution in the Books of accounts hereinafter named such issue of tokens shall be embraced and included and be subject to all the provisions matters and things named in this agreement'. The agreement goes onto cover the matters of accounting and states that the expenses of production and distribution of the tokens to be split equally between the parties. It concludes by declaring that none of the parties concerned are 'in any way whatever concerned as copartners…in either of the others or others trade or trades…accept only in the subject matter of this present agreement'. Written on foolscap sized paper and with '1810' watermark. With blind embossed revenue stamp 'AGREEMENT 1804 SIXTEEN SHILLINGS' to top right corner.
Accompanying the agreement is a note in the hand of and signed by William Bye Lidiard, dated 23rd December 1811, stating that the agreement is to be lodged with Lidiard for safe keeping.
Some pinmarks down the seem of agreement, otherwise both items in very good condition, a unique and most interesting document relating to the history of these tokens.

Provenance

The Alfred Leonard Fuller of Bath Collection (1870-1941)




Charles Culverhouse was a baker, Issac Orchard was an auctioneer and upholsterer, and James Phipps was a shoemaker. Charles Culverhouse was declared bankrupt in 1823. It should be noted that Culverhouse, Orchard and Phipps did go on to issue a further denomination of these tokens, with the introduction of a Shilling in 1812.

These tokens were advertised as follows in the Bath Chronicle on the 27th February 1812 :

"Base and Spurious Twelvepenny Tokens having for some time incommoded the Public, and it being now discovered that the only Bristol Tokens which freely circulated in this city have been basely imitated to a great extent, we have at length been induced to accede to this presseing solicitations of our friends, and thus announce to the public that they may now be supplied with Silver Shilling Bath Tokens of weight and purity equal, if not superior, to any yet issued.

As our aim has hitherto been, so it will continue to be, to satisfy the public mind and supply them with necessary change of intrinsic worth, as near their nominal value issued can possibly be done without suffering loss by the issue : and the Tokens thus issued will be readily exchanged for Bank Notes in any quantity, at either of our houses - CHARLES CULVERHOUSE, ISAAC ORCHARD, JAMES PHIPPS"

Another advertisement, quoted in "Keene's Bath Journal" on the 1st June 1812 shows the reputation of the tokens in 1812: "Sydney Gardens, Vauxhall, Bath. In honour of His Majesty's Birthday. On Thursday, June 4th, will be A Grand Gala.

To prevent the great inconvenience and delay to the Company at the Gate, and more particular from the present scarcity of change, parties are requested to previously provide themselves with tickets. N.B - No tokens taken but those of Messrs. Garrat & Co. Bristol ; Messrs. Whitmore & Devon, and Messrs. Culverhouse, Orchard & Phipps, Bath."


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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£5