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The five items in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. ONE: Duplicated typescript report headed 'The Dry-Cleaning Industry'. At end: 'W. L. M[alkin]. March 1957.' 3pp., foolscap 8vo. Divided into two sections: 'History of Dry-Cleaning' and 'Dry Cleaning the Modern Way'. TWO: Duplicated typed document, with facsimile signature of W. L. Malkin, dated 12 September 1962. 1p., foolscap 8vo. Announcing that after 35 years with the company he is 'leaving to give my full attention to Michigan Cleaners', and stressing the care with which the management of the business has been handed to others, with reference to the roles of 'Mr. P. R. Argent' (Sales), 'Mr. H. Mellor' (Works Manager) and 'Mr. Barry [Malkin]'. THREE: Printed duplicated document with facsimile signature of 'J. B. Malkin | Director'. Headed 'John Hood Ltd. | Beckenham | 13th June 1963 | £100 Reward'. 1p., foolscap 8vo. Begins: 'In March last year, our losses due to pilfering were really getting out of hand, and quite apart from the annoyance caused to customers it was costing the firm quite a lot of money. | As a result, we offered a reward of £100 to anyone giving information leading to the apprehension of the person or persons concerned, and although no one came forward with any evidence, it had the effect of drastically reducing the number of garments that were lost. | However, we have now reached the stage where we are losing far more garments than is normal in the trade and it is obvious that regular pilfering is going on once more.' The rest of the document lays out the 'drastic security measures' the firm is taking. FOUR: Undated duplicated signed document with facsimile signature of 'J. B. Malkin | Director'. Headed 'John Hood Ltd. | Beckenham'. 1p., 8vo. Begins: 'You are probably all aware that recently two of our girls were prosecuted by the police for stealing clothing from the factory. | We were informed by the police at the time that our security arrangements were very lax, and that we should tighten them up. | We were hoping that, having caught these culprits, the losses that we were sustaining would dramatically diminish, but we regret to say that we are still losing garments at a rate that indicates that systematic pilfering is still going on.' The document explains the measures to be taken, including the 'accepting of all staff work in a room in 159 Ravenscourt Road so that no one will have any reason to bring any garment into or out of 158 Ravenscourt Road'. The 'actual cash h losses through claims paid out' are said to amount to 'between £600 and £700 a year', but 'we are more worried about the waste of time, frustration, suspicion and above all, customer dissatisfaction that results from an article being lost whilst in our care'. FIVE: Typed document signed by 'Barry Malkin'. 1p., 4to. Begins: 'Being last in line of the Malkins, I feel rather sad leaving what my Parents started in a small shed at the back of a shop in Elmers End Road over 43 years ago. | Although I have only been actively connected with the firm for the last ten years, my earliest recollection is of being in a cot in my parents' bedroom - now the directors' office, and from that time on I have been intimately concerned with "what's going on in the business".' He concludes in the hope that the reader will 'continue to give Mr. Argent, Mr. Mellor and Mr. Parks the same valuable support given to our family in the past in order that they may continue to maintain a progressive company, respected throughout the trade, renowned by the South London Public, and of which you may all justly be proud'. Seller Inventory # 16028
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