Book records the history of one of the former owners of the Grantham Journal
Robert Brownlow has written a fascinating early history of one of Grantham’s best know auctioneers, who for several decade were the owners of the Grantham Journal.
The book, titled ‘Escritt and Barrell, Auctioneers and Estate Agents, A History’, documents the history of the auctioneer and estate agent firm.
The book covers the partnership of Henry Escritt and C.F. Barrell and the growth of Grantham in the period between 1861 and 1920. Escritt was the owner and proprietor of the Grantham Journal for several decades, following his move to the area in 1861.
This is Mr Brownlow’s fourth published book. He previously published two walking books in Melton and South Kesteven, as well as a tale of a Lincolnshire auctioneer.
Originally from Melton Mowbray, but currently living in Castle Bytham, Mr Brownlow worked at the firm from 1955, all the way to his retirement in 2010. In that time, he did everything from selling sheep in the cattle market to estate agency and valuations.
He said:“Escritt and Barrell have a really interesting history.
“I was fortunate to be an auctioneer and estate agent when it was possible to work in many different areas, and I hope the astonishing diversity of the profession is brought out in this book.
“Things are very different now. This diversity is particularly evident in the amazing variety of lots included in the firm’s sales of furniture and chattles over the years, so I have listed them in some detail.”
Robert self-published “Escritt and Barrell, a history”, which documents the firm within the context of a growing Grantham in the years following and preceding the turn of the 20th century.
When elaborating on his motivations for writing the book, Robert wrote: “As I started my research, I realised that aspects of the firm’s work are of local historic value, and hope that readers will find it interesting.
“For instance, many public houses have vanished over the years, so I have recorded their names as often as possible.
“Stephen Short, the present senior partner of the firm, mentioned to me a few years ago that a history of the firm would be a good idea.”
Seeing the play “War Horse” was also amongst Robert’s inspiration to write the book: “It reminded me that those wonderful animals were sold in Grantham market and went across to the First World War.
“I chose to stop the book at the year 1920, as I didn’t want it to become too repetitive. In that year there was a massive land sale of Belvoir estate. I thought that was a good place to stop.”
The 1920 sale of a large portion of the Belvoir estate, requested by the then Duke of Rutland, saw 13,300 acres offered in 640 lots to a range of public and private buyers. The massive four-day auction took place at the Corn Exchange, Melton Mowbray, realising a grand total of £300,000. That figure would amount to millions of pounds in today’s economy.
Mr Brownlow said: “I’ve taken my time writing it. It’s been two to three years of gentle work.
“It was very useful that there were old ledgers dating all the way back from the firm’s very first day of sales in
1861.”
In his acknowledgements, he wrote: “I am particularly grateful to the proprietors of the Grantham Journal who have allowed me to quote freely from their columns. Without their cooperation, this would not have been possible.”
He also praises the loving support and encouragement of his wife Mary, whilst thanking local historians Dr John Manterfield and Ruth Crook.
‘Escritt & Barrell, a history’ will be available to buy at WHSmith in Grantham.
