Postby dognose » Tue Mar 30, 2021 6:12 am
FRANCIS HIGGINS & SON, Ltd.
9, Newman Street, London
In the long annals of the arts and crafts concerned with the precious metals, the standards of quality and workmanship distinguishing the productions of the London silversmiths have probably never been surpassed. That they are worthily maintained in our own time, is a fact which stands to the credit of representative firms such as the one named above — inheritors of traditions which their predecessors in business helped to establish. Messrs. Francis Higgins & Son, Limited, of Newman Street, are instanced here as conducting the operations of manufacturing silversmiths upon those lines of method and technique which have been followed by the best exponents at all periods of this famous London trade. Their business is doubtless one of the oldest of its kind now existing in the metropolis, having been founded in 1782 by Francis Higgins, grandfather of tile chairman of the present company. It has continued under the direction of members of the same family throughout its career of one hundred and thirty-two years, and was incorporated as a private limited company in 1909, Mr. Francis J. Higgins being chairman of the Directors, while the office of managing director is held by Mr. Joseph B. Stonebridge. This administration, duly promoting the commercial interests of the house, is at the same time fully in sympathy with the policy always pursued in regard to class and character of product. Buyers who have for years past held Messrs. Higgins' wares in high estimation, find them to-day as worthy of confidence as hitherto. The chief speciality of the house continues to be its well-known hand-forged spoons and forks. These are notable for the sterling worth and finished craftsmanship which a firm with a record dating from the old Georgian days might well be expected to take pride in exemplifying. About forty hands are employed in the manufacture — workmen for the most part of exceptional skill and experience; and there is manifestly a very proper sense of the dignity of an ancient and justly admired craft underlying the entire conduct of the business. Messrs. Francis Higgins & Son, Limited, do a widespread trade with connections of old standing in the United Kingdom, and have also well- established relations of considerable extent in the principal Colonial markets. It should be added that in 1911 they acquired the old-established business of Messrs. J. G. Crouch & Son, Water and Electro Gilders, Platers and Repairers (founded in 1802, and formerly carried on at 15, Bateman Street, W.) ; which concern they have transferred to their own premises at 9, Newman Street, W. They are consequently in a position to quote favourable rates for gilding, plating and repairing, and can ensure in all such work the same standard as in their silver work. Telephone : 8851 Central. Telegrams : " Solidness, London.
Source: The Business World - 1914
Trev.
