An intermediate agent between coal-owners and customers; in London formerly an officially recognized agent between the coal-owner or shipper and the coal-seller.
1715. Lond. Gaz., No. 5344/4. John Carrier of London, Cole-factor.
1837. Penny Cycl., VII. 298/1. Regulations … made in June, 1834, at a meeting of the coal-factors in London.
1861. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, III. 245 (Hoppe). Owing to the combination of the coalfactors, no more coals can come into the market than are sufficient to meet the demand without lowering the price.
