The development of London livery companies: an historical essay and a select bibliography

Baker Library, Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, Boston, first edition, 1960. Printed wrappers, paper cover-label, 4to, 26 cm,. viii, 104 pp, 1 plate. From the introduction: ".. the contents of this Brochure represent - both in importance and character -precisely that blend of bibliographical and historical knowledge which it is our aim to advance. The London Livery Companies, in their longevity and their balance of business and social functions, are unique institutions. More than this, their significance in the economic and social history of both London and England is a further reason why they merit intensive study. A multitude of scholars have acknowledged these facts - but all too few have labored in this particular vine-yard. Mr. Kahl, in his bibliography and his introductory essay, demonstrates beyond disproof that it is a fertile one. Commencing as medieval guilds, the Livery Companies have retained their corporate strength for 500 years by a constant realignment of their economic, social, fraternal, and religious functions. From one viewpoint, therefore, they provide a microcosm of historical change in the business organization and the non-economic roles of London's leading entrepreneurs. From another, they illustrate the strength which adaptability brings to human institutions. And from a third, because of the nature of their membership and functions, they illuminate many strands of development which comprise the larger fields of English history. The shortage of good studies of the Livery Companies is matched (if not explained) by the absence of any survey of the materials available in the field. Our original intention was solely to satisfy the latter need. And this, we hope, has been effectively achieved by the select bibliography of companies which comprises the second part of the Brochure. We believe that this is the first such list in print. In addition, however, it became apparent that there was some need for a descriptive essay, surveying the historical framework of Company organization — an essay which would explain those evolving characteristics of Livery Companies which gave them their strength and importance. The introduction to the bibliography is intended to fill this gap. Mr. Kahl has placed scholars in his debt not only by undertaking the painful task of bibliographical research, but by delineating the history of Livery Companies with a fresh and fruitful insight. Good.