Online Catalogue last updated 17th of September 2023
The firm of Davey, Paxman & Co. was one of the great steam engines manufacturers of the 19th century and one of the few firms which later made diesel engines too. The founder of the firm, James Paxman (1832-1922), was an extraordinary man. Born in poverty, he founded, in Colchester, a busy firm of agricultural engineers. His greater feat, however, was to diversify: into gold and diamond mining, into the heroic early days of electricity generation, into refrigeration and gas engine manufacture. Also given are details of the connection with the rise of the Mormon 'kingdom' in Utah, U.S.A.
This book lists in great detail the life of the founder of the Davey Paxman Company from 1832 through to around 1920. It describes the social conditions of the times, the economics of running an engineering business throughout these years, and the range and types of products produced.
The products covered range from agricultural machinery, boilers, steam engines, portables, mining and ore processing equipment, electrical generation equipment, traction engines, World War I armaments, along with the early gas and oil engines and much more.
Also detailed is basically a biography of James Paxman and his immediate family. His brother, William, who converted to the Mormon faith, and William's missionary work in Britain, New Zealand and his migration to Utah.
With plenty of background information on all the subjects covered, this is an easy and clear to follow read.
Andrew Phillips, a fellow of the Department of History at the University of Essex, has compiled a history of the firm up to 1922 and a business biography of James Paxman and his extraordinary family, drawing on a mass of private papers, extensive business records and over 10,000 letters. With 550 pages and 310 illustrations, it is a substantial book.
For the best book published by an organisation in 2000, 2001 or 2002 'making a major contribution to the history of Essex.'
'This book has been 25 years in the making and is the first to be written about the Paxman firm of East Anglia. Undoubtedly industrial historians, engine enthusiasts, and the folk of Colchester will consider the wait to have been worthwhile. Andrew is to be congratulated on bringing a quarter of a century of meticulous research to fruition in such a comprehensive, informative and readable way.'
OLD GLORY.
'The strength of the book is the detailed descriptions it gives of the background to the decisions and events which make up the story of any company. For anyone with an interest in Paxman's and their products this is a 'must have' book, and, for anyone wanting to understand the conditions facing other companies working at the same time.'
STEAM PRESERVATION
'This book is a magnum opus, a most detailed account of successful and extraordinary Victorian engineering endeavour. The author is to be congratulated at his success in having his work published in full, rather than trimmed down to fit in with a commercial publisher's ideas. The manner of writing and presentation is not at all dry and we are presented with a most excellent read of the intricacies of Victorian family and business life, all woven round that necessity of the age - steam.'
STEAMING
'This is both an industrial and a social history, remarkably presented and packed with insight into life in Colchester and further afield as the Industrial Revolution changed the world almost beyond recognition in one generation. This will make it interesting to academic historian, general readers and steam engine enthusiasts alike.'
EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES
This book lists in great detail the life of the founder of the Davey Paxman Company from 1832 through to around 1920. It describes the social conditions of the times, the economics of running an engineering business throughout these years, and the range and types of products produced.
The products covered range from agricultural machinery, boilers, steam engines, portables, mining and ore processing equipment, electrical generation equipment, traction engines, World War I armaments, along with the early gas and oil engines and much more.
Also detailed is basically a biography of James Paxman and his immediate family. His brother, William, who converted to the Mormon faith, and William's missionary work in Britain, New Zealand and his migration to Utah.
With plenty of background information on all the subjects covered, this is an easy and clear to follow read.
Code No. 010256, ISBN 0952936011