Guide to the Records of the Wellcome Foundation (as filmed by the AJCP)
M2536 - M2538
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2018
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Wellcome Foundation
- Title
- Records of the Wellcome Foundation (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- 1882 - 1986
- Collection Number
- M2536 - M2538
- Extent
- 89 items
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Australian Joint Copying Project
- Sponsor
- The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) online portal was created with the assistance of the Australian Public Service Modernisation Fund, 2017-2020. The National Library of Australia gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the other foundation AJCP partners, the State Library of New South Wales and The National Archives of the UK, and all other organisations which supported the work of the AJCP, the world's most extensive collaborative copying project, operating from 1948 to 1997.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, notes, memoranda, financial papers, minutes of meetings, cuttings and notebooks relating to the company's activities in Australia and New Zealand. Subjects include: drug trials; value and problems of conducting drug trials in Australia and New Zealand; and sales and exports. Correspondents include J.D. Spink, S.M. Burroughs, E.W. Wrigley, A.B. Hector, Capt. R.F. Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton.
The material was filmed selectively.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use
Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the Wellcome Trust (https://wellcome.ac.uk/).
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
Archival History
Material selectively filmed at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Heritage Archives, Middlesex, as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project, 1990 (AJCP Reels M2536 - M2538). Original microfilm digitised as part of the AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
Wellcome Library, part of the Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE (formerly Wellcome Foundation, Glaxco Wellcome, Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex).
For further information see Wellcome Library and Archives (https://wellcomelibrary.org/).
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn781894] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Finding-aid Notes
This finding aid is a revised online version of the original finding aid prepared by the Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP), published by the National Library of Australia in 2018. The original AJCP finding aids were unpublished typescripts or photocopies available from libraries that held copies of the original microfilm.
Dates used in this finding aid refer to the date range of the records selected for filming rather than to the date range of the Series or Files.
Pieces that were not filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project have not been included in this Finding Aid.
The identifiers used in this finding aid were accurate at the time of filming. They have been kept to preserve the historical context of the collection.
Subjects
Australia; Burroughs Wellcome & Company; Burroughs, S.M.; Business records; Hector, A.B.; Manufacturers; New Zealand; Pharmaceuticals industry and trade; Scott, Robert F., Capt.; Shackleton, Sir Ernest H.; Spink, J.D.; Trade: imperial; Wellcome Foundation; Wrigley, E.W.
Bibliography
Originally cited in Australian Joint Copying Project Handbook. Part 8: Miscellaneous (M) Series. Third Edition, published 1998. Entry 486, p189.
Biographical / Historical
The partnership of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. was formed in 1880 by two American pharmacists, Silas Mainville Burroughs and Henry Solomon Wellcome. Initially they acted as agents for American companies, specialising in the new 'compressed medicines' or tablets. In 1883 they started manufacturing their own products and in 1889 the present production centre was established at Dartford, Kent. The first overseas branch was established at Melbourne in 1886.
By 1900 the product range included an extensive 'Tabloid' range of ethical medicines as well as 'Kepler' Cod liver oil and malt, hazeline Snow, Saccharin, atomisers for sprays, artificial ear drums, tea in 'tabloid' form and an assorted range of tonics and laxatives, as well as a growing range of medicine chests.
In 1895 Burroughs died and Henry Wellcome became sole proprietor. He was also interested in research and in 1894 Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories was established, followed by Wellcome Chemical research Laboratories (1896), Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research (1913), and Wellcome Historical Medical Museum (1913). In 1924 Wellcome consolidated all these separate enterprises under one private company - The Wellcome Foundation Ltd.
The Company's headquarters was bombed in 1941 and many records were lost.
See also. Gilbert Macdonald. One Hundred Years Wellcome 1880-1980. In Pursuit of Excellence. Wellcome Foundation, 1980.
Item Descriptions
Series. YL, 1882 - 1986
31 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP reels M2536-M2537.
Assignment by Henry Solomon Wellcome and Wellcome Foundation Ltd. to sell to Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (Australia) Ltd. business carried on by them in Australia. (4p, printed), 1926 (File Box 10)
British Antarctic Expedition (168p.), 1910 (File Box 12)
Correspondence and lists re supply of medical outfits and photographic equipment by Burroughs Wellcome to the expedition, and a personal donation to funds by H.S. Wellcome.
Correspondents include Capt. R. Scott, Dr. E. Atkinson, Dr E.A. Wilson, H.G. Ponting, Surgeon G. Levick.
(Some faint carbon copies).
Shackleton (303p.), 1914 - 1921 (File)
Correspondence and lists re medical equipment supplied to Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Correspondents include, Sir Ernest Shackleton; Dr. A.H. Macklin; Messrs Hutchison and Cuff, solicitors, London; A. Stevens (Aurora Sydney, [Copy]).
Also includes material on Shackleton-Rowett Expedition, 1921.
G. Macdonald on Burroughs Wellcome Australia (File Box 33)
Memoranda and correspondence regarding Gilbert Macdonald's trip to Australia in 1983 in connection with the centenary of Wellcome Australia in 1986. 1982-83. (18p.)
Also includes: 30 June 1983. Dr. L.G. Sharp (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney) to Mr. Newey (Wellcome Australia, Cabarita) re exhibits for reconstruction of a pharmacy in Power House Museum. (Copy)
n.d. List of long service personnel of Wellcome Australia.
Note: R207, n.d. (File Box 33)
Note re case supplied to Capt. Ross Smith on his leaving London for Australia. (1p.)
P/C of notes on Copper's Australia, 1980 (File Box 33)
Comprises: Gilbert Macdonald's notes on Cooper's in Australia (1860 first Cooper Dip supplied… 1959 Burroughs Wellcome acquired Cooper Mcdougall and Robertson); on Wellcome in Australia (summary), list of photographs from Australia, tasks for researcher, notes on Sir Alan Cobham's flight to Australia and Sir Ross Macpherson Smith.
(c. 1980, 18p.)
(Xerox copies, faint and typed version).
Also contains: 24 March 1980. C.A. Farquarson-Roberts (Cobham Archives, Blandford) to Gilbert Macdonald re Cobham's flight.
Notes re History of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. Australia, c.1888-1900 (File Box 33)
Comprises: Notes on and xeroxes of references to Burroughs Wellcome in Australian Journal of Pharmacy (21p.)
notes on Burroughs Wellcome & Co. Australia, n.d. (File Box 33)
Comprises: 2 papers on history of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (Australia Ltd). (10p. and 5p, typescripts).
Gilbert Macdonald's notes for Wellcome Australia, 1986 (File Box 33)
Comprises: 1980 centenary - UK activites. Draft outline Centenary book - Australia Wellcome Australia - 1986: centenary sequence.
(c. 1980-1983, 4p.)
Gilbert Macdonald Correspondence with C. Deeth in Australia, October 1980 (File Box 33)
3 items
Notes re Australia, c. 1934-1972 (File Box 34)
Comprises: Press cuttings re Cooper's in Australia and Burrough Wellcome (Australia) Ltd. (14p.)
Correspondence re Digoxin farm, 1958 (File Box 34)
Comprises: Correspondence and articles on growing of foxgloves (Digitalis lanata) on a farm north of Sydney.
Correspondents: J.D. Spink (Burrough Wellcome (Australia) and J.A.M. Thomson (Terrigal). (10p.)
Australia: envelope Mr. Falder (File Box 34)
Photograph of Sydney works(?) List of property in Sydney with values.
Correspondence between SM Burroughs and Shepperson in Australia, 18 June 1882 - 23 April 1889 (File Box 37)
Comprises: Letters from SM Burroughs (Ceylon, Adelaide, Auckland, New York) to Wellcome and to Shepperson; Wellcome (London) to Burroughs; WS Shepperson (Melbourne) to Burroughs and Wellcome; incomplete letter folios 5-17 re business in India and Australia ('This Australian business is going on very steadily and.…will…prove an excellent outlet for England Pharmacy' 23 April 1889). (c. 59p.)
Memorandum from CM Wenyon, 1928 (File Box 37)
Comprises: Copy letter from Eleanor S. Williams (Tolowai Bay, New Hebrides) re treatment of Yaws in New Hebrides, 4 February 1928 and covering memoranda from CM Wenyon (London), and others. (5p.) [Photographs wanting]
Notes for chairman visiting Australasia from G. Macdonald. (8p.), 26 June 1980 (File Box 38)
Suggested topics for speeches in Australia and New Zealand, references to Alan Cobham; history of the company in Australia and New Zealand; Cooper Company; visit by Silas Burroughs.
Wellcome Foundation Ltd. Accounts of Subsidiary Companies and Branches, August 1949 - February 1950; 1949 - 50; 1951 - 52; August 1952 - February 1953 (File Box 43)
Accounts of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (Australia) Ltd. (43p.)
Overseas offices: Australia, n.d. (File Box 50)
Comprises: Page 7 of list of personnel at Sydney Office and suggestions that WJ Kirchner succeed EW Wrigley as Manager. (1p.)
Survey of Cod Liver oil, Vitaminised oil and similar preparations, May 1946 (File Box 71)
Survey prepared by Willmotts Advertising Agency Pty. Ltd. for Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (Australia) Ltd. (162p, typescript).
Includes: figures on consumption of cod liver oil and similar products in Australia showing variations by state; reasons for consumption; brand loyalty.
Sydney, c. 1950-1952 (File Box 75)
Material from Publicity Division re Sydney Office. (c.182p.)
Includes: Trade literature produced by Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (Australia) Ltd.; memoranda on publicity budgets.
Australia/New Zealand Toplis Material, 1909 - 1950 (File Box 81)
10 items
[C. Gordon Oakes] (B.W. London) to Leah Toplis (Auckland) re death of her husband, 21 March 1950 (Item)
'The First Week's Experience of a Burroughs Wellcome Representative' by J.W. Toplis. (7p.), March 1909 (Item)
Tuberculosis: paper to read at annual conference of representatives of Messrs. Burroughs Wellcome & Co., Sydney, by J.W. Toplis (8p.), 14 December 1909 (Item)
More About Tuberculosis: lecture to be given by J.W. Toplis at conference of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. representatives, Sydney. (8p.), December 1910 (Item)
The Seven ages of 'Kepler': address given by J.W. Toplis at conference of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. representatives, Sydney. (6p. incomplete), 5 October 1921 (Item)
Vitamins with special references to 'Kepler' extract of malt and 'Kepler' extract of malt and cod liver oil: address given at annual conference of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. representatives in Sydney, by J.W. Toplis. (7p.), 17 October 1923 (Item)
Impressions and report of the conference of representatives (Messrs Burroughs Wellcome & Co.) Sydney 17-20 October 1923 (2p.), 26 October 1923 (Item)
Estates Sydney - General, 1939 - 1956 (File Box 98)
Memoranda (some incomplete), photographs, blueprints and elevation re premises owned by Burroughs Wellcome (Australia) & Co. Ltd. in Sydney. (93p.)
Wellcome's letter book 2, April 1889 (File Box 112)
3 itemsFilmed selectively.
Wellcome's Copy letter book no. 1, January 1882 - March 1883 (File Box 107)
5 itemsFilmed selectively.
To Burroughs, trusts Burroughs will remain in Australia until he has conquered the country, 6 September 1882 (Item p. 19-32v)
To Burroughs re visit of Forrest to Singapore, he is to go onto Australia, 27 January 1882 (Item p. 84-107v)
Series. WF Accessions, 1882 - 1986
58 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP reels M2537-M2538.
Subseries. WF Accessions Box 42, 1937
1 itemFilmed selectively.
In Supreme Court of New Zealand, Canterbury District, 1937 (File 86/20)
Between Alan Grant of Waimace in the Provincial District of Canterbury, sheep farmer, plaintiff, and Cooper, Mcdougall and Robertson Ltd., manufacturers of sheep dip, defendants. Deposition of witnesses on behalf of the defendants. Pt. 1 and 2 (215p, Printed)
Subseries. WF Accessions Box 58, 1955 - 1973
7 itemsSubseries 86/43/1-7. Secretariat Files: Material re Burroughs Wellcome (Australia Ltd.), 1955 - 1973
7 items
Minutes of Board of Directors of Burroughs Wellcome (Australia) Ltd., 1955-73 held in London and Sydney. (177p.) (File 86/43/1)
Subjects discussed include: dividend payments, annual accounts, appointment of directors, sale statistics, budget, capital expenditure.
Minutes of Board of Directors of Wellcome (Australia) Pty. Ltd., 1965-67, 1969-70, 1972 held in Sydney. (11p.) (File 86/43/2)
Select 1972 only (Duplicates 86/43/4)
Subjects discussed include: change of name to Wellcome Australia Ltd.
Minutes of meetings of (local) committee of the Board of Directors of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (Australia) 1965-71, held in Sydney. (205p.) (File 86/43/3)
Subjects discussed include: sales; estimates, capital expenditure, overseas visits; development laboratory/research grants; formation of company in Phillipines.
Minutes of meetings of Directors of Wellcome (Australia) Pty. Ltd., 1965-70 held in Sydney. (25p.) (File 86/43/4)
Subjects discussed include: accounts, election of Directors, property valuation.
Minutes of 1st. meeting of Management Committee of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (Australia) Ltd. (6p.), 24 June 1970 (File 86/43/5)
Subjects discussed include: responsibilities of the company, sales, exports.
Subseries. WF Accessions Box 61, 1986
8 itemsSubseries. WF Accessions Box 65, 1951
2 itemsSubseries. WF Accessions Box 66, July 1882 - November 1883
11 itemsSubseries 87/33/4-57. S.M. Burroughs Correspondence from abroad, July 1882 - November 1883
11 itemsS.M. Burroughs (Adelaide, Sydney, Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch, Hobart, Melbourne, Ballarat, SS Australia, South Pacific) to Wellcome (mainly). (c.252p.)
Subjects include: business in Australia, meeting doctors, appointing a representative, making medical cases, items ordered by Messrs. Elliot Bros. & Co., malaria in Queensland, terms of doing business in New Zealand, printing retail prices on goods for colonies, use of Burroughs Wellcome drugs in Hobart Hospital, problem with Fellows agency, advertisements in Australian journals, supplies of eucalyptus oil, appointment of Robert Thompson as traveller.
Burroughs (Medina) to Wellcome re Rankin acting as representative in Australia. (4p.), 9 October 1883 (File 87/33/61)
Burroughs (Minniapolis) to Wellcome re supply of eucalyptus oil. (6p.), 10 November 1883 (File 87/33/64)
Subseries. WF Accessions Box 76, 1986
4 itemsSubseries 88/7/7. Press cuttings and publicity material: Material re Wellcome Australia centenary, (53p.), 1986
4 itemsSubseries. WF Accessions Box 153-4, 1895 - 1943
23 itemsSubseries 89/70. Powers of Attorney etc., 1895 - 1944
23 itemsFilmed selectively.