The Handwritten Book-Keeping Records of Henry Dodd

A fascinating 1832 manuscript account book from the English businessman Henry Dodd, providing a detailed account of daily transactions. The 1832 book-keeping records of English businessman Henry Dodd. He was a true self made man starting as a ploughboy in London.Entries for ashes for sums totalling into the thousands of pounds.Henry Dodd, was a Thames Bargeman who is believed to have inspired the Dickens character in Our Mutual Friend, Mr. Boffin, and was nicknamed 'the golden dustman' in his time.This is an early receipt book in his career but even then considerable sums were changing handsHenry Dodd 1801-1888 was a 'scavenger' sorting rubbish and delivering it to works on the shores of the Thames where it was burned. He later diversified into brick making.Dodd started, funded and supported the famous Thames Barge races.Consisting of Dodd's ledgers and waste book, detailing in rough form daily receipts and expenditure, by order of occurrence.Beginning with a ten line handwritten poem titled 'Rules in Bookkeeping' what follows are seven 'sets' of waste books, journals and ledgers, concerning the first three months of the year 1832.While Dodd's business is not mentioned here, he accounts for substantial monthly sums exchanged with individuals names Dr. Thomas Sherlock, Dr. Ebenezer Grimshaw and Dr. Robert Smith, who purchase items including ashes, brandy, staves and salt.A January 'contra' entry refers to items including opium, herring, port wine, malt spirits, staves, and ashes.With Henry Dodd's name appearing to the verso of the front wrap.A fascinating insight into nineteenth century book-keeping and a piece of Victorian history. In paper wraps. Significant discolouration and handling marks, with losses to back strip head and tail, and edge wear to wrap perimeters. Internally, final gathering detached, otherwise firmly bound. Light handling marks throughout, with pages generally clean and bright. Good.…