General outlay book, 1871-1877

The records trace the business from 1841 to 1963, from the time it was known as a shop belonging to Andrew Merker, blacksmith, to the present ownership of Theodore F. Krug. The firm is currently in business, operating in the same building on Saratoga Street as Merker did.

The earliest records are in German, becoming a mixture of German and English, becoming completely English by the 1850's. Records-keeping, as business increases, becomes more sophisticated and complete. All phases of incoming and outgoing materials and products are noted in quantities, sizes, prices, and uses. Accounts are listed for business and private individuals, mostly in Baltimore city, but can also be found for other states.

Drawings of work to be done and/or done accompany the ledgers, day-books, and journals of the period 1885-1927; these drawings, usually with accompanying measurements, are in ink and on tissue. Other record books contain rough drawings, usually in pencil.