[Perkins, Bacon & Co., printers of bank notes and postage stamps.] Two manuscript letters from the firm to Archibald Bennet, Secretary, Bank of Scotland, one pleading to retain the Bank's account

These two items cast interesting light on the working practices of a notable firm in a specialist field of printing. ONE: From Perkins, Bacon & Petch, 16 January 1852. 4pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. They have received his letter, from which they quote a passage in which Bennet states that on 'account of the inconvenience caused by the time which must elapse before we can obtain a supply of Letters of Credit from London to revert to our former practice of obtaining them from our Edinbugh Engraver. | We also find it more convenient and economical to procure our Edinburgh Cheques from the Engraver here who furnishes those for our Branches.' In reply they state: 'This letter has been read by us with much regret, both on account of the intention it expresses, & the reasons which have led to that intention. Without having the folly to call in question for an instant your undoubted right to distribute your orders how, and as you please, we yet cannot witness the withdrawal of a large part of them from us without an effort to retain them, more especially as we can and are quite prepared to pledge ourselves that the cause shall never occur in future.' The letter then proceeds to give 'the real facts of the case', from the begining of the account: 'When you first favored us with your Orders of Credit after your Mr Blair had seen incontestable proofs of the security of our documents printed in colors it certainly took some time in first starting, for on that occasion we had to engrave eleven new Steel plates & such plates as have never been excelled by any one: the time taken therefore for accomplishing that order, can hardly be called unreasonable.' Since then the only delay has been to the Bank of Scotland's most recent order. 'It was a large one & was put in hand a very few days after its arrival, but at that time we had undertaken some enormously large contracts for the Spanish Government viz. Bonds which were required for the public by the 1st. inst, and could only obtain the contract by engaging for an unheard of quantity in a very short space of time. Added to this, many of our general customers especially Banks & Bankers, drove us unusually for work, during the few closing weeks of the last year.' After more such explanation, the author declares that 'It has been our pleasure as well as honor to work for your Bank for many years past, during which our notes have ever stood safe from the forger & our letters of Credit & Cheques from alteration of the sums, & we believe the quality of our work is equal to its security.' The letter concludes: 'We do not plead for a continuance of your favors on account of the profits, which very few in any trade, find now to be large, but we wish to retain a Bank, which has employed us for at least 20 years, & which has treated us with so much kindness.' TWO: From Perkins, Bacon & Co, 27 February 1863. 2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper with fraying at foot. Signed 'Perkins Bacon & Co | Per Stephani'. They have received his letter 'ordering 10,000 £5 notes as also a box containing 5089 sheets of Note paper to enable us to execute the same being one sheet over in one of the reams the wrapper of which we now return you. You have however made a great error in assuming each sheet to produce 2 Notes whereas it is only sufficient for one. The small Note paper does run two to the sheet'. They will be sending 'an impression showing the new date and numbering for approval on Tuesday next and when approved we can put the plates to ress without waiting for the remainder of the paper'.