Some Birmingham Information and Advertisements

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J. NICKLIN & Co.

166, Great Charles Street, Birmingham



J. Nicklin & Co. - Birmingham - 1904

Users of the trade name 'SAJONIC'.

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HARDY & MARSH

51, New Street, Birmingham



Hardy & Marsh - Birmingham - 1877

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WILLIAM WRAY - later William Wray & Son

38, New Street, Birmingham



William Wray - Birmingham - 1877


William Wray - Birmingham - 1878


William Wray & Son - Birmingham - 1887

Late Hurt & Wray.

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PELICAN Co.

89, Trafalgar Road, Moseley, Birmingham



Pelican Co. - Birmingham - 1907

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MAURICE KIRSCH (Jewellers) Ltd.

42, Warstone Lane, later, 311b/312 Hockley Centre, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham



Maurice Kirsch (Jewellers) Ltd. - Birmingham - 1960

Established in 1956.

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T. MASON & Co.Ltd.

27, Hylton Street, later, 189, Warstone Lane, Birmingham

An advertisement for T. Mason & Co.Ltd. for the British Industries Fair of 1933:



T. Mason & Co.Ltd. - Birmingham - 1933

The business of Frank Valentine Patterson. Patterson had been in partnership with Arthur William Eyles as T. Mason & Co. up until 1918.

The firm were also exhibitors at the British Industries Fair of 1929.

It is thought that T. Mason & Co.Ltd. were wound up in 1971.

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THE EUREKA Co.

7, Gloucester Street, Birmingham



The Eureka Co. - Birmingham - 1902

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HARMAN BROS. Ltd.

115-118, Vyse Street, later, 257, Great King Street, Birmingham



Harman Bros. Ltd. - Birmingham - 1958


Harman Bros. Ltd. - Birmingham - 1981

Harman Brothers were established in 1918. They registered their mark 'H·BROS' contained within a punch of five conjoined lozenges, in September 1918 and registered similar marks over the years with the Birmingham Assay Office.

Users of the trade names: 'ARISTOCRAT', 'HAR-BRO', 'RICHMOND', 'PANDORA', and 'LEATHERLITE'.

Harman Bros. Ltd. was acquired by Kenneth West in 1965.

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J.A. HARDY

Sand Pitt Terrace, Birmingham



J.A. Hardy - Birmingham - 1839


James Austin Hardy registered his mark 'JAH' in lower case Gothic letters contained within an oblong punch, with the Birmingham Assay Office on the 17th November 1834. His trade was entered as a Plater.

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R. & L. MANUFACTURING COMPANY

263, Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham


DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP

The partnership subsisting between George Lovelock and Donald Joseph Robbins, carrying on business as manufacturing jewellers at 263, Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham, under the style of R. & L. Manufacturing Company, has been dissolved as from December 31, 1957, so far as concerns Donald Joseph Robbins, who retires from the firm.

Source: Watchmaker, Jeweller & Silversmith - March 1958

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CHARLES ELLINGWORTH

4, Snow Hill, Birmingham




Ellingworth - Birmingham - 1864


Claim for Return of Apprenticeship Premium.-– Henry Albutt, bill poster, sued Charles Ellingworth, late watchmaker and jeweler, of Bromsgrove, for the return of £5 paid as premium to defendant on the apprenticeship of plaintiff's son. Plaintiff stated defendant agreed to take his son for four years as an outdoor apprentice with a premium of £5, which was paid. There was only a verbal agreement. Defendant soon after sold his business, and his successor refused to accept the apprentice, hence the action. He knew that defendant wanted to dispose of his business. In defence, it was stated that there was no agreement to return the premium if the business was disposed of, that the lad had had a good deal of attention while with defendant, and that there was an agreement for payment of another £5 if the apprenticeship lasted, which was to be returned if the business was sold and the successor refused to accept the apprentice, but this £5 had not been paid. He denied that there was any agreement to pay a second £5. His Honor remarked upon the policy of people making verbal agreements, instead of having them in writing. He had to decide between the two parties, and he considered plaintiff's version the most reasonable. Judgment for plaintiff for the amount claimed.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller And Silversmith - 1st November 1892

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J. & W. RANDALL

Vittoria Street, Birmingham


One of the oldest, and at one time one of the largest manufacturing jewellers, (Messrs. J. & W. Randall, Vittoria Street, Birmingham) have, during the last month, finally withdrawn from the trade. The fixtures, dies, tools, &c. have been sold by auction, and the business premises are in the market and are vacant. As the premises are one of the largest in the trade there will be difficulty in disposing of them as a whole, and they will no doubt be eventually divided up as the best way of utilising them. I think as a rule, that such extensive buildings for the jewellery trade is a mistake, as the jeweller is, or should be, an artist, and it is practically impossible to carry on a huge business that will occupy premises on such an imposing scale. There are a few instances of jewellers–so called–occupying premises containing 200 workmen or thereabouts ; but they are scarcely jewellers proper, making as they do a variety of fancy articles which would better come under the head of light brass foundry.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st February 1888

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BIRMINGHAM JEWELRY TRADE REPORT - 1917


BIRMINGHAM JEWELRY TRADE

Report of Consul Dennison on War Time Activities in the Industry

Consul E. Haldeman Dennison, Birmingham, England, has submitted a report to the Department of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Washington, D. C, on the industries of Birmingham for the year 1917. In discussing the jewelry situation he says:

The manufacturing jewelry trade of Birmingham took further measures during the year to adapt itself to munition work. Some additional plant was installed, and by co-operative effort manufacturers were able to undertake extensive contracts. Though the jewelry trade is insignificant compared with formerly, those engaged in it strove with a fair amount of success to keep export supplies going. Manufacturers co-operated with the authorities to discourage home trade and devoted their resources mainly to the large volume of business offered from abroad. The orders that had to be refused were much more numerous than those which could be accepted. Large quantities of jewelry were shipped to Spain, India, and South America. Sufficient gold was forthcoming to keep the regular activities of the trade going, if only to a limited extent. The high price of silver did not perceptibly check the demand, and there was an active market for electroplate.

Toward the end of the year samples of jewelry, gold, silver and electroplated wares were gathered together at the headquarters of the Birmingham Jewelers' Association for dispatch to South America by the commercial expedition that is going out under government auspices. Seventy-one Birmingham, 40 Sheffield and 17 London manufacturers are taking advantage of the enterprise to send specimens of their productions out by the Board of Trade agent.

In order to retain as many of their workers as possible, so as to have them ready to start work after the war, the Birmingham jewelers are making gauges for shells, cartridges, aeroplane parts, etc., upon a rather extensive scale. A small company was formed to carry on the work, and premises for hardening and finishing the gauges were opened and a special plant installed. Canisters for shell fuses are being turned out at some of the jewelers' factories, as well as containers used in the apparatus for protection again gas attacks. The regular plants are being devoted to soldering and gilding for military purposes.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1918

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CARNELLEY

Royal Silver Plate Works, 20, Hylton Street, Birmingham



Carnelley's - Birmingham - 1895


Carnelley's - Birmingham - 1898


The above business may be a continuation of Carnelley & Lamb, later, Carnelley & Co., but more information is required to prove a connection.


Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Jarvis Carnelley and George Lamb, carrying on trade at No. 2,Caroline-street, Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, as Electro Platers, under the style or firm of Carnelley and Lamb, was dissolved by mutual consent, as and from the 18th day of April, 1864.–Dated this 18th day of April, 1864.
Jarvis Carnelley
George Lamb

Source: The London Gazette - 22nd April 1864

Jarvis Carnelley continued the above business as Carnelley & Co., 2, Caroline-street, Birmingham. He was noted as going bankrupt in 1890.

Carnelley & Co. (recorded by the BAO as Carnelly) entered their mark 'C' '&' 'Co' in three separate boxes, with the Birmingham Assay Office in May 1867.

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R. KENT & SONS

Upper Hockley Street, Birmingham


I have to report the approaching retirement of another manufacturing jeweller here—Mr. Richard Kent, of Hockley Street—like a number of other old-fashioned connections, the trade has gradually grown " smaller by degrees and beautifully less," until there is very little of the original left—and the sudden death of the eldest son, Mr. Reuben Kent, has been the last straw to " break the camel's back," Mr. Kent having decided to close the trade, as he is a good age. This will make the third extensive premises in Hockley Street that will be unoccupied — Messrs. Levi & Salaman having gone into Newhall Street, and Mr. Edward Scott into Vyse Street. By this means one side of Hockley Street has a decidedly deserted appearance, and is likely to continue so, for very few, if any, manufacturers are extending lately.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st May 1888


The firm of Messrs. R. Kent & Sons, of Upper Hockley Street, Birmingham, Manufacturing Jewellers, finally closed their trade on Thursday. June 14, when all the trade fixtures, tools, stock of precious stones, &c, were sold by auction on the premises.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 2nd July 1888

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Jewelry Business in Birmingham

W. T. Gracey, Consul at Birmingham, England.

The removal of the embargo on the exportation of gold from the United States is a special interest for the jewelry trade in Birmingham. The goldsmiths of the city have been carrying a heavy handicap for a long time, and while there has been abundant opportunity for trade development they have been without the necessary raw material.

Since the embargo was placed upon gold bullion by the United States the British Government has purchased all its gold from South Africa and manufacturers have had a poor opportunity of increasing their business. The gold which was available cost more than American manufacturers were called upon to pay, and were, therefore, at a great disadvantage in competing for oversea trade. It is believed that the effect of the removal of the embargo will give the Birmingham merchants an opportunity of paying more attention to the South American trade.

The Birmingham silverware manufacturers are increasing their business rapidly, but the labor supply is still restricting the output. The exports of plated and gold wares during the month of May are said to have amounted to £69,099 ($336,270).

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th August 1919

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WILLIAMS & Co.

Newhall Street, Birmingham



Williams & Co. - Birmingham - 1894



Williams & Co. - Birmingham - 1894

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LANCASTER & CARSTAIRS

47, Northampton Street, Birmingham



Lancaster & Carstairs - Birmingham - 1893

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R.P. DAVIS & Co.

Tenby Street, later, 169½, Hockley Hill, Birmingham


Failure of a Birmingham Jeweller.–A meeting of the creditors of Richard Perkin Davis, jeweller and silversmith, carrying on business at 169½, Hockley Hill, was held at the office of the Official Receiver, Colmore Row, on the 22nd ult. The liabilities amount to £400 9s. 10d., and the assets are estimated to produce £13 6s. 4d., a deficiency thus being left of £387 3s. 6d. The bankrupt commenced business about 1879, at Tenby Street, Birmingham, in partnership with a Mr. White, as jewellers and silversmiths, under the style of "R. P. Davis and Co." Their capital, amounting to £250, was found by Mr. White. The result of the first year's trading being a loss, Mr. White decided to leave his capital in the concern at 5 per cent, interest, but not to take any part in the business. After this the debtor traded in his own name. In 1880 he gave Mrs. White, at her husband's request, a promissory note for the £250 referred to. His explanation for doing so is that a claim could then be made against his estate in the event of bankruptcy. Mr. White died in 1886, and no demand was made for payment of the £250 until Christmas last, when a writ was issued for the amount. The bankrupt defended it on several grounds, one of them being that it was a partnership debt. The liability now amounting to £360 5s., is entered in the statement, but it is still disputed. He was ordered to pay the money into Court, and being unable to do so, filed his petition. During 1883 and 1884, the bankrupt made several bad debts, and in the latter year became aware that he was insolvent. The failure is attributed to bad debts and bad trade. The case was a summary one, and the Official Receiver was appointed trustee.

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

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BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE CIRCULAR - 1887


It having come to the knowledge of the Guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate in Birmingham that silver lower than the standard recognised by law is being used in the manufacture of silver plate, and that such silver plate is being manufactured and exported without having been assayed and marked, notice is hereby given as follows :– It is contrary to law to use in the manufacture of silver wares (other than those expressly exempted from the operation of the Assay Office laws) any silver of a lower standard than that prescribed by law – viz., 11 oz. 2 dwts. of fine silver to every pound weight troy. All silver wares (except as aforesaid) must, before they are sold, exchanged or exposed for sale, be duly assayed or marked. All persons offending against these regulations are liable to be proceeded against according to law. And notice is hereby further given that a reward of £25 will be paid by the said Guardians to any person who shall give information to them as will lead to the conviction of any manufacturer or dealer offending as aforesaid.

Thos. Martineau,
Law Clerk to the Birmingham Assay Office, Birmingham
October 6, 1887

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