W.Leslie & Co Ironmongers, 2 Chowringhee Road, CalcuttaThe W. Leslie & Co. business was founded in 1890 in Calcutta, likely by "William Leslie" and a statement premises, "Leslie House" was built in 1912. After the founder passed away, his sons, Kenneth and Mark Leslie carried on the business till the early 1930’s. Around 1934, the business was sold, and the brothers returned to England. The company did for some time afterwards continued trading using the same name.
This is an image from a couple of silverplated dessert spoons. Obviously as indicated by the "D&A" mark these were imported spoons made by Danial & Arter of Birmingham UK.
There is a reference also in this Forum section of an "Alexander Leslie" in a partnership in a business of General Merchants, at Calcutta in 1860. The reference for that "LEWIS STEWART & Co" is shown below.
https://www.9251000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20CalcuttaI do not know if the two "Leslies" were connected. Is there a "Trev" who does?
In 1904 a "William Leslie" sole proprietor of W. Leslie & Co, "metal merchants", had a patent registered for "an improved portable water tank" (Indian Engineering, Volume 36).
In 1910 They were "ironmongers and metal merchants". I did see on line an advertisement for the supply of "bronzed cast iron ornamental garden fountains".
Later (1918) there were "two buildings occupied by the firm of William Leslie & Co., hardware and motor merchants, at 3 and 5 Chowringhee Road". The same source also states "William Leslie...had worked in the hardware field in Calcutta since the 1870s".(archivesearch.lib.cam.ac.uk )
The 2 buildings were likely the original buildings from the company's start and the "Leslie House" built in 1912. Below appears to be the early Leslie premises as there is a reference of "Leslie House" having twin domes.
Below is a link to a source I used. it continues the the history of the sold W. Leslie & Co on into the mid 20th century.
http://double-dolphin.blogspot.com/2014 ... howringheeBoth my reference sources quoted a book by Montague Massey “Recollections of Calcutta for over Half a Century”.
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