Postby dognose » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:52 am
Hi SS,
It’s often forgotten, because of the emergence of the great industrial cities of Birmingham and Sheffield, that during the first half of the nineteenth century, London was still very much in the forefront in the production of silver flatware.
With so much of the process of manufacturing spoons etc. now possible through mechanisation, several silversmiths invested heavily in large manufactories, which caused the end product to be substantially reduced in price. This coupled with more aggressive sales techniques, soon precipitated a decline in the provincial silversmithing trade.
Two of the silversmiths in the frontline of these new methods were Jonathan Hayne (Grimwade 1408, 2978, 3646), and Thomas Cox Savory (Grimwade 2724).
The Diaries of Henry Ellis, the Exeter silversmith and jeweller, give a most interesting account of how business was conducted at this time.
This is an entry from 1826.
“ After repeated solicitations I opened an account with Mr Jonathan Hayne of London, silversmith, who carried on a large manufactory of spoons and forks on the ready money principle, deducting a long discount from the fashion of those articles for immediate cash. From the great competition which has sprung up in the trade, in this branch in particular, I now found it necessary, having money at my command, to obtain these goods at the lowest possible price. A system had lately been introduced by Thos. Cox Savory who was advertising in almost every part of the Kingdom, of reducing the sale of silver plate to a mere nominal shade of the profit. The day had undoubtably gone by when large profits were to be realised on any article, but here was an instance in which things of superfluity and luxury were cut down to a price which yielded less profit than the commonest necessaries of life. The name of Cox Savory thus became execrated in the trade, until others one by one, were compelled, in their own defence, to adopt the same plan. This was a great hardship on the country shop keeper where the demand was necessarily limited, for as it has been justly observed: The stockbroker may realise a splendid fortune at 3 / 4 or 3 / 8 per cent while the small dealer will starve on a profit of 50. Thus those goods were sold by this house in large quantities, and always paid for on delivery across the counter, just as change would be given for a banknote. But as regards the customer in the country, the case is very different for I found by the time those articles were engraved (for they were generally left for that purpose), sent home and the purchaser called to pay for them, it was on average a month at least before what he called ‘ready money’ passed into my hands.”
Henry Ellis also gives an account of one of his frequent trips to London to see suppliers, this one from 1831, it is as follows:
“Went to Barnards, manufacturing silversmiths, paid £76-10-0 amount of account, saw the fluted melon tea service intended by me as a present to dear Mary (his wife), nearly completed. Enquired for silver snuffers, which it appears are now seldom made, muffin plate with chased edges fashion 90/- Wt. 24oz. Plain do.22oz. 80/-. Stand for coffee pot about 12oz. 45/-. The B’s keep a large stock on hand of silver inkstands, cruet and liquor frames, in addition to their great variety of miscellaneous articles. Vine’s wedding ring manufacturers, settled his account and looked through his little stock. Widow’s nurled hoops 5/6 plain do. 4/6….noticed jewellery in the shop window laid out in small trays, earings on cards standing upright, gold chains suspended on crooks, Kings pattern silver forks ticketed in most of the windows at 7/9 per oz. Jonathan Hayne’s spoon manufactory in Red Lion Street–gave check for the amount of his account £66-7-5. Went to Angell’s silver plate manufacturers in Compton Street–gave check for amount of his account £28-9-0. Ordered mustard pots and cream ewers….”
So as can be seen the large manufactories were being used more and more. In time the shift would move to Birmingham and Sheffield who had the advantage of cheaper labour costs and it was London’s turn to suffer.
Regards Trev.
.
