Decorative 1904 English Vellum Mortgage—Twenty-One Houses in Southall, London
An impressive and unusually elaborate English mortgage indenture, handwritten on multiple sheets of vellum and dated May 14, 1904.
The document records a mortgage from Philip James Scott to the Westbourne Park Permanent Building Society securing the substantial sum of £4,200 plus interest. The security consisted of 21 parcels of land and the 21 houses erected upon them, numbered 35 through 55 inclusive on Beaconsfield Avenue, Southall, Middlesex.
The mortgage provides a fascinating record of Edwardian suburban development. Rather than financing one residence, the transaction supported an entire row of newly constructed houses. The document’s provisions allowed individual houses to be released from the mortgage upon payment of an agreed portion of the principal, illustrating the financial structure used by speculative builders during London’s early twentieth-century expansion.
The indenture is visually striking, with a large calligraphic “This Indenture” heading, red ruled borders, ornate legal script, original green fastening ribbons, embossed revenue stamps totaling £5 5s, silver-colored duty stamps and several original seals. A large red wafer seal represents the Westbourne Park Permanent Building Society, while a smaller personal seal appears beside Philip J. Scott’s signature.
The reverse bears a handwritten memorandum dated July 27, 1921, acknowledging that the building society had received all money secured by the mortgage. It also retains official Land Registry markings and title number 45778.
A handsome piece of English legal history combining decorative calligraphy, fiscal stamps, original seals and an excellent connection to the development of suburban London.
Date: May 14, 1904
Discharged: July 27, 1921
Location: Beaconsfield Avenue, Southall, Middlesex, England
Parties: Philip James Scott and the Westbourne Park Permanent Building Society
Principal: £4,200 plus interest
Property: Twenty-one parcels and houses, numbered 35–55 inclusive
Material: Manuscript on vellum
Features: Revenue stamps, embossed duty stamps, red seals, registry markings and original green ties
Condition: Original folds, handling creases, light toning and scattered surface soiling. Some wear and minor separation around folds and fastening points, but substantially complete with stamps, seals and ribbons preserved.
An impressive and unusually elaborate English mortgage indenture, handwritten on multiple sheets of vellum and dated May 14, 1904.
The document records a mortgage from Philip James Scott to the Westbourne Park Permanent Building Society securing the substantial sum of £4,200 plus interest. The security consisted of 21 parcels of land and the 21 houses erected upon them, numbered 35 through 55 inclusive on Beaconsfield Avenue, Southall, Middlesex.
The mortgage provides a fascinating record of Edwardian suburban development. Rather than financing one residence, the transaction supported an entire row of newly constructed houses. The document’s provisions allowed individual houses to be released from the mortgage upon payment of an agreed portion of the principal, illustrating the financial structure used by speculative builders during London’s early twentieth-century expansion.
The indenture is visually striking, with a large calligraphic “This Indenture” heading, red ruled borders, ornate legal script, original green fastening ribbons, embossed revenue stamps totaling £5 5s, silver-colored duty stamps and several original seals. A large red wafer seal represents the Westbourne Park Permanent Building Society, while a smaller personal seal appears beside Philip J. Scott’s signature.
The reverse bears a handwritten memorandum dated July 27, 1921, acknowledging that the building society had received all money secured by the mortgage. It also retains official Land Registry markings and title number 45778.
A handsome piece of English legal history combining decorative calligraphy, fiscal stamps, original seals and an excellent connection to the development of suburban London.
Date: May 14, 1904
Discharged: July 27, 1921
Location: Beaconsfield Avenue, Southall, Middlesex, England
Parties: Philip James Scott and the Westbourne Park Permanent Building Society
Principal: £4,200 plus interest
Property: Twenty-one parcels and houses, numbered 35–55 inclusive
Material: Manuscript on vellum
Features: Revenue stamps, embossed duty stamps, red seals, registry markings and original green ties
Condition: Original folds, handling creases, light toning and scattered surface soiling. Some wear and minor separation around folds and fastening points, but substantially complete with stamps, seals and ribbons preserved.
