Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Robb Engineering Works Ltd. fonds
General material designation
- Textual record
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Fonds
Repository
Reference code
MS-4-14
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
Physical description area
Physical description
45 cm of textual records and technical drawings
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
(1848-1964)
Administrative history
Robb Engineering was a metals manufacturer in Amherst, Nova Scotia, with its origins in the mid-nineteenth century. Originally founded in 1848 for general work on coal mining and lumber machinery, the factory expanded to manufacture boilers, electric engines and small generator plants. They also designed and manufactured locomotive engines. In 1964 Robb Engineering was acquired by the Dominion Bridge Company and its assets merged into Dominion's Canada Car and Foundry subsidiary. Robb Engineering gained notoriety during the 1990s after being blamed as the maker of faulty open web steel joists, some of which experienced catastrophic failure, resulting in at least one roof collapse.
Custodial history
Records were donated to the Dalhousie University Archives in eight accessions: (1971-048) in March 1971 by Norman Ritchie; (1975-039) in August 1975 and (1976-045) in June 1976 by Robb Engineering Co.; (1976-058) in September 1976 by Jack McGee; (1982-016) in April 1982 by Len Perry; (1985-025) in April 1985 by Brian MacDonald; (1985-042) acquired in 1985; and (1986-058) acquired in 1986.
Scope and content
Fonds contains the business records of Robb Engineering Co. Ltd., including an engine record book (1893-1902); deeds, indentures and agreements (1879-1905); plans, catalogues and photographs (1890-1950); engines and boiler plans (1898-1956); engine and boiler specifications; patent records (1886-1923); engine and boiler registers; engine indexes (1893-1930); correspondence; and other records.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script note
English
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
There are no access restrictions on these materials. All materials are open for research.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Materials do not circulate and must be used in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room. Materials may be under copyright. Contact departmental staff for guidance on reproduction.
Finding aids
Associated materials
Accruals
Further accruals are not expected.
General note
Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Robb Engineering fonds, MS-4-14, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.