Early Australian Silversmiths

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JOHN PRENTICE

Lydiard Street, Ballarat


John Prentice - Ballarat - 1869

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JOHN GRESSWELL (GRESWELL)

Western Australia

Information regarding John Gresswell (b.1798, d.1882, Western Australia) can be found at: viewtopic.php?f=74&t=30594

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[bstaunto]

Hi Trev,

I think that this mark is now thought to be the Scottish Provincial Silversmith, John or James Walker of Aberdeen. Not sure if you would like to add that in as another option.

(Thanks for all this info about Australian silversmiths by the way!)

Ben Staunton

J. WALKER







There are two possibilities for the maker of this spoon. John Walker was in partnership with Timothy Jones as Walker & Jones, 338, George Street, Sydney, from 1858 until 1861-2, or John F. Walker, 371, Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, or of course there is always the possibility that both men are one of the same.

Source: 19th Century Australian Silver Vol. 1 & 2. By J.B. Hawkins

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Hi Ben,

Indeed, there are divided camps on this one, and it is odd how examples of this mark appear to crop up in both these countries. I wonder if anyone has done any research as to whether Walker, or perhaps a son, possibly worked in both places.

Probably best to leave the door slightly ajar on the possibility of Australian origin.

Regards, Trev.

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H.J. HERBERTE

63, Bourke Street East, Melbourne


H.J. Herberte - Melbourne - 1884

Around the time of this advertisement Henry Herberte took over the business of Moses Goldstein who had worked from the Bourke Street address since at least 1878. Goldstein was earlier recorded at 106, Lonsdale Street East.

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H. YOUNG (and subsequently H. YOUNG & COMP)

49-51 Collins St East

Son of T. Young. Henry initially worked with his father as T.YOUNG & SON, but in 1884 had premises as Henry Young & Co at 49-51 Collins St East (his father continuing his business as well).


An example of his mark.


H. Young Premises in 1883

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ETIENNE DUMENIL

44, Little Bourke Street West, Melbourne


Two Birds With One Stone.

The Age (Melbourne)reports that during the Easter holidays several robberies of a serious character have been reported to the detectives. On Monday the dwelling of Mr John George Porter, 25 Madeline street, Carlton, was forcibly entered, and property valued at about £80 was carried off. From inquiries made into this case and others of recent occurrence, it was ascertained that the robber had sold some, if not all, his plunder to a gold and silver smith in Little Bourke street to be melted up, and Sergeant-detective Lomaine, assisted by Detectives D. G. O'Donnell and Wardley, proceeded to the shop of Etienne Dumenil, a Frenchman by birth, a working silversmith, in business at 44, Little Bourke Street West, and there, much to the manifest surprise of the latter, the warrant was executed. Dumenil, who was evidently uneasy at the unexpected presence of the police, detained Sergeant Lomaine for nearly half an hour in the vain hope of getting rid of another troublesome and compromising visitor concealed at the back of his shop,whose presence the officers did not even suspect. When it became necessary to make search for stolen property the detectives discovered a notorious housebreaker and convict, known as Joey Brown alias Jack Sullivan in concealment, who, being wanted, was promptly arrested, On one pair of scales was fiiound a quantity of broken up silver jewellery, and on another some gold trinkets, all being ready for the melting pot which stoodclose at hand. Watches in numbers, gold lockets, gold chains, gold earrings and finger rings, studs, pendants, bracelets, and brooches were in the scales, all more or less damaged and ready to place in the crucible. Had the police officers delayed their visit another ten minutes all identification of these valuables would have been impossible. A gold watch, two gold chains, three gold lockets, a silver brooch, and four gold rings were picked out, and found to be the proceeds of the daring robbery committed at Porter's.

A gold dollar was recognised as a portion of some jewellery stolen on the 2nd inst. from a bedroom at Woft's Hotel, Spencer street. Other articles, believed to be the proceeds of recent robberies, are not yet identified by the owners. The detectives carefully examined the rest of the jeweller's work room. In it they found several valuables stolen from Porter's house. Dutnenil, who has been about 18 months in the city, working at his trade, has been for "Some time past suspected of receiving stolen jewellery, and once, recently, received a caution from the police. He and his friend Sullivan, who is about 23 years old, were taken to the city watchhouse and charged with stealing.

Souce: Southland Times - 25th April 1887

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PLATERS Pty Ltd.

39 Greeves St, St Kilda, Melbourne



Co-founded by Hans Henri Hecht, a German immigrant who came to Australia almost penniless, aged 19, in 1901, and died in 1965, leaving a fortune to charities.

Platers introduced 'Hecworth' range in the 1920's. Some pieces marked 'Hecworth Reproduction Old Sheffield'

The name 'Hecworth' was acquired by G.& E. Rodd Pty Ltd. (George and Ernest Rodd) in the mid to late 1940's following their takeover of Platers.

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MAYER COHEN later, Cohen & Son

Boulder City, Western Australia



Source: Government Gazette WA - 16th February 1900.

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THOMAS TOBIN

16, Bourke Street, Melbourne


ROBBERY OF JEWELLERY IN MELBOURNE.
(By Telegraph from our correspondent) Melbourne, Friday.

A well-planned robbory of jewellery was perpetrated between the hours of 7 and 9 this morning at the establishment of Thomas Tobin, watchmaker and jeweller, 16 Bourke-street. About £200 worth of property was stolen. The thieves were evidently acquainted with the arrangement of the business, and an admirably-timed raid was made when there was no one on the proraiHoa. The thieves entered by forcing the fanlight of the back door. When the assistant arrived shortly before 9 he noticed the back door open, and concluded that Mr. Tobin was about the premises, but Mr. Tobin entering by the front door led to the discovery of the robbery. About three months ago Mr. Tobin was robbed of property to the value of about £100.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 30th April 1892

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T. M. ALCOCK

Haymarket, Sydney

Attractive to a degree and popular in every sense of the word is the well-known and long-established house of Mr T. M. Alcock, watchmaker, jeweller, etc. in the Haymarket. This busy centre, indeed, is certain to be one of the sights of Sydney during the current holiday season. A high class stock of jewellery, well selected and displayed to the best advantage, is sure to command a large share of the attention of the thousands of sightseers who wish to 'do' the Sydney shops at Christmas time. Besides his rich and valuable stock of miscellaneous jewellery, comprising everything within the range of the jeweller's art. Mr. Alcock's establishment is noted for its splendid show of chronographs, watches, clocks and all that pertains to the recording of the hours. Stop-watches and every other requisite of the world of sport, including the necessary trophies for the victors are to be seen here in endless variety and every conceivable design. Rich and rare indeed are the gems which Mr Alcocks establishment offers to view, and the visitor has the advantage of being able to select her or his particular article from a stock that is constantly being replenished and enriched by fresh additions from the London house with which Mr Alcock's establishment is associated.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 22nd December 1896

T.M. Alcock was recorded at 672, George Street, Sydney in 1882.

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ARTHUR GUNTER

237, Bourke Street, Melbourne

Melbourne, Tuesday
The appeal by Arthur Gunter, watchmaker and jeweller, against the decision of the city magistates, who had fined him £10, with £10 10s costs, for selling a watchchain as 15-carat gold when it was only about 13-carat gold, was upheld to-day by Judge Gaunt, who, in giving his decision, said that he thought the appellant had used reasonable precaution to ascertain the quality of the articles sold.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 20th June 1894

Arthur Gunter jnr. was recorded at 237, Bourke Street, Melbourne, during the period 1894-1895.

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B.H. LINDELL

Hay Street, Perth

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
(By Telegraph from our correspondent)

Perth, Tuesday.
An audacious robbery was perpetrated in Hay Street, Perth, on Thursday evening last, between 5 and 6 o'clock. The shop of Mr B.H. Lindell, watchmaker and jeweller, was entered and robbed to the extent of £500 worth of property Mr. Lindell had closed on account of the Wednesday half-holiday, and went to Fremantle. On returning he discovered that the place had been entered by means of a skeleton key, and a clean sweep made of the contents of the shop. The thief must have quietly slipped out at the back with his booty. The robbery is surprising in view of the fact that hundreds of people were passing by the shop in the street.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 15th January 1896

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CARL AUGUST EGGERS

41, Oxford Street, Sydney


DEATHS
EGGERS. - August 22, at his late residence 41 Oxford-street, Carl August, beloved husband of Emmie Eggers, in his 41st year. Deeply regretted.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 25th August 1898


LAW REPORT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5.
BANKRUPTCY COURT.
VOLUNTARY SEQUESTRATIONS.
The estate of Call August Eggers, deceased, late of Oxford-street, Sydney, watchmaker and jeweller, on the petition of Emma Eggers, the executrix of the will of the deceased. Mr. N.T. Giblin, official assignee.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 6th January 1899


Re: the estate or Carl August Eggers, deceased. Emma Eggers, administratrix of the estate of C.A. Eggers, was examined by the official assignee.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - 23rd February 1899

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[silverly]

A twenty-three year old Carl Eggers sailed from Hamburg to Australia via London in 1880. His previous residence was Itzehoe, Prussia.

The first I see of him in Sidney directories is on William Street with the occupation watchmaker in 1884.

In 1891 there is a listing for C A Eggers & Co jewellers at 69 Oxford Street and 84 Williams Street.

From 1893 to 1897 he is listed at 41 Oxford Street.

There is a Sidney marriage record index preview that shows Carl A Eggers married Emma Fischer in 1883.

A Sidney Death Index 1898 registration for Carl A Eggers gives his parent's names as Henry and Agnes.

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ADOLPHUS BLAU

9, 11, and 15, Hunter Street, Sydney


A. Blau - Sydney - 1871


A. Blau - Sydney - 1881

Hungarian born Adolphus Blau left London on board the 'Prince of Wales' in November 1849 and arrived at Port Jackson on the 21st February 1850. It is thought he came to Australia to join Birnstingl & Co.. He appears on his own account as from 1853.

Adolphus Blau was first noted in 1849 and last noted in 1887.

177, and 489, George Street, Sydney are other addresses noted for this business.

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COHEN & SPYER

George Street, Sydney

TO THE PUBLIC - Mr. Felix Lynn, recently arrived from London, Working Jeweller and Silversmith, begs to acquaint the Public, that he has undertaken to superintend the Jewellery Department of Messrs. Cohen and Spyer, George-street. He has an extensive Assortment of every Description of Jewellery of the Best Gold and the newest and most approved London Fashions, consisting of ladies' neck and watch chains ; gentlemen's gold ditto ditto; chased rings, fairy rings, brooches, lockets, and every other description of Jewellery. N.B.-All Order for repairing or Manufacturing Jewellery will be punctually and strictly attended to.

Source: The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser - 27th June 1829

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MARGERY PULSFORD

Sydney

MAKER OF JEWELLERY

MRS. MARGERY PULSFORD, of Sydney, left last week for the East in search of fellow craftsmen. She is a silversmith, and has many beautiful pieces of jewellery to her credit. She will be away for six months, and intends to spend a great deal of that time in Java, Malay, Hongkong, Shanghai, and Peking. With her is a supply of Australian posters which she will distribute in the more remote places she visits. Mrs. Pulsford has done special jewellery work for the stage in Melbourne and London and, incidentally, recently made some attractive jewels for Dame Sybil Thorndike. Her jewellery is all hand-wrought, and she always endeavors to use Australian stones. Mrs. Pulsford is interested in the eduction of young children, and some time ago gave a series of talks on "The Child" over the air. She has also lectured for the Health Society in Queensland on food for hot climates.

Source: The Australian Women's Weekly - 27th July 1935

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J.J. COHEN

George Street, Sydney

Mr J. J. Cohen, silversmith, of George-street, was put upon his trial charged with assaulting and obstructing Constable Gobert in the execution of his duty. Mr Purefoy appeared as counsel, and Mr Smith as attorney for the defence. Constable Gobert deposed, that while conveying a man to the watch-house, on a charge of drunkenness, on the evening of the 17th February last, Mr Cohen struck him with his fist on the shoulder, exciting a mob, and rescuing the prisoner from his custody; two other witnesses were called in support of the charge. Mr Purefoy, in an eloquent address to the Jury, showed that his client, Mr Cohen, would not have had to appear before them that day, had not Mr Ryan Brenan refused to receive the evidence of his witnesses, tendered to him at the Police-office, from which Mr Cohen had been put to great annoyance and considerable expense in coming before them that day to remove the imputations cast upon him, in consequence of the refusal on the part of Mr Ryan Brenan ; and he would take that opportunity of convincing both the Court arid Jury, that the evidence tendered at the Police office by him (Mr Purefoy), was strictly legal and admissible, which he should show by calling the same witnesses before them that day. The following witnesses were then called. Mr John Badham proved that he was with Mr Cohen the whole of the time the occurrence took place ; that Mr Cohen never struck Gobert ; that he did not excite or cause a mob to collect, and that the prisoner was not rescued but voluntarily released by Gobert. John Ward and Thomas Scott corroborated this evidence, and the Jury returned a verdict of acquittal.

Source: The Australian - 14th April 1842

This is likely to be John Joel Cohen of John Joel Cohen & Son, 479, George Street, Sydney who was noted in 1847.

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LUDWIG HAHN

Boulder City, Western Australia

MARRIAGE
HAHN-STEVENSON.-On the 10th of January, at the residence of the bride's parents, Ascot-street, Ballarat West, Victoria, by the Rev.Charles Cameron, Hannah Maria, third daughter of John Stevenson, Esq., to Ludwig Hahn, jeweller, of Piesse-street, Boulder City, W.A., fourth son of Leopold Hahn, Esq., of Bohemia, Austria.

Source: Kalgoorlie Western Argus - 18th January 1900

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