WILLIAM MAURICE CARMICHAEL
1023, Fort Street, Victoria and Vancouver

Maurice Carmichael - Victoria, B.C. - 1935

Maurice Carmichael - Victoria, B.C. - 1937

Maurice Carmichael - Victoria, B.C. - 1947

CM
William Maurice Carmichael was born at Victoria, British Columbia, the son of Herbert Carmichael, an engineer who was later to become the Provincial Assayer for the Department of Mines of British Columbia. William originally followed in his father's footsteps and initially trained as a civil engineer, however, it would appear that that he inherited an artistic flare from his mother, a former student of the Slade School of Fine Art, and in that direction was the path he was to follow. Following his service in the First World War he returned to British Columbia and opened his first workshop in part of his parent's house in St. Denis Street in the Oak Bay district of Victoria. Here he successfully designed and manufactured jewellery and silverplated wares and his enterprise grew rapidly and work in sterling silver was soon added to his range of products. In 1924 he acquired the services of the silversmith George Bennett, who had received his training in Sheffield, England. Carmichael opened a showroom in Victoria, and in 1927 a manufactory at Government Street. The expansion continued with the construction of a splendid Mock Tudor establishment located at Fort Street, Victoria in 1929. During the period 1935 to 1940 a branch was maintained at Howe Street, Vancouver, but this was closed down when the firm converted their output to supplying the needs for the war effort. Following the end of hostilities Carmichael returned to producing his pre-war wares, but he died in 1954, and although the business was continued for a while in the control of his second wife, the firm closed soon afterwards.
William Maurice Carmichael was noted as the maker of the mace for the cruiser H.M.C.S. Ontario and the Thunderbird & Whale bowl that was presented to King George V by the Government of British Columbia, and of ecclesiastical silverware for various churches in Victoria. He was also commissioned to make the flatware for the Capilano Golf and Country Club.
An example of the work of William Maurice Carmichael struck with post 1934 Canadian marks:
The above maker's mark of William Maurice Carmichael was the second one that he used, the first being 'W.M.C' contained within an oblong punch.
Trev.