Banking & finance

Pomeroy, Beryl (9 of 11) National Life Stories: City Lives

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:31:01

  • Shelf mark

    C409/039

  • Subjects

    Printing

  • Recording date

    1990-07-02

  • Is part of (Collection)

    City Lives

  • Recording locations

    Interviewee's home

  • Interviewees

    Pomeroy, Beryl, 1922-2005 (speaker, female)

  • Interviewers

    Courtney, Cathy, 1954- (speaker, female)

  • Abstract

    Part 9 (tape 5 side A): BP lived in parents' cottage with father for 2 years after mother died. Next door neighbour helped, father became very dependent, needed oxygen cylinders which were heavy for BP to move. No nursing help. Didn't consider moving when father died, but made structural changes to cottage. Life after father died changed in that she was completely free and could come and go as she wished; father was possessive and towards the end of his life didn't want BP to have a life of her own - BP found it difficult and sometimes didn't want to go home to him. After father's death didn't take more than a week or 10 days off from work because there was no-one who could deal with her job, no secretary. Never went to USA to promote prints because not necessary. Eventually went over with Marian Dadds in 1985 for pleasure. Details of trip. Differences in USA colourists and GB - US doesn't have GB kind of printers and US colourists less subtle and likely to choose colours to go with interior scheme, whereas GB sticks to originals. US clients sometimes wanted to buy up whole firm and transport workforce to America, BP thought it part of English heritage and never considered it. Company belonged to BP and Mac; when Mac retired his brother, Dudley, took his place. The Nutbrown family now own Ross's; they were taken in when Mac first wanted to retire. BP took them in primarily because they were brothers in print business and both had ten year old sons to follow on in business. BP didn't want Ross's to fizzle out when she retired. BP couldn't run works without a man to cope with printing side. Nutbrowns had been asking to come in for some time before BP eventually agreed. BP's nephew and niece not interested in coming in to business. (Firm was Dixon Ross in 1833, BP can't remember when Dixon went out of it but brass stamp still in use for insured parcels says Dixon Ross.) BP's retirement - wanted to retire while still had energy, but no pressure to go from Nutbrowns. Decided to retire in 1990 but due to another move of premises retired in 1989. Firm moved out of London to bigger premises with room to extend but BP didn't go with it. BP had originally bought 15 year lease on Putney premises and when landlord died his son sold premises - unknown to BP - to the local Council who later tried to evict Ross's. BP fought case and won, with unexpected help from previously unknown wealthy and influential man involved in gallery. BP had previously been to a fortune teller who had foreseen these problems. When Council changed BP able to buy freehold. Ross's had made money steadily since the war. Public enquiry held in Wandsworth Town Hall.

  • Description

    Interview with Beryl Pomeroy, fine-art print dealer and managing director of Thomas Ross & Sons 1963-1989.

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