Printing block used by paint manufacturers, A. Leete & Co.
Printing Block
late 19th century - early 20th century (made)
late 19th century - early 20th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
According to one of its trade price lists, A. Leete & Company was a manufacturer and supplier of 'Paints, Distempers, Colors, Enamels, Varnishes, Polishes, Stains, Painting Brushes' and importers of 'Oils, Chemicals, Greases, Waxes, Gums, Glues, Shellacs & General Drysaltery'. Established in 1826, Leete had a factory in Mansfield Street, off Borough Road in South East London, and offices and a warehouse at 129 London Road, Southwark. The company was probably founded by Alfred Leete, who died in 1889 and whose estate passed in 1890 to his son, also named Alfred (born ca. 1851). In the 1901 census Alfred Leete's profession is given as 'Paint Manufacturer'.
The family-run company continued until at least 1983 when it was operating from the Kent Park Industrial Estate, Ruby Street, London SE15. It provided paint and related items to a range of customers and was well known as a supplier to the theatre industry, which used Leete paints and products for scene painting. The back cover of one of the company's leaflets is printed with an image of the factory and the strap-line, 'Leete's Scenic Colors Are The Best'. A file of business papers held by the V&A’s Department of Theatre and Performance shows that the company supplied paint to the Wimbledon Theatre in 1923 and to the London Festival Ballet in the 1970s. Leete's was still in family hands in 1974 but by 1983 had become part of Tor Coatings Group.
This printing block shows the sale warehouse at Leete's factory. The image was used as an illustration on Leete's trade price lists.
The family-run company continued until at least 1983 when it was operating from the Kent Park Industrial Estate, Ruby Street, London SE15. It provided paint and related items to a range of customers and was well known as a supplier to the theatre industry, which used Leete paints and products for scene painting. The back cover of one of the company's leaflets is printed with an image of the factory and the strap-line, 'Leete's Scenic Colors Are The Best'. A file of business papers held by the V&A’s Department of Theatre and Performance shows that the company supplied paint to the Wimbledon Theatre in 1923 and to the London Festival Ballet in the 1970s. Leete's was still in family hands in 1974 but by 1983 had become part of Tor Coatings Group.
This printing block shows the sale warehouse at Leete's factory. The image was used as an illustration on Leete's trade price lists.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Printing block used by paint manufacturers, A. Leete & Co. (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Metal and wood |
| Brief description | Engraved printing block, showing the sale warehouse in the factory of A. Leete & Co., used for illustration of trade price lists, late 19th - early 20th century |
| Physical description | Printing block, engraved metal plate on wooden block, the plate showing an interior of Leete's factory, with sales counters to left and right, and rows of shelves and cupboards on both walls. Staff at the counters are showing items to customers. At centre stands a man in a top hat. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by A. Leete & Co. Ltd |
| Summary | According to one of its trade price lists, A. Leete & Company was a manufacturer and supplier of 'Paints, Distempers, Colors, Enamels, Varnishes, Polishes, Stains, Painting Brushes' and importers of 'Oils, Chemicals, Greases, Waxes, Gums, Glues, Shellacs & General Drysaltery'. Established in 1826, Leete had a factory in Mansfield Street, off Borough Road in South East London, and offices and a warehouse at 129 London Road, Southwark. The company was probably founded by Alfred Leete, who died in 1889 and whose estate passed in 1890 to his son, also named Alfred (born ca. 1851). In the 1901 census Alfred Leete's profession is given as 'Paint Manufacturer'. The family-run company continued until at least 1983 when it was operating from the Kent Park Industrial Estate, Ruby Street, London SE15. It provided paint and related items to a range of customers and was well known as a supplier to the theatre industry, which used Leete paints and products for scene painting. The back cover of one of the company's leaflets is printed with an image of the factory and the strap-line, 'Leete's Scenic Colors Are The Best'. A file of business papers held by the V&A’s Department of Theatre and Performance shows that the company supplied paint to the Wimbledon Theatre in 1923 and to the London Festival Ballet in the 1970s. Leete's was still in family hands in 1974 but by 1983 had become part of Tor Coatings Group. This printing block shows the sale warehouse at Leete's factory. The image was used as an illustration on Leete's trade price lists. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.32-1988 |
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| Record created | July 17, 2019 |
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