GUIDE TO

THE HENRY HUSBANDS ARCHIVE

IN THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

Helen Yoxall 1999 CONTENTS

Provenance Note 3

Biographical Note 4

Item List 5 PROVENANCE NOTE

The Henry Husbands archive was purchased by the Museum at the Christie’s sale of 17 August 1998 in Sydney. The catalogue says the material “was recently discovered in Husbands former Bristol premises” (Christie’s catalogue, 17 August 1998, lot 109, p.34). COLLECTED ARCHIVES BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Registration Number: 98/187/2

Creator: Husbands, Henry

Henry Husbands was an optician and manufacturer of engineering and mathematical instruments in Bristol, England.

The business operated as "Henry Husbands" at 8 St Augustines Parade, Bristol (at the corner of Denmark Street) from at least 1871 to 1898. In the 1860s the business name was Messrs Husbands and Clarke of Denmark Street, Bristol (see reverse of 98/187/2-3). By 1898, the company name was H. Husbands & Sons (see 98/187/2-55). The company existed until at least 1913 (see 98/187/2-56).

A 1870s letterhead gives the range of Husbands' business as "Optician, &c. Manufacturer of compound achromatic microscopes, and accessories; astronomical, naval, military, and tourists' telescopes; opera, race, and marine glasses; Metford's improved traversing theodolites; Gravatt's dumpy levels; photographic lenses of every description; portrait, landscape and stereoscopic cameras, stands &c; engineers' and architects' scales and rules in ivory and boxwood; standard barometers and thermometers; all kinds of mathematical, optical and meteorological instruments. Spectacles to suit all defects of vision." (See reverse of 98/187/2-50.)

A 1898 letterhead (98/187/2-55) indicates that the business received the following awards: medal 1851 Paris medal, 1855 Gold Medal, Melbourne International Exhibition, 1881 Dundee, Highest Award, 1882 Diplomists: Worshipful Compy. Spectacle Makers, London, 1893 Sheffield, Silver Medal, 1895

Some of his clients were the English engineers Henry Marc , William Froude and John G. Gamble and the Surveyor General of New South .

Henry Husbands visited Australia in 1881 for the Melbourne International Exhibition where he won a Gold Medal for his improved version of the Metford thoedolite, developed by William Ellis Metford (1824-1899). He was in Australia again 1883-84 settling business matters with his sons.

Henry's two sons, William Samuel Husbands and Charles Frederick Husbands, both opticians, were in business in Melbourne. William operated from 81 Queen Street, having purchased the business and stock-in-trade of a mathematical and meteorological instrument maker, John Grimoldi. Charles's business was in Bourke Street and from legal documents in the archive, was involved in a dispute with his father over the ownership of William's business. COLLECTED ARCHIVES ITEM LIST

Series Title:

Item Number Item Title Box

98/187/2-1 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from Henry Marc Brunel 1 in Torquay, 19 December 1870, giving Husbands instructions regarding the new level Husbands is making for Mr Froude. H.M. Brunel was the son of the noted engineer . 'Mr Froude' is probably William Froude (1810-1879), engineer and naval architect, who was a colleague of I.K. Brunel and lived at Torquay.

98/187/2-2 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from John G. Gamble in 1 Brighton, 25 February 1871, asking at what price and how soon Husbands could supply him with a seven inch Metford theodolite to his specifications

98/187/2-3 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to John G. 1 Gamble in Brighton, 6 March 1871, informing Gamble he could make the Metford theodolite to his specifications and giving him the price

This draft letter is written on the reverse of an old invoice from John Hall & Sons, plate glass manufacturers, Broadmead, Bristol to Messrs Husbands and Clarke, Denmark Street, 13 July 1866, for the suppy of plate glass.

98/187/2-4 Documents (4 pages), by Henry Husbands, [1871?], containing 1 notes, figures and sketches presumably regarding the Metford theodolite Husbands is making for John G. Gamble

98/187/2-5 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from John G. Gamble in 1 Brighton, 19 April 1871, inquiring how soon the Metford theodolite Husbands is making for him will be ready and giving further instructions

98/187/2-6 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from John G. Gamble in 1 Brighton, 23 April 1871, giving further instructions regarding the Metford theodolite Husbands is making for him

98/187/2-7 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from John G. Gamble in 1 Brighton, 30 April 1871, giving further instructions regarding the Metford theodolite Husbands is making for him and saying that Mr Brunel is bringing Husbands some level legs to copy

98/187/2-8 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from John G. Gamble in 1 Brighton, 5 May 1871, giving further instructions regarding the Metford theodolite Husbands is making for him, including the incorporation of Mr Brunel's suggestions

98/187/2-9 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from Henry Marc Brunel 1 in Westminster, 24 May 1871, giving further instructions regarding the Metford theodolite Husbands is making for John G. Gamble Item Number Item Title Box

98/187/2-10 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from Henry Marc Brunel 1 in Westminster, 26 May 1871, asking him to call to discuss the arrangement of the side eyepiece for the Metford theodolite that Husbands is making for John G. Gamble

98/187/2-11 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from James M. Dobson in 1 Westminster, 20 August 1877, regarding a level that Husbands has just sent him and another he is currently making

98/187/2-12 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to James M. 1 Dobson in Westminster, 21 August 1877, about the level he has just sent him and the one currently being made

98/187/2-13 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from S. Moyle in 1 Westminster, 21 August 1877, requesting that the level Mr Dobson has ordered for him be made in gunmetal not brass, if gunmetal is superior

98/187/2-14 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to S. Moyle in 1 Westminster, 22 August 1877, about the differences in using gunmetal or brass for the level he has ordered

98/187/2-15 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from James M. Dobson in 1 Westminster, 30 August 1877, asking him to send the level to Mr Moyle and saying he will write to Husbands later about his own level

98/187/2-16 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from S. Moyle in 1 Westminster, 30 August 1877, with further instructions regarding the level Husbands is making for him

98/187/2-17 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to S. Moyle in 1 Westminster, 31 August 1877, asking if he will accept the brass level as ordered rather than the gunmetal one which is now required for another customer

98/187/2-18 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from P. Henderson in 1 Westminster, 8 May 1878, about instruments to be displayed at the Paris Exhibition

98/187/2-19 Leaflet, printed, 'The Melbourne International Exhibition of 1 1880. The Metford Theodolite and Level Combined, Mounted on the Froud, Metford Ball Motion Staff Head', 1880.

The leaflet includes an endorsement by W.E. Metford of the improvements made by Henry Husbands to his theodolite.

98/187/2-20 Document, printed, 'Report on measurement of base of 1 verification', written by Mr W.J. Conder, Superintendent of Trigonometrical Surveyors for the Surveyor General, Sydney, 20 January 1881. In the margin of page 1 is a manuscript annotation [in William Ellis Metford's hand?] relating to the cast-iron rod used as a unit of measurement at the time. Item Number Item Title Box

98/187/2-21 Diagram, printed, of double telescope used in Trigonometrical 1 Survey of New South Wales, [c1881]. Annotated 'Microscope adopted in measuring the base of verification' in the Trigonometrical Survey of New South Wales. The object is to prevent contact &c'

98/187/2-22 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Melbourne from Philip Adams, 1 the Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, 17 February 1881, asking him to send samples of his theodolites recently displayed at the Melbourne International Exhibition to Sydney for inspection and testing

98/187/2-23 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Melbourne from Philip Adams, 1 the Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, 9 May 1881, forwarding Surveyor Joseph Brooks' report on the two Metford theodolites, ordering illuminators and clips and indicating he may purchase theodolites

98/187/2-24 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Sydney from Philip Adams, the 1 Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, 12 May 1881, acknowledging receipt of his tender for 4 three and a half inch Metford theodolites, accepting same and enclosing a copy of the tender and specification

98/187/2-25 Letter, from Henry Husbands in Sydney to Philip Adams, the 1 Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, 13 May 1881, stating that the price quoted for the Metford theodolites was conditional on their delivery to the Agent-General in London, not to the colony.

Annotated in the margin with Adams' acceptance of this condition.

98/187/2-26 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Sydney from Philip Adams, the 1 Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, 18 May 1881, stating that he will accept any reasonable charge for the delivery of the theodolites

98/187/2-27 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from Philip Adams, the 1 Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, 22 July 1881, forwarding specification of five inch theodolites

The specification no longer accompanies the letter.

98/187/2-28 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to Philip Adams, 1 the Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, [late 1882], stating he has forwarded the four Metford theodolites and reflectors to his agent in Sydney

98/187/2-29 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to his agent T.B. 1 Wilkinson in Sydney, [late 1882], re invoices for the theodolites

98/187/2-30 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from William Ellis 1 Metford in Bristol, [10th?] January 1883, commenting on the surveyors pocket book issued by the New South Wales Surveyor General's Office Item Number Item Title Box

98/187/2-31 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from William Ellis 1 Metford in Bristol, 12 January 1883, advising him on the new theodolite

98/187/2-32 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from Philip Adams, the 1 Surveyor General of New South Wales in Sydney, 4 May 1883, enclosing a copy of a report by Surveyor Joseph Brooks on the theodolites received from Husbands and stating that they are not to specification

98/187/2-33 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from William Ellis 1 Metford in Bristol, 25 July 1883, regarding the theodolite limbs sent to James Parsons

98/187/2-34 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from James Parsons in 1 London, 25 July 1883, sending him the four inch theodolite

98/187/2-35 Letter, from James Parsons in London to William Ellis Metford 1 in Bristol, July 1883, referring to an accompanying letter (not present) and saying his son will write to Henry Husbands

98/187/2-36 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from James Parsons in 1 London, 27 July 1883, regarding Husbands' complaint re the two small theodolites.

Signed by Parsons, though the letter is in another hand.

98/187/2-37 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from William Ellis 1 Metford in Bristol, 31 July 1883, re James Parsons

98/187/2-38 Document, handwrittten, 'Theodolite Adjustments', William 1 Ellis Metford, n.d. [1880s?]

98/187/2-39 Document, handwrittten, 'Final adjustments of theodolite', 1 William Ellis Metford, 5 August [1880s?]

98/187/2-40 Document, printed, affidavit of Henry Husbands in the matter 1 of the arbitration between Charles Frederick Husbands and Henry Husbands, in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, 22 August 1884

98/187/2-41 Document, printed, affidavit of Michael Philip Fox in the 1 matter of the arbitration between Charles Frederick Husbands and Henry Husbands, in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, 27 August 1884

98/187/2-42 Document, printed, affidavit of Philip David Phillips in the 1 matter of the arbitration between Charles Frederick Husbands and Henry Husbands, in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, 27 August 1884

98/187/2-43 Document, printed, affidavit of Charles Frederick Husbands in 1 the matter of the arbitration between Charles Frederick Husbands and Henry Husbands, in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, 1 September 1884 Item Number Item Title Box

98/187/2-44 Document, printed, affidavit of Andrew Lyell in the matter of 1 the arbitration between Charles Frederick Husbands and Henry Husbands, in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, 1884

98/187/2-45 Document, handwritten, declaration by Henry Husbands in 1 opposition to the affidavit made by Charles Frederick Husbands, 1884

98/187/2-46 Letter, with envelope, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from Sir 1 Saul Samuel, the Agent-General for New South Wales, London, 22 September 1885, enclosing a form of tender for the manufacture and supply of twelve Husbands traversing stands

98/187/2-47 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to the 1 Agent-General for New South Wales, London, [24 September 1885], submitting his tender for the making of twelve traversing stands

98/187/2-48 Letter, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from Sir Saul Samuel, 1 the Agent-General for New South Wales, London, 25 September 1885, accepting his tender for the manufacture and supply of twelve Husbands traversing stands

98/187/2-49 Draft of telegram message, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to 1 the Agent-General for New South Wales, in London, 28 September 1885, asking for a copy of the drawings and specification of the theodolite stand

98/187/2-50 Draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to the 1 Agent-General for New South Wales, in London, 28 September 1885, asking for the drawings and specification of the theodolite stand

98/187/2-51 Memorandum, with envelope, to Henry Husbands in Bristol 1 from the Agent-General for New South Wales, in London, 29 September 1885, enclosing specification and drawings of the Husbands traversing stands.

98/187/2-51/1 Memorandum, with envelope, to Henry Husbands in Bristol 1 from the Agent-General for New South Wales, in London, 29 September 1885, enclosing specification and drawings of the Husbands traversing stands

98/187/2-51/2 Specification of the Husbands traversing stands 1

98/187/2-51/3 Envelope for specification of the Husbands traversing stands 1

98/187/2-51/4 Drawing, ink and watercolour, 'Details of Husband's 1 traversing stand for theodolite (modified)', 1885

98/187/2-51/5 Drawing, ink on linen, 'Details of Husband's traversing stand 1 for theodolite (modified)', 1885 Item Number Item Title Box

98/187/2-52 Fragment of draft letter, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to 1 the Agent-General for New South Wales, in London, 28 October 1885, stating that the theodolite stands will be ready be the end of next week

98/187/2-53 Memorandum, to Henry Husbands in Bristol from the 1 Agent-General for New South Wales, in London, 29 October 1885, asking for invoice, specification and weight, dimension and packing details of the theodolite stands, with Husbands' draft reply attached

Page 3 is written on the reverse of an unused invoice of Husbands and Clarke, 186-, 8 Augustines Parade, corner of Denmark Street.

98/187/2-54 Memorandum, from Henry Husbands in Bristol to the 1 Agent-General for New South Wales, in London, 7 November 1885, guaranteeing the workmanship and materials of the theodolite stands

98/187/2-55 Letter, from H. Husbands & Sons to D. Travers Burges, 1 Council House, 14 February 1898, about the sale of their Hanover and Denmark Street, Bristol property

98/187/2-56 Letter, to Messrs Husbands & Sons from R.S. Griffin, District 1 Secretary of the Operatives' Trade & Provident Society, Bristol, 9 September 1913, thanking them for the display of pictures last Saturday