Recollections Personal and Official of James Steuart 1817-1866. With a Short History of the Firm of George Steuart & Co., Colombo. 1835-1935
[Times of Ceylon Co. Ltd, Colombo, Ceylon], 1935. [First Edition]. Hardcover. 8vo., 72pp., white leather backed boards, portraits. Introduction by Tom Villiers dated 1935. -- Penciled inscription on the first free endpaper: "Presentation copy / March 1935 / from Geo. Steuart of Colombo" (see photo). -- Small label of "Times of Ceylon Company Ltd." glued to rear pastedown at bottom near the spine. Condition. Very good. Item #9998
"James Steuart was the founder of the Firm George Steuart & Co. in Ceylon. This book contains his recollection personal and official dated 1866 but never published though often quoted [in biographical sketches]. The book provides a vivid picture of the conditions that prevailed one hundred and fifty years ago when the author was appointed Master Attendant of the Port of Colombo and later founded the firm George Steuart & Co. The foreword is by Sir Tom Villiers and the book contains two portraits of the founder and of George Steuart. The book also contains a history of the firm of George Steuart & co. compiled from notes prepared by the late Reginald John of Colombo."-from a slip of paper laid in by a former bookseller, name not given. ---- "The George Steuart Group of Companies (George Steuarts) is Sri Lanka’s oldest mercantile establishment, having been established in 1835 during British occupation of Ceylon. It is one of the oldest mercantile entities in the world, with a recorded history dating back to the early 19th century. Having begun operations as a merchant banker and then a produce broker, George Steuarts today includes businesses engaged in tea, exports, health, leisure, travel, real estate, telecommunications, shipping, insurance, recruitment and higher education."-wikipedia.
Price: $250.00