Archer Cowley's most famous removal: the Bodleian to its new premises:

Phil’s History:

A ‘work in progress’ family history website starting from an Archer family of South Oxford, who were freemen, brewers, haulage contractors, and first ‘Archer & Co’ then ‘Archer Cowley & Co’ furniture removers in the 19th and 20th Centuries, inter alia, to whom are linked by marriage the Penfolds and Wells of Southwark and Surrey, the Reeds of Devon, the Gilders of Oxford and Hinckley, the Morgans of Petworth, Sussex, the Garners of Middleton, Lancs and many others. There are connections via Phil and the present generation (born 1930s/40s) with a patent law firm known as "UD&L" with motor-racing and Scottish antecedents.

An early Archer Cowley petrol van outside the Bodleian's new premises. This is the 1934 'apogee' of the firm's achievements. My dad, FGBA, had been with the firm 8 years. How much involvement he had, I know not. He did not s speak of this job at home, as far as I recollect. In 1934, war was 5 years away in 1939. My birth was 7 years away in 1941.

(This shot needs to be re-taken from the original in the album as it seems to be not properly focused.).

See page above in this album entitled: "

Archer Cowley’s 1934 removal of the Bodleian Science Library from Broad Street to South Parks Road: line-drawing of the main building at the corner of Broad Street and Parks Road:

Phil’s History:

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Archer Cowley's most famous removal: the Bodleian to its new premises: