Andrew Alpern collection of Indentures on Vellum, 17th - 19th century

Appears to be a statement of a property transaction (perhaps a lease or a deed or a claim (abbreviations after the two names could be for plaintiff and defendant) between two named men, with a tally of things including (apparently) 1 messuage, 2 ?, 1 ?, 1 orchard?, 1 garden, 10 acres ?, 5 acres of ?, 30 acres of pasture?, 6 acres of wood?, with a third name at the end (perhaps a signature). This endorsement appears to be dated 2 Ann, i.e., 1703.

Dimensions: 4" x 15"

Dimensions: 7.6" x 11.7"

Dimensions: 6.8" x 10.2"

Apparently a probate form. The whole with pendant seal (presumably of the testatrix) attached.

Dimensions: 5.7" x 7"

Re. a property in parish of Saint Martins in the Fields in the county of Middlesex for a term of seven years at an annual rent of £30, 1756. Folded up at the bottom to accommodate a red wax heraldic seal, with tax stamps affixed.

Dimensions: Approximately 27" x 31"

Dimenions: 16" x 16.5"

English, on watermarked laid paper, signed and sealed by Sheriff David Woods deeding to John Law Junior for $19 a property at West Camden in the town of Salem in Washington County that was seized from John Gerred to satisfy an adjudicated debt of $477.86 plus $14.43 damages.

Dimensions: 12" x 15"

On the surrender by Edward Foster of a copyhold interest in certain lands to the use of said John Pearse. 1808, with a rubber stamp and with a tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 10" x 24"

For a term of 45 years from 24 June 1824 at an annual rent of £180, 1824, two membranes, the first (bottom) one folded up to enclose the second and tied together with cords, with a dimensioned plan showing the ground floor of the building and identifying the abutting owners, with two red wax seals and with two tax stamps affixed. This is one of the original houses on Nash's Regent Street Crescent. All those houses were taken down when their leases expired and replaced with the present commercial buildings.

Dimensions: 23" x 29"

(Three membranes the largest one folded up at the bottom to enclose the other two, with four red wax seals and with three tax stamps affixed. This assignment refers to an indenture of 1764 involving property at Maros Still, Parish of Bishopstoke, County of Southampton, and an agreement of 1814 involving the same property, with various rights of redemption and reversions involving various other persons.)

Dimensions: 23" x 28"

For one year for a rent of one peppercorn to convert to possession the uses of that property which said lessees previously held, thereby enabling them to accept the release of the reversion and remainder right of the Lease and thereby to own the property (a way of transferring ownership without the necessity of registering a deed and thereby making the transaction public), 1826, including a folded-up bottom edge (held with two small ties), with a red wax seal and with tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 17" x 27"

The seventh house on the south side of Ferdinand Place reckoned from the Western End, for a term of 96 years from 29 September 1837 at a clear net yearly rent of two pounds, plus the obligation to complete, finish, and fit up the said house and land and maintain it in specific good repair, 1839, two membranes, the first (bottom) one folded up at the bottom to enclose the other and sewn together with tied tapes, with a dimensioned and colored site plan identifying the adjoining lessee, with a red wax seal and with a tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 22" x 27"

For the remaining term of eighty-eight years wanting five days from 9 September 1838, dated 1842, folded up at the bottom and tied with two cords, with two red wax seals and with one tax stamp affixed. This is the first of three succeeding documents involving the same property.

Dimensions: 27" x 27"

Dated 1843, folded up at the bottom and tied with two cords, with two red wax seals and with one tax stamp affixed. This document recites the existence of the immediately preceding document, by which the lessor acquired the property.

Dimensions: 23" x 27"

For one part and Frederick Braithwaite, Henry Pelley Hinde, and Charles Stone of the other part covering described property in the Parish of Saint Pancras in the county of Middlesex, dated 1843.With red wax seal and with tax stamp affixed. This document describes the same property as in the immediately preceding document, and both are dated the same 30 December 1843.

Dimensions: 14" x 15"

With tax stamp affixed and two rubber stamps.

Dimensions: 18" x 24"

With tax stamp affixed and two rubber stamps.

Dimensions: 14" x 19"

With tax stamp affixed and two rubber stamps.

Dimensions: 14" x 19"

English, bearing a tax stamp and with four wax seals by the four signatures.

Dimensions: 18" x 24" folding once to 18" x 12"

English. It is odd that this document is so much later than the prior one. If she received the property in 1879, why was she admitted to the rolls of the Manor only after eight years.

Dimensions: 19" x 12"

Preprinted form with fill-ins in ink, the bottom turned up for the attachment of a pendant wax seal, with tax stamp affixed and with rubber date stamp. If Charles died in 1836, why did it take 18 years before letters of administration were granted to Edward? Had the son merely taken over the possessions and property of his father when he died, and needed official recognition only when it came time to transfer the property?

Dimensions: 10" x 12"

Each lease from James Phillips Fletcher, Stephen Phillips the younger, and Henry Phillips Whisson (devisees in Trust under the will of Stephen Phillips, deceased) to John Vandershiys Scantlebury (builder), for a term of 99 years beginning on 25 March 1862 at an annual rent of one peppercorn if demanded, 1865, (21"x 26") with bottom folded up and tied with blue cord, each with red wax seal and with tax stamp affixed. These are preprinted forms with manuscript additions, and each with a site plan with the particular house and lot.dimensioned and colored. Each lease requires the lessee to complete the finishing and fitting up of the house, build the road to the centerline, lay down the sidewalk, sewers etc., and maintain the house as is customary. Each assignment ot the lease requires the approval of the lessor and the payment of one guinea, but there is no mention of rent other than the peppercorn. There must be a related additional agreement that will yield recompense to the lessor once the lessee has completed each house and sold it, as the arrangement otherwise makes no economic sense. It is also odd that the lease term begins three years prior than the date of the lease. It may be that the lessee had already finished the work and was ready to sell the houses to identified buyers, with these leases necessary to complete the documentation.

Two now-deceased Eyres in 1846 entered into a lease agreement with James Sharpe to which this property was partially subject. As Richard Nation had become entitled to the benefit of that earlier agreement, this present lease was made. The lease requires that the lessee make very specific improvements to the property to create a pleasure garden and replace an existing greenhouse with a new one, and erect also a building for a billiard room, lavatory, and wine store, and may not erect any other buildings on the property nor let it out to an laundress or washerwoman nor for use as a tavern or tea drinking house or for the sale of wine, ale, beer, or liquor, except as is used in connexion with the Knight of St. John's Tavern or as a receptacle for Lunatics(l). As the rent of one peppercorn makes no economic sense, it is likely that there was a separate Release of the rights of redemption and reversion for which an economic sum was paid. This lease and release was effectively a deed, but one that did not have to be recorded and thus remained not within public knowledge. And there was apparently some other unstated understanding concerning the named tavern and the provision for lunatics.

Dimensions: 22" x 27"

Penciled endorsement noting "now 72 Palshull Road" and for a net clear rent (except for the property tax) of eight pounds per annum, payable quarterly, 1871, with bottom folded up and tied with tapes, with a site plan showing two roads, with the lot and house dimensioned and colored, with a red wax heraldic seal and with a tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 23" x 28"

Annual rent twelve pounds twelve shillings securing £400 for ten years, 1867, with a red wax seal.

Dimensions: 22"x26" folded once to 22" x 13"

With a red paper seal, and with a tax stamp affixed, rubber- stamped on 31 December 1925 by the London Land Registry for registration of the leasehold title.

Dimensions: two membranes, each (15" x 19", sewn together at the fold to form an 8-page gathering 15" x 9").

Securing a loan of £350,1879, folded up at the bottom and sewn with two cords, with a red wax seal and with a tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 22" x 27"

For a term of 14 years commencing 25 March 1841 with a right of termination by the lessee after seven years on six months notice, at a clear net rent of £80 per annum, payable quarterly, 1842, three membranes, the outer folded up at the bottom enclosing the other two, with all sewn together with tied tapes, bearing a red wax seal and with three tax stamps affixed, (the bottom largest membrane). The lease sets forth in specific detail how and when the lessee is to maintain the premises, and the text goes on to inventory the entire house in detail down to materials, trim, equipment and hardware

Dimensions: 23" x 28"

For a term of 21 years with an option on the part of the lessee to terminate after seven years and again after 14 years at a annual rent of £100 during the first year, of £110 during the second year, of £120 during the third year, of £130 during the fourth year, and an annual rent of £140 during each of the years then remaining in the actual term, plus the cost of insurance on the property, 1851, four membranes, the outer folded up at the bottom enclosing the other three, with all sewn together with tied strips of vellum, bearing a red wax seal and with four tax stamps affixed, (the bottom largest membrane). The lease sets forth in specific detail how and when the lessee is to maintain the premises, and the text goes on to inventory the entire house in detail down to materials, trim, equipment, and hardware, including even "lock and key to sash door."

Dimensions: 23" x 28"

For a term of 21 years commencing 25 December 1873 at a clear net rent of £115 per annum, payable quarterly, 1874, four membranes, the outer one folded up at the bottom enclosing the other three, with all sewn together with tied tapes, bearing a red wax seal and with a single tax stamp affixed. The first (bottom) membrane includes a colored dimensioned site plan showing the house and lot, and the text of the lease sets forth in very specific and extensive detail how and when the lessee is to maintain the premises, and the text goes on to inventory the entire house in excruciating detail, describing all the rooms (with dimensions) including the decorative plasterwork, and itemizes all that is in the house, down to all the hardware and equipment (even the servants' WC), described to a level of detail that might suffice for a set of construction specifications

Dimensions: 23" x 27" (the bottom largest membrane)

For a term of 99 years from 5 March 1880 at a rent of one peppercorn for the first quarter-year and thereafter at an annual clear net rent of six pounds, payable quarterly, plus the obligation to complete and finish fit for habitation the house and grounds including erecting a 5-foot high brick wall at the north side of the property, and to keep the premises in specific good repair, 1880, two membranes, the first (bottom) one folded up at the bottom to enclose the other, with the two sewn together with tied tapes, with a dimensioned and colored site plan showing the house and identifying the adjoining land owners, bearing a red wax seal and with a tax stamp affixed and endorsed with a red rubber stamp for the London Land Registry dated 2 July 1920 and a red rubber stamp with crown and ER for H.M. Land Registry London dated 12 November 1958.

Dimensions: 22" x 27"

For a term of 99 years commencing 25 March 1889 at a rent for the first year of a peppercorn and thereafter for three pounds ten shillings per annum, 1889, with a site plan of six adjoining houses with the subject property colored in red, with a red wax seal and with a tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: Two membranes, each 15" x 20", folded once and sewn together to form a gathering of eight pages 15" x 10"

Covering four leasehold properties in Plaistow, Essex given for £560, 1890, preprinted form with specifics inserted in at least three different hands, bearing the embossed seal of the mortgagee, and endorsed to show repayment of the loan in 1898.

Dimensions: 15" x 19" folding once to 15" x 9"

For a loan of £750 covering a leasehold property in Beckenham, Kent, 1891, bearing red wax seal and with tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 15" x 21", folding once to 15" x 10"

From Stanley Howard to the Trustees of the West London and Provincial Permanent Benefit Building Society given for a further £200,1892, with a red paper seal, and bearing a red rubber stamp noting a memorial of the document being registered in the Middlesex Deeds Department of the Land Registry three days later.

Dimensions: 15" x 21", folded once to 15" x 10"

A preprinted form with manuscript insertions, including a site plan colored with watercolor paint showing the entire subdivision and the particular lot being sold, and including restrictions on the use of the property, with wax seals by the three signatures and with a tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 17" x 22", folding once to 17" x 11"

At the direction of George William Reed to Frederick James Flayer for £500, 1899, with a scaled site plan of the subdivision with the subject property colored, with red wax seals by the two primary signatures, and with tax stamps affixed.

Dimensions: 15" x 20", folded once to 15" x 10"

For a newly-created dwelling (constructed by Matthews) at No. 12 Beaumont Crescent, County of Middlesex, for a term of 99 years from 25 December 1882 at an annual rent of £10,1883, pre-printed form with manuscript insertions, with a site plan drawn showing the house and lot (colored with watercolor paint), and curving street, with two red paper seals and with tax stamps affixed.

Dimensions: 17" x 22", folded once to 17" x 11"

For four newly-constructed dwellings (built by Byford) in Dongola Road, Plaistow in the County of Essex, for a term of 99 years from 25 December 1884 at an initial rent for each of the first two years of a peppercorn and thereafter an annual rent for each of the four dwellings of three pounds seven shillings six pence, 1887, pre-printed form with manuscript insertions, with a site plan drawn showing the houses and lots leased out (colored with watercolor paint) and adjoining and nearby houses and two streets, with red paper seal and with tax stamp affixed.

Dimensions: 17" x 23", folded once to 17" x 11"

For a mansion, coach houses, stabling, cottages, gardens, pleasure ground, and appurtenances, known as Drayton Hall, at West Drayton, county of Middlesex, for 14 years from 29 September 1890 at an annual rent of £250, with red wax seals by the two primary signatures and with tax stamps affixed.

Dimensions: 18" x 24", folded once to 18" x 12"

Written in small black nasta'liq with gold margins and divisions, titled (according to the dealer) Mathnavi Dabarah Nasta'in. In four columns on the back, but without the gold lines.

Dimensions: 8" x 5", mounted on mat 10" x 8"