Reference
Z1392
Title
Records of Bedford Engineering Company (Horace E S Lorton and Allan C. Baker collection)
Archival history
The history of Bedford Engineering Company (existed 1894-1932) and Grafton Cranes (1886-1963) is covered in Steam Railway Cranes by J.S. Brownlie (see our ref Z 992/5/1 for the relevant pages). Grafton Cranes absorbed Bedford Engineering Company in 1932, and were in turn taken over by Taylor and Hubbard Ltd of Leicester in 1965. They ceased trading c1979 and many of their archives are at Leicester Record Office
This collection (Z 1392) was assembled by Horace E. S. Lorton (1899-1980) who started work with the Bedford Engineering Company on 4 August 1914 as an office junior (see Z 1392/1/1-2 for more information on the man and his collection). Most of the photographs are of crane contracts; an exception is Z 1392/2/13 which shows the factory interior, c.1914.
The main surviving archives at BLARS relating to the two firms are summarised below. Please consult catalogues before ordering
Grafton Cranes:
Plans and technical drawings of works, premises and plant, 1893-1954. circa 145 (ref: Z 331/1).
Contract photographs of cranes, 1926-1958. circa 26 (ref: Z 791/41-66)
Main collection, including order books and crane registers, c1880-1962 (ref: Z 1473)
Bedford Engineering Co.
Technical drawings of cranes etc. 1895-1931, circa 200 (ref: Z 331/2-3)
Contract photographs and drawings, c1910-1916. circa 75 (this catalogue, ref: Z 1392)
Level of description
fonds