The C.O. Stanley archive consists of records relating to Charles Orr Stanley, who was head of the Pye group from 1928 until 1966. C.O. Stanley bought Pye Radio Ltd from founder W.G. Pye in 1928 and expanded it into a group of manufacturing companies. He remained at Pye’s head until it was bought out by Philips in 1966.

The archive encompasses the Stanley family history, dating back to the 1870s; the lifespan of C.O. Stanley 1899-1989; his career at Pye 1928-66; and the research of his grandson Nicholas Stanley into C.O. Stanley and Pye, which was conducted between 1996-2002.

The archive includes files relating to the Pye group, including finances, accounts, company reports, correspondence, promotional material, photographs, press cuttings, employee files and nine boxes containing bound ledgers of minute books and registers. The archive includes C.O. Stanley’s business papers, including his involvement with the creation of independent television in Britain.

There are various personal files relating to C.O. Stanley and his family including family photographs, certificates, passports, property documents, diaries and personal correspondence.

The archive also includes files relating to the Stanley Foundation’s attempts to piece together this archive, including correspondence between Nicholas Stanley and former colleagues, employees and friends of C.O. Stanley, previous archive listings, biographical notes and press cuttings.