The STEAM AGE archive comprises historical texts, documents, books, references, correspondence, yearbooks, catalogues, photographs and drawings accumulated over thirty years of Steam Age proprietorship. The subject matter covers ships and shipping, trains, steam locomotion, mechanical antiquities, tinplate toys and engineered models. Bob Gordon has written (in his monograph 'Model Steam Engines') that Bassett-Lowke Limited of Northampton, founded in 1899, was one of the foremost pioneers of scale modelling. Innovator W.J.Bassett-Lowke was famed for the excellence of his annual catalogue the first of which was published in 1901, the last in June 1963. After Bassett-Lowke's death in 1953 the Northampton factory concentrated on building models for museums and industry. In 1965 their famous showrooms in London and Manchester were sold to Beatties and a notable era in the history of steam models closed. Although production of their standard range of models ceased, the making of many types of model continued and those of finest quality could still be obtained by special order. Moreover in 1968 a new company, Bassett-Lowke (Railways) Limited, was set up at the internationally renowned shop 59 Cadogan Street. A range of fine steam locomotives were built which, together with other model locomotives and steam engines, castings and parts, made Steam Age a mecca for connoisseurs and model builders alike. After moving to 19 Abingdon Road Kensington for a short time, Steam Age, alas, closed its doors for the last time in 1991. If it's a mechanical antiquities reference you seek, we may be able to help. Take for example the St. Louis Corliss Cross-head ....