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Image Not Available for Customer Account Book, 1 February 1944 to 8 December 1944
Customer Account Book, 1 February 1944 to 8 December 1944
Image Not Available for Customer Account Book, 1 February 1944 to 8 December 1944

Customer Account Book, 1 February 1944 to 8 December 1944

Associated (Aberdeen, Scotland, founded c.1834)
Date1944
Object NameBook
Mediumcanvas, card, paper and ink
ClassificationsMedicine and Healthcare
Dimensions34.5 x 23 x 3.5cm
AcquisitionThe George Shepherd Pharmaceutical Collection.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS089029
Keywords
About MeOne of four large customer account books that records all sales during the date range specified. The pages are laid out like ledgers, 2 or 4 names per page, and include the name and address, date, details of sale items and cost. The pages are not alphabetised therefore there must have been a separate index (not in the collection). Most sale items are medicines, but also mentioned are sundries, dressings, soap, whisky, etc. Cream canvas-covered hardback book with paper pages and thread binding.

This object is part of an extensive archive of Davidson & Kay financial records held in the collection. The firm of Davidson & Kay was legally established in 1862, although chemists’ businesses operated at the same premises from the late 18th century. At its height the firm had two branches: one in the city centre at 205 Union Street (subsequently 219 Union Street) and one in the West End at 8 Wellington Place (subsequently 3 Alford Place). In addition to local clientele, a number of royal customers and country estates held accounts with the firm; indeed, a royal warrant was granted by Queen Victoria in 1884. The company traded for most of the 20th century, ceasing business in the late 1970s.

Access to these records is subject to the Data Protection Act (1998).