CARTERS TESTED SEEDS COLLECTION

The records consist of 388 advertising publications 1877-1968 referring to agricultural and horticultural seeds, plants and shrubs and a publication printing reference book.

The earliest reference to Carters, as mentioned in their publicity is in 1804. The first annual catalogue however appears in 1837, issued by James Carter of 238 High Holborn. A partnership, styled James Carter and Co., was eventually formed including William Herbert Dunnett and Edward John Beale, being continued by these two partners after Carter's death. James Carter and Co were highly fortunate in their acquisition of both home and foreign royal patrons who by 1880 included the Queen of England together with the Prince of Wales, the Sultan of Turkey, the King of Portugal and the King of Italy. In 1910-1911 a move was made from their cramped premises in High Holborn to Raynes Park in south west London and in 1930 the limited company of Carters Tested Seeds Ltd was registered. It should be noted that both prior to 1930 and afterwards wholesale marketing remained on partnership lines, styled as James Carter, Dunnett and Beale. The Raynes Park premises were closed in 1970.

P Publications, Promotions and Advertising Records

P2 Individual Advertising Publications

P8 Printing Proofs

Open for consultation

Material deposited as a gift, 1970 T70/10

Comipled by Caroline Gould, 20 November 2002

A detailed catalogue is available at the Museum of English Rural Life

Please contact the Archivist