Gillow archives

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} thumb|A sample page thumb|A chair built to the design above The '''Gillow archives''' are the commercial records and design books of Gillows of Lancaster and London; they are one of the largest and longest collection of records of any cabinet-maker to have survived.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Gillow Family|url=http://www.leightonhall.co.uk/page/95/The-Gillow-Family.htm|publisher=Leighton Hall, Lancashire|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>

They consist of Estimate books, Estimate sketch-books and accounts.

Between 1731 and 1850 about 137 apprentices were bound almost exclusively to the firm in Lancaster.{{sfn|Stuart|2008|p=71}}

The record books remained in Lancaster from 1729 to 1961. In 1966 the announcement that the archive was to be sold to a private buyer, and the records were to leave the country caused a storm of protest. PK Thornton, of the Department of furniture at the Victoria and Albert Museum, successfully organised an objection to the export licence. They were then purchased by Westminster City Libraries,<ref>Notes to the 1969 Lancaster Gillow exhibition. Held by Judges' Lodgings Museum.</ref> and they are divided between the City of Westminster Archives Centre and the Lancashire Archives.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Discovery Service |url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F184961 |website=discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives}}</ref>

==References==

===Noteslist=== {{reflist|2}}

===Bibliography=== *{{cite book|title=Gillows of Lancaster and London|first=Susan E|last=Stuart|publisher=Antique Collectors' Club|year=2008}}

==External links== {{commons category|Collections of the Judges' Lodgings, Lancaster}} * [http://new.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/judges-lodgings.aspx Judges' Lodgings, Lancaster] - official site

Category:Archives in the City of Westminster Category:Archives in Lancashire