Gourdel, Valès & Co. - Paris & London

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GOURDEL, VALÈS & Co.

6 & 7, Old Change, later, 57, Great Marlborough Street, London


This business was started in France in 1827 by Constant Valès at 161, Rue St Martin, Paris. They were exhibitors at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862.

A London branch was established in 1857 under the style of Gourdel, Valès & Co. importing gold and silver jewellry, mostly from France and Austria.



Gourdel, Valès & Co. - London - 1880


It is likely they followed Berthold Muller as the London agent for Neresheimer's Hanau exports.

They became a limited liability company in 1930, but went into voluntary liquidation in 1939.

Gourdel, Valès & Co. entered marks at the London, Chester and Birmingham assay offices.



Trev.

[MCB]

Hello Trev,

It seems odd that this firm was trading in the UK from 1857 but apparently first registered a mark at an Assay Office as late as 1887. Presumably, for whatever reason, their goods were not covered by the Hallmarking Acts until then.

Regards,
Mike

[dognose]

Hi Mike,

That's a good point.

I'm not aware of the date of the Birmingham registration, but if not nearer to the 1857 date, then it is odd.

The Customs Act of 1842 made it illegal to sell imported gold and silver until it had passed through the hands of a British assay office. My only thought is that Gourdel, Valès & Co. were maybe using the services of another person as a proxy who was registered at one of the assay offices.

Regards Trev.

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A clearer image of the Gourdel, Valès & Co. mark, this time on a thimble assayed at Chester in 1896.



The actual maker of this thimble is known to Charles Horner. The Registered Design Number 210800 was registered to Horner on the 18th April 1893.

See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3603

Trev.

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Gourdel, Valès & Co. - London - 1903

Trev.

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A WONDERFUL SHILLING FRAME

In a recent number we mentioned a silver photograph frame of marvellous value which was then being made up in quantities to place on the market with some chance of coping with the certain demand, and we are now able to give an illustration (life-size) of this splendid selling line.



As we then stated it is the production of Messrs. Gourdel, Vales & Co., of 57, Great Marlborough Street, W., who have been responsible for so many novelties in fancy jewellery. It is of hallmarked silver, to stand, has round opening with double beaded rim, and sells at the popular sum of One shilling, after giving the retailer his full profit, delivered. Each frame is boxed, and each dozen is packed in a strong box, one in every twelve frames having a silver print photograph of some pretty face to show it to full advantage in the window.

That this is far and away the best value ever offered will be admitted, and although they are made up at the rate of 3.000 per week the demand for them exceeded even this rapid production. Early application should be made to the firm to ensure prompt supplies.

Source: Stationery Trades' Journal - January 1903

Trev.

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Gourdel, Valès & Co. - London - 1903

Trev.

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The novelties to be seen in Messrs. Gourdel Valé’s well-stocked show-rooms at 57, Great Marlborough Street, W., strike out on a somewhat different line to those we have lately noticed and appeal very strongly as saleable items, to the medium and good class fancy stationer.

Mention may perhaps first be made of the novel and useful pencil case illustrated below, which seems likely to have quite a striking run. This is in sterling silver to hold a flat pencil, and at the head is a round box with glass front. The back of the box has a milled edge which allows of its being turned and, as it moves round, the suit—clubs, hearts, spades or diamonds—which happen to be trumps a pear at the opening, a piece of information which elderly payers especially are very frequently in want of. The finish and appearance of this article are first class and the combination is a good idea.

The other flat pencil shown is a new size in enamelled silver, in the usual four colours, starred, and costing 36s. per doz.

The knife is a new patent intended for ladies' use. It has two blades, but instead of opening these in the usual way, at the risk of injuring finger nail or glove, the rings seen at the end have merely to be turned, key fashion, when the blade is opened out and held rigid by a spring. The scales are brought unusually close together to take up little room in bag or case. In gun-metal the cost is 3s 3d., and in polished silver 4s.

A cleverly designed pencil which will meet the taste of those who like to use the regular size cedar pencil, and yet do not want the bother of having to fix it by the screw thread, has a hexagonal centre which, by a patent spring, holds firmly any pencil about the ordinary diameter. In gun-metal this costs 20s. doz., in silver 30s. doz., and in gold 13s. 6d. each.



A class of goods which the firm are now giving increased attention to and which many Stationers cultivate, are watches, both separately and in stands and cases. One case, just completed, struck us as being useful, taking in appearance, and of undoubted good value. This was in crimson French morocco, 4 in. x 4½, to stand, with strap above and handsome silver mounts on the front. This, containing a watch of good size and sound quality, sells at 25s., but numerous other styles are to be seen at prices both above and below that figure.

Silver frames of all shapes and sizes have now received many additions, and full information about these, or sample panels for selection, should be obtained by those who wish to offer tempting lines. Three sizes of Kodak frames, with beaded rims and plain outsides, cost 2s. each for 2½ in. sight, 3s. for 3 in., an 3s. 8d. for 3¾ in. The champion shilling-silver frame which we illustrated last month is, as we prophesied, meeting with an enormous demand, while the manner in which each piece is boxed, then again compactly cased in dozens, with the one indicated which contains the specimen photograph, makes it one of the most compact and pleasant lines a retailer can possibly handle.

Other fancy novelties which are now on the point of completion will be noticed in our next.

Source: Stationery Trades' Journal - February 1903

Trev.

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Gourdel, Valès & Co. - London - 1903

Trev.

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NOVELTIES IN SILVER WARE FOR HIGH CLASS STATIONERS

This is the correct description of the goods which Messrs. Gourdel, Vales & Co. have on view at 57, Great Marlborough Street, W., and which are constantly being added to by new patterns and fresh lines.

Last month we mentioned the hall-marked silver watch case, which represented an entire range of watches in various forms. These are all reliable makes and good time keepers, though the prices are most moderate. We now give an illustration of the style referred to.



In silver Photo Frames some very handsome and new designs have just been added. These are desirable goods as the decoration belongs to the New Art school, though modified to harmonise more with the spirit of English taste. A most delicate and pretty effect is obtained by the contrast of dull French grey oxydising with bright polished silver. This combination strikes out a fresh path which is certain to be appreciated by the public.

We may add that early next month Messrs. Gourdel, Vales & Co. will have the “Trump Indicator," illustrated in our last issue as a charm only, suitable for wearing on a watch chain or bangle.

Source: Stationery Trades' Journal - March 1903

Trev.

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Gourdel, Valès & Co. - London - 1903

Trev.

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SILVER CHARMS



Messrs. Gourdel, Vales & Co., 57, Great Marlborough Street, W., have now ready the "What are Trumps" Charm, which we intimidated last month would follow on the success of the new patent pencil. The charm consists of a revolving head with cut-out revealing the answer to the question, and is finely made in silver, costing the trade 15s. per doz. Its motif seems to be just suited to this form of ornament.

Source: Stationery Trades' Journal - April 1903

Trev.

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Gourdel, Valès & Co. - London - 1903

Trev.

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Trade-Mark Registrations Granted July 24, 1923

170,937. JEWELRY. Louis Reubenstone, New York, N. Y., assignor to Herbert Nalty, trading as Gourdel Vales & Co., London, Eng.
Filed September 13, 1922. Serial 169,423.
PUBLISHED APRIL 24, 1923.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th August 1923

Trev.