Brown leather briefcase embossed with AJH, belonging to former Sainsbury's manager Alexander James Harper.
Contains various documents collected over the course of the owner's career. Includes: black and white photographs of interior of branch at 87 The Broadway, Ealing, 1 dated 1926 and the others c. 1950s; photographs of large groups of gentlemen possibly taken at various celebratory dinners; photographs of a darts team and menus and seating plans from celebratory dinners (1949 - 1973), some bearing signatures.
Also: copy of 'J. Sainsbury male shop staff post-war wages' booklet; branch manager's identity certificate; correspondence regarding pensions; scroll signed by staff and presented on the occasion of the owner's retirement; small trophy cup, shield and 2 pendants possibly for achievement in darts tournaments and a white cotton apron.
Letters and memorabilia received and sent by ex-employees during their careers
Briefcase containing various items collected by a former Sainsbury manager Alexander James Harper
Brown leather briefcase embossed with AJH, belonging to former Sainsbury's manager Alexander James Harper.
Contains various documents collected over the course of the owner's career. Includes: black and white photographs of interior of branch at 87 The Broadway, Ealing, 1 dated 1926 and the others...
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Contains various documents collected over the course of the owner's career. Includes: black and white photographs of interior of branch at 87 The Broadway, Ealing, 1 dated 1926 and the others...
- Ref. No: SA/EMP/5/1
- Format: Object
- Date: [1920s-1980s]
- Level: Series
- Extent: 1 item
- Access: Open
Awards
[c. 1937-1965]Four parcels of awards and badges.
SA/EMP/5/1/1
Photographs
1926-1971Photographs of people, staff and Sainsbury's shops.
SA/EMP/5/1/2
Invitations
26 Oct 1931-29 May 1973Invitations to Sainsbury's staff events.
SA/EMP/5/1/3
Official documents and letters
[c1925-1979]Official documents, letters and Sainsbury's financial information booklets.
SA/EMP/5/1/4
Sainsbury's magazines
[c 1950-1979]Sainsbury's publications for public and staff.
SA/EMP/5/1/5
Miscellaneous
[c 28 Mar 1928- Dec 1983]Items not related to any other aspect of same acquisition.
SA/EMP/5/1/6
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Comments
Comments (2)
My name is Peter Thames I started working at 87 EALING in the September of 1961. The store manager was Mr A j Harper I believe he retired about 1963/64. One other I recognise from your picture in store dated 1966 was Mr Laurie Rome. I went on to become an Assistant Manager in July 1968 working 1/4 Ealing Broadway and at various stores within the region working under regional managers Mr Lewis and Mr Keene I eventually left Sainsburys in 1973 .
Peter Thames, 15 September 2021
My Grandad Alexander James Harper was the owner of the briefcase. He worked for Sainsbury's all his life. From 1921 till the mid sixties.the pictures on this site show him at his best, engaging with customers. He was very modest and never boasted about his work other than he used to laugh about his first job as an egg boy before becoming a butter boy and then working up to Manager of a number of branches.
His party trick to impress the apprentice butchers, was to prepare and stuff a large Turkey blindfolded, which I witnessed first hand a tradition he continued at home.
After retiring he went on to head up Sainsbury's veterans, and would often visit retirees and arrange outings for them. Much loved Grandad to myself Christopher and Emma.
Melvyn Tamplin , 21 February 2023