One of the great pluses of working in a charity shop is the periodic arrival, amongst the donations, of extraordinary objects which require a degree of research to value.
A recent instance of this was the “THE NUMERSTAMP” which is described on its label as “a miniature duplicator”. The equipment consisted of a packet of miniature stencils a metal base plate a couple of stamps and a supply of printer’s ink.
As well as providing an insight into office work of a bygone age this artifact had the added interest in that it was made locally at 74, Manley Road, Whalley Range.
This ingenious device was developed and patented by Harry Sinclair sometime during the early 1920’s and continued to be manufactured in Whalley Range until at least the mid-1950’s (and possibly much later) from the factory on Manley Road and offices at 33, Grosvenor Road.
Harry Sinclair was a self-made man. He was born in Southsea, Hampshire, on 19th December, 1882, to John Wesley Sinclair, an instructor in the Royal Naval College, and Ellen Rebecca (née Lincoln) the daughter of a baker of Southwold, Blything, Suffolk. Harry and his 9 siblings, (7 sisters and 2 brothers) as a consequence of his father’s occupation moved frequently around the naval ports of southern England.
The family finally settled in Spilsby, Lincolnshire when John Wesley took up the post of headmaster of its elementary school. While at Spilsby Harry met and (in the June quarter of 1907) married Vera Fenton Bailey the daughter of Charles Sylvester a hairdresser and tobacconist of the town.
Harry and Vera’s first child Leonard Sylvester was born on 22nd January, 1909 in Spilsby, however by the time of the birth of their daughter Joyce E during the June quarter of 1913 the family had relocated to Manchester.
In the 1939 register, Leonard Sylvester is described as a works manager for an office equipment company.
As he was living at that time on Old Hall Road, Cheadle and Gatley this was very likely his father’s.
Harry died in Manchester during the September quarter of 1951 his wife Vera Fenton passed away also in Manchester in the March quarter of 1976. Leonard Sylvester moved to Malvern, Worcestershire where he died in the June quarter of 1991.
But that wasn't quite the end because Tony then went looking for 74 Manley Road, and this is what he found.
I like it when a plan comes together!
After a brisk walk this morning I was able to take these photos of 74, Manley Road and its immediate environs.
As you can see the size of the property itself is an indication that its former owner must have been a man of some substance.
A second photo shows a view of the rear showing a possible extension but it is not clear of what date this would have been added.
The third picture is of a vacant lot adjacent to the the main building.
This is a significantly large area especially when the area of a newly built property within it is included. I consider that this was the most likely location of Harry Sinclair's factory.
Location; Chorlton and Whalley Range
Pictures. the Number Stamp, 2019, from the collection of Tony Goulding
As well as providing an insight into office work of a bygone age this artifact had the added interest in that it was made locally at 74, Manley Road, Whalley Range.
This ingenious device was developed and patented by Harry Sinclair sometime during the early 1920’s and continued to be manufactured in Whalley Range until at least the mid-1950’s (and possibly much later) from the factory on Manley Road and offices at 33, Grosvenor Road.
Harry Sinclair was a self-made man. He was born in Southsea, Hampshire, on 19th December, 1882, to John Wesley Sinclair, an instructor in the Royal Naval College, and Ellen Rebecca (née Lincoln) the daughter of a baker of Southwold, Blything, Suffolk. Harry and his 9 siblings, (7 sisters and 2 brothers) as a consequence of his father’s occupation moved frequently around the naval ports of southern England.
Harry and Vera’s first child Leonard Sylvester was born on 22nd January, 1909 in Spilsby, however by the time of the birth of their daughter Joyce E during the June quarter of 1913 the family had relocated to Manchester.
As he was living at that time on Old Hall Road, Cheadle and Gatley this was very likely his father’s.
Harry died in Manchester during the September quarter of 1951 his wife Vera Fenton passed away also in Manchester in the March quarter of 1976. Leonard Sylvester moved to Malvern, Worcestershire where he died in the June quarter of 1991.
I like it when a plan comes together!
After a brisk walk this morning I was able to take these photos of 74, Manley Road and its immediate environs.
As you can see the size of the property itself is an indication that its former owner must have been a man of some substance.
A second photo shows a view of the rear showing a possible extension but it is not clear of what date this would have been added.
The third picture is of a vacant lot adjacent to the the main building.
This is a significantly large area especially when the area of a newly built property within it is included. I consider that this was the most likely location of Harry Sinclair's factory.
Location; Chorlton and Whalley Range
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