1903 Thos Lea & Co London Railway Coal Merchant Illustrated Invoice
Description
An original 1903 illustrated billhead invoice from Thos. Lea & Company, Coal Merchants, headquartered at 5 Coal Office, Metropolitan Railway, Willesden Green, N.W. (with depots at Regent's Park Basin Wharves, L.& N.W. Ry. West Hampstead, Cambridge Street King's Cross, and Great Central Ry. Marylebone). Issued on August 29th, 1903, to Mrs Langley of 17 Biddulph Mansions, the handwritten document details a delivery for "2 Ton Best Kitchen Coal @ 22/-", totaling £2 4s 0d. The header features a detailed industrial engraving showing steam locomotives, railway tracks, coal pitheads, and canal barges. An original red Edward VII One Penny stamp is affixed at the bottom, overprinted "Received for Thos Lea & Co", signed by G. Brown, and dated 22/10/1903.
Background Information
Thos. Lea & Company were prominent London coal merchants who operated a network of coal depots along major railway yards and canal basins across North and West London, including the Metropolitan Railway line at Willesden Green and West Hampstead. Coal merchants were essential service providers at the turn of the century, supplying domestic heating and cooking fuel in bulk to Victorian and Edwardian residential properties and mansion blocks.
Condition Report
Item displays light handling wear, faint original horizontal folding crease, and mild uniform age toning. Please note that this item was removed from a photograph album, leaving visible paper glue mounting strips on the reverse; it remains pasted down to the original album cardboard backing and cannot be removed without risking destruction to the invoice. See Photos for Condition
Shipping Information
Carefully packaged in a protective sleeve to ensure safe delivery. Shipped securely in a rigid mailer to prevent bending or damage during transit.
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