Elkington & Co. - Information and Advertisements

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Elkington & Co. - Information and Advertisements

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ELKINGTON & Co.

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As with the similar topics devoted to Mappin & Webb and their associated businesses ( http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 38&t=38368 ), and Walker & Hall ( http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 38&t=38614 ) this topic is devoted to the the firm of Elkington & Co..

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We understand that arrangements have been completed under which the business of Elkington & Co., electro-platers and silversmiths, of Birmingham and London, has been converted into a company, under the title of Elkington & Co. (Limited). The shares are taken by the members of the firm of Elkington & Co., and it is not intended to make any allotment in favour of the public. The management of the business will be continued by some of the members of the late firm, who become directors of the company.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st June 1887

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G.R. Elkington & Co. - Birmingham - 1840

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Intended Presentation to Earl Manvers.–The directors of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company, having invited Earl Manvers to cut the first sod of their new branch line at Beighton, have commissioned Messrs. Elkington and Co. to prepare a handsome barrow and spade for the occasion. They are made of walnut, richly mounted in silver, each piece being engraved with a sketch of one of the Company's handsome new engines and drawing-room car, surmounting the following inscription :–" Presented to the Right Hon. Earl Manvers on the occasion of his turning the first sod of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire lines of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company, at Beighton, on Friday, 7th February 1890." For Lady Manvers, who was also to be present on the occasion, Messrs. Elkington and Co. prepared a very beautiful silver card case, the engine and car in this instance being produced in raised gold on the oxydised surface of the silver. The inscription on the card case is as follows:–-"Presented to Lady Manvers on the occasion of the turning of the first sod of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company's new Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire lines. 7th February, 1890."

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st March 1890

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Elkington & Co.Ltd. - London - 1911

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OBITUARY

MR. HENRY ELKINGTON

Though scarcely coming within the limits of our ordinary necrological notices, and yet deserving of a place among them, we feel it a duty not to allow the death of this gentlemen to pass over unrecorded. Mr. Henry Elkington was a partner in the firm of Elkington, Mason & Co., of Birmingham and London, the well-known manufacturers of electro-plated goods, whose establishment owes much of its celebrity to the taste, enterprise, and energy of the deceased. He was not a practical artist himself, but be had within him all the materials which, if cultivated and brought into action, would undoubtedly have made a good one; while his intuitive perception of the pure and beautiful in Art enabled him to offer such advice and suggestions to those engaged in the artistic department of the business, as proved of infinite service to the employers and the employed. Mr. H. Elkington seems to have entered on his career of activity at a time when the Art manufacturers of Birmingham had reached their lowest point–so low indeed as to cause reasonable doubts of their ever again flowing in a pure and healthy channel; but the qualities he brought to bear upon his especial line of business, not only elevated it to a higher position than it had ever attained before, but they operated most beneficially upon others also: our columns have often testified to the excellence of the modern productions of this great mart of Industrial Art; among which those of Messrs. Elkington are conspicuous. He died on the 26th of October, in the forty-first year of his age.

Source: The Photographic Art-journal - January 1853

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The establishment of Messrs. Elkington, Mason and Co. is perhaps the most interesting, as a manufactory, in the Midland Counties, combining, as it does. many modern scientific inventions of great value and importance, employing about one thousand workpeople of skilful acquirements, and possessing one of the most extensive, best arranged, and elegant show-rooms in the world. In the brief space at disposal here, it is only possible to give a cursory glance of the rise and progress of this establishment, which in addition to its large staff in Birmingham, has depots in London, 22, Regent Street, and 45, Moorgate Street; Liverpool, 25, Church Street, and Dublin, College Green, where show-rooms are also attached. The first successful process of coating metals with a solution of gold was discovered by Messrs. Elkington in 1836, and patented by them, both in England and France. The patent was most severely contested in France, having been tried in a variety of forms before all the courts of law in succession, but the question was finally decided in favour of the patentees. The “Societé d’Encouragement” of arts and manufactures awarded their gold medal for this invention at an early period of the patent. Messrs. Elkington patented in 1840 the application of alkaline substances for the deposition of gold and silver in connection with an electric current, and without this change in the nature of the solutions no satisfactory deposit has, we believe, been yet obtained of either gold or silver. About the same time they also patented the same invention in France, and the “ Academic de Sciences” awarded the Monthyon prize of 12,000 francs conjointly between Messrs. Elkington and M. de Ruolz ; the latter gentleman having extended the application of the same kind of solutions to other metals, such as platinum, nickel, cobalt, 81c. At the various exhibitions which have been held from time to time, this house has been eminently successful, taking the highest award given in every case–the “ Council Medal” of “ Hyde Park Exhibition, 1851," Gold Medals of New York and Dublin, and the gold “Grand Medal of Honour” of Paris, 1855, till at the last great Exhibition of 1862, their merit was acknowledged as beyond the province of Medals, Mr. Frederick Elkington being appointed a Juror. The Commissioners having, however, decided to present Medals to Artists who had distinguished themselves, five medals only were awarded, two of which fell to the lot of artists in Messrs. Elkington’s employ, with numerous others of minor importance. The whole of the electro-plated articles manufactured by Messrs Elkington and Co. are produced from a metal which consists of an alloy of nickel, &c.; the introduction of which is one of the most important improvements in connection with the manufacture, as the alloy is of greater hardness, while its colour approaches exceedingly close to that of silver. The articles exhibited in the show-rooms prove that the most beautiful plain surfaces, as well as every description of style, however elaborate, or whether embossed or engraved, can be produced with equal facility and success. One great feature in this establishment is the manufacture of bronzes, ranging in size and importance from colossal groups and figures, down to the smallest busts and statuettes. No visitor to Birmingham should omit an inspection of this attractive place, which vies with the oldest and most wealthy establishments of its class, in the perfection of its models and designs, and its well-earned reputation for excellence of worksmanship.

Source: Cornish's Stranger's Guide through Birmingham - Cornish Brothers - 1854

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Elkington, Mason, and Co. - London and Birmingham - 1858

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Loss of Messrs. Elkington's Action.–This was an action in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice against Tivoli, a director in the Restaurant Company that bears his name, for goods supplied, amounting to £1,307 ; for which the company gave two acceptances, one for £600 and another for £107, promising to deliver further debentures for the remaining £600. The £600 acceptance was dishonored ; subsequently they received £407. In November last the company was wound up, and it was then found they had never issued the debentures, although plaintiffs had parted with the goods upon the representations of Tivoli in regard to them. Mr. Justice Romer said he failed to see how defendant could be made liable, and dismissed the action, with costs.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st June 1892

See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... li#p124519

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Elkington & Co.Ltd. - London - 1910

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An important casket of this class was produced by Messrs. Elkington, as a gift from the city of Athens to the Crown Prince of Greece, on the occasion of the attainment of his majority. It was designed under the direction of his Excellency M. Gennadius, Greek Minister at the Court of St. James. As a classic purist, he desired that it should represent the spirit of the famous city, and this was done with scrupulous accuracy of detail. On the lid are statuettes, the prince himself in centre. On the right, the city of Athens presenting the address, while Pallas Athenae, panoplied as of old, looks on approvingly. Altars of science and art respectively are at each side of the group. The "labarum" of Constantine is seen in front, with the arms of the ancient city. The box itself, having Corinthian columns at corners and ends, has a remarkable bas-relief. In centre, beneath a classic doorway, round which is bending a growing laurel in delicate compliment, the prince is seated. On either hand assemble the various provinces of Greece with messages of congratulation. Theseus, Achilles, Constantine, and Alexander each play their part in the design ; and the surface, diversified with gold, silver, and rich enamels, gives the whole an effect of pure and balanced color. Another casket, also by Messrs. Elkington, presented to the prince–this one by Greek residents in England–yet more emphasises the architectural idea. The figure work is elaborate and appropriate ; not the least so being the panel where the Goddess of Wisdom, disguised as Mentor, is instructing the young prince in the duties of life and the art of wise admistration. I must pass on to a casket from the same house, designed by an architect of Wigan, the motive being suggested by the ancient Town-house, supported on columns, a specimen of Early English construction. The arrangement is ingenious and decorative, the summit being crowned by a figure of the borough progress–based on coal–the miner's lamp indicating one stage, and the electric light the other.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st June 1892

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Elkington & Co.Ltd. - London - 1912

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Messrs. Elkington have just completed, and have now on view in their showroom in Newhall Street, an exceptionally important silver dinner-service, executed for a South American gentleman. The work includes 210 large pieces, and fifty dozens of spoons and forks, specially made to harmonise with it; it weighs 7,000 ounces, and its money value is £5,000. The period of the service, decided by the owner, is that of Louis the Sixteenth, which has been very skilfully treated in the designs made by M. Willms, the art director of Messrs. Elkington's works, who, while availing himself to the fullest extent of the artistic characteristics of the style, and preserving unity of design, has maintained due restraint, and has introduced many detailed enrichments of specially graceful quality, executed with rare delicacy. The principal objects of the service are a plateau, twelve feet in length, capable of division into three sections, and richly decorated with ornamental mouldings, and laurel wreaths, in low relief. The centre-piece is a singularly fine work, boat shaped, the ends enriched with charmingly modelled female figures, and the surface generally ornamented with repousse work in highly effective designs. Two candelabra, of seven lights each, are also very notable ; they are marked by gracefulness and boldness combined. These remarks apply to all the principal pieces ; while the smaller dishes, and other constituents of the service, are peculiarly noticeable for ingenuity alike of their form and their decoration. A dessert service, including two large and remarkable rose-water dishes with appropriate jugs and goblets, and a couple of tea services, complete the work. A few of the pieces are partly gilt; but with these exceptions the service is executed in oxidised silver, which is not even burnished in part, somewhat of a novelty in such work, but one which imparts unusual solidity of appearance, and, so to speak, tones down the salient qualities which are too often noticeable in ornaments of the Louis Seize period.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st December 1890

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Elkington and Co. - London - 1843

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In the window of the Moorgate Street showrooms of Messrs. Elkington & Co. is now to be seen an elaborate specimen of the silversmiths' art manufactured by them, which is to be presented by the Hop Bitters Co. to the National Rifle Association for annual competition. The base of the trophy is of an octagonal form with two projecting divisions, having semi-circular ends, each end supporting a figure, one representing Hygeia and the other Panacea, the daughters of Æsculapius, each figure accompanied by their classic attributes, viz., the staff, serpent, globe, cup, &c. The base is further beautifully decorated and enriched with mouldings of a Grecian character, and at regular intervals are depicted four shields, bearing the national emblems in enamel of England. Ireland, Scotland and Wales. A running frieze of the hop plant, elaborately embossed, chased and pierced, decorates the whole of the exterior of the base, whilst prominently placed in the centre is an enriched shield with the symbols of Æsculapius and Mars, and a conventional arrangement of the sun's rays indicative of curative powers. Rising majestically from the base is a second platform of a circular form bearing on one side a group illustrating the various volunteer corps in the United Kingdom, and on the opposite side a handsome shield for inscription, and on the other two shields facing the ends of the trophy are bas reliefs with representative groups of military and medical appliances. Between these bas reliefs are suspended wreaths of hops, &c. Above the bas reliefs are four emblematical figures of the nationalities supporting shields enamelled with the insignia of their patron saints. From the centre rises a canopy or temple enclosing a magnificently modelled statuette of Æsculapius, the temple being enriched and supported by four pillars elaborately decorated with the hop plant, flags, wreaths, &c. The base of the temple is in the form of a square, and is embellished with four scenes of important events in the reign of Queen Victoria, viz., the Coronation, the opening of the 1851 Exhibition, the inauguration of the Volunteer Camp at Wimbledon, and the proclamation of the Queen as Empress of India. The whole is surmounted by a winged figure carrying an escutcheon with the well-known green hop cluster and words " Hop Bitters," the former enamelled in green and the latter in black, exactly as appears on the labels of the Company's bottles. The trophy weighs upwards of 2,000 ozs., and is of the value of 1,000 guineas.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st September 1887

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The latest addition to the City Bond-street, i.e., Cheapside, is the completion of the alteration of the premises of No. 73, now opened by Messrs. Elkington and Co., Limited. There is a complete absence of gaudy coloration or flaring advertisements. The only legend displayed is that across the black facia, in gilt incised caligraphy, " Elkington and Co., Limited." The window itself stands back from two to four feet, the "hang over" thus offering a shelter to admirers. The woodwork is very rich and somewhat slight, otherwise the rosewood employed would look too heavy and sombre. As it is it presents a very good and imposing appearance. I am not an architect, but I suppose the style would be called classic.

Two features meet the eye in looking into these windows, first a notice informing the public–and what is perhaps more important, the trade–that, owing to the increase of duties upon jewelry sent in to the Australian markets, the company are going to sell off their stock of jewelry at the above premises, a procedure which, however wise, will not be appreciated by other City houses.

The other feature is the gorgeous silver-gilt service presented to the late Lord Mayor by his Welsh fellow-countrymen. The contrast of the gold with the ruby dishes of the fruit stands and centre piece is very striking, and the style of the service is probably unique. While gazing at it I over-heard two gentlemen getting angry over it or each other, one calling the style conventionalised Alhambric, while the other claimed something of far greater antiquity for it, asserting that he was sure it was Druidical.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st March 1893

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Elkington & Co.Ltd. - London - 1910

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THE INDUSTRIES EXHIBITION AT BIRMINGHAM


Elkington & Co., Newhall Street.–Three stands are occupied by this celebrated firm, and, for beauty and interest, it would be impossible to surpass them; they are filled with the most valuable specimens of the firm's manufactures. The case is made of ebony and lined with gold, with noble wings, and richly draped with cloth and marone plush ; examples of skilled work are arranged with great taste, and form a very pleasing and beautiful sight. The stand itself is surmounted by a trophy of flags, while the pilasters are ornamented with bronze busts–one of Dante and the other of Milton. In the central case are displayed a variety of shields : the Pompeian Lady plaque ; a jardiniere representing agriculture ; a jardiniere in repousse, by Morel Ladeuil, the celebrated artist ; also in electrotype a copy of St. Patrick's shrine, ornamented with crystals of various colours representing rubies, turquoise, &c, a very beautiful piece of work ; the famous Milton and " Pilgrim's Progress " shields, also by Morel Ladeuil, occupy a prominent position : there is also an electrotype centaur tankard and another tankard descriptive of a tiger hunt. We observe too an electrotype gilt race dish and a Queen Anne tea and coffee service in electro-plate, with wood-bottom mounted tray inlaid with rosewood, a very fine specimen of workmanship. For everyday use there are waiters, cruets, candlesticks, breakfast dishes, &c. Many are delighted with a handsome dessert service, highly chased and richly gilt in relief, designed by Mr. Wilms, after antique models from Herculaneum, whilst the rose-water dishes are beyond praise. To athletes, two new shields, intended to take the place of cups, will draw instant attention ; they are of splendid finish, clear and distinct in every particular, and will, undoubtedly, be treasured as samples of high art by their future winners. The back of the right wing is decorated with a trophy of antique arms and armour, and on the platform in front are specimens of electro cast and real bronzes, the most important being statuettes of the Prince Consort, Burke and Goldsmith, a faithful copy of Cleopatra's Needle, and the Slave, a statue lent to the Art Gallery for some months; the former of these are reproductions from Foley's models. With the other bronzes is noticed a group of stags, modelled by Landseer; the only model, it is believed, he ever completed–a group representing Hercules subduing the Enonian stag, and a group illustrative of " the kill " in a fox hunt. The left wing has arranged on its platform splendid specimens of the new art gold bronze work, a special mixture belonging to Messrs. Elkington, and having the same colour all through ; it is of a light old colour, rich in appearance, and made up in various designs by a recently discovered process of casting. In this metal there is a copy of the " Museum Vase," the " Helmet Jug " (the original of which was purchased by the Prince of Wales at the Paris Exhibition), also other beautiful specimens. Messrs. Elkington prove themselves to be far in advance of all competitors, and, in our opinion, are unrivalled, both as regards artistic effect and quality of their productions.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - October 1886

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Messrs. Elkington & Co. have been awarded a gold medal for their exhibit at the Birmingham Exhibition, special mention being made of excellence in repousse work.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st December 1886

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Elkington & Co.Ltd. - London - 1910

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