2012/394

This pint measuring cup with handle was used at Charles Midwinter & Son Ltd., at 7 Cheap Street, Newbury, Berkshire. Charles Midwinter & Son Ltd. was a seed and agricultural merchant which closed in 1989 after 127 years of business. The measuring cup was used to measure peas and beans for retail packets for the domestic and allotment garden market and was in use for many years until circa 1980. It is possibly made from tin. The donor's mother was part of the Midwinter family and worked for the family firm for 41 years in various roles. The donor himself, Alan Vince, was a student of Agriculture at the University of Reading around 1944. He offered six measuring cups to MERL (3 x pint measures and 3 x half pint measures). MERL accepted this pint measure and one half pint measure (object number 2012/395) and the remaining four were donated to the West Berkshire Museum in Newbury with the donor's permission.

1 measuring cup with handle: metal; good condition

Email, MERL to Steph Gillet from West Berkshire Museum, 15 March 2012 - 'Hi Steph, // I know you are closed for redevelopment and refurbishment. I hope all is going according to plan. We are planning to do some redevelopment at some point soon so it would be good to see what you are doing/have done when you are able to show it off a bit more. // Anyway, as a result of your closure we have been offered some objects that would no doubt have been offered to you first and foremost and I wanted to give your first refusal on some or all of them. They comprise a series of tin vessels used for measuring out seeds at the ‘point of sale’ in Charles Midwinter and Sons Ltd, Newbury. I have further contextual information related to the kinds of products they were used with etc and information about this local family business (about which I’m sure you already know). // There are 3 half pint measures and 3 pint measures. I’d be glad to take some, all, or none of them depending on your interests in this material. The donor was happy for them to go to you or to us. Photos attached. // Best wishes, // Ollie', Email, Steph Gillet to MERL, 16 March 2012 - 'Hi Ollie // Very many thanks for this! We are still collecting during closure and redevelopment and thankfully items continue to be offered. // I will take the offer to our acquisition panel on 19th April and hope to call you beforehand. // Best wishes // Steph', Email, MERL to Steph Gillet, 20 March 2012 - 'Great. Keep me posted!', Email, Steph Gillet to MERL, 20 April 2012 - 'Hi Ollie // I'm afraid due to leave I failed to contact you again before yesterdays' collection meeting, but we would like to acquire the items. Jennifer will contact you to arrange collection in due course. // Thanks again for your assistance. // Best wishes // Steph', Email, MERL to Steph Gillet and Jennifer Allison, 20 April 2012 - 'Hi Steph/Jennifer, // Don’t worry, I had it in my dairy not to do anything with them until this week so have just been waiting to hear further word! Would you be keen to take them all or just a selection? // Best, // Ollie', Email, Steph Gillet to MERL, 20 April 2012 - 'Hi Ollie // I think probably all of them from the information you sent, but I'll leave it to you and Jennifer to decide. // Thanks // Steph', Email, Jennifer Allison to MERL, 23 April 2012 - 'Hi Ollie, // I would be able to pick up the objects and associated material on Friday 4th May first thing if possible (before 9.30 am as I have a meeting at 10.30 am) if this is convenient for you? I live in Reading so am hoping I can pick everything up on my way into work. // Regards, // Jennifer'