Postby dognose » Fri Mar 22, 2013 5:57 am
A.W. RUSSELL
20, Toronto Street, later, 57, Yonge Street, Toronto
A. W. RUSSELL, WHOLESALE IMPORTER OF WATCHES AND JEWELLERY. Mr. A. W. Russell, wholesale importer of watches and jewellery, 57 Yonge Street, over the Express Office, came to Canada from New York, in the autumn of 1862. As the war had produced a perfect stagnation in the English watch trade there, he opened at 20 Toronto Street - business increasing and the office being rather confined, he removed last fall to his presentt very commodious office. The rooms are comfortably furnished and suitably fitted up to display to advantage the samples of the different varieties of goods, affording to his customers a comfort, not generally regarded by the trade. Mr. Russell had a great deal to contend against in establishing this present business. The retail trade had been dealing with the same houses for upwards of twenty years, which were principally located in Montreal. His customers had to be seduced from these importers, and to do this, it was necessary to supply goods at moderate rates, and of a thoroughly reliable character. The Montreal houses had, to a certain extent, abused the confidence of the retail trade by selling inferior and unreliable goods. When the genuine article purchased in the legitimate course of trade, was offered, and a corresponding price demanded, it required at first all the powers of persuasion and business tact, to effect sales. It has taken four years to convince the trade that Mr. Russell could import for them as advantageously as the Montreal houses, and to establish, as it were, Toronto as the centre for Western buyers. His efforts, however, have at length been highly successful, for there is now hardly a watchmaker of any pretensions whatever, in Western Canada, who does not deal with him, and a great many almost exclusively. The celebrated watches manufactured by Thos. Russell & Son. chronometer makers to the Queen, (of which firm Mr. Russell is a partner), he makes a speciality of. The watches have gained a wide spread celebrity in the Province, for being superior and reliable time keepers. His stock of watches and jewellery is very extensive and well assorted, embracing all the different varieties of English and Swiss watches, fine gold, plated and the other kinds of jewellery; offering to the Western trade one of the best assortments both in respect to value and variety. As Toronto is the most central market, and the most accessible from all points in Upper Canada, it offers great advantages to the Western buyer. This fact is fully sustained from the fact that not one of the retail trade West of Kingston now go to Montreal, to purchase stock, either in the spring or fall, all now make Toronto their centre or market. To Mr. Russell this is in a great measure due. The superior manufacture of his goods, and consequent entire satisfaction which they afford, especially the Russell watch, together with a judicious outlay in making the public aware of the advantages possessed by him, has done much to bring about this very desirable state of affairs. An assortment of their superior and well known watches constantly kept in stock by the following thoroughly reliable houses-–
In Toronto, by J. Robinson & Co., J. E. Ellis, W. Wharin & Co., J. Wanless and E. M. Morphy.
In London, by J. H. Jackson, P. Wyckoff, and L. S. Ware.
In St. Catherines, by J. B. Fowler, Douglas & McMullen, and J. W. Jackson.
In Kingston, by J. Johnston, M. & R. Gage, and C. Spangenberg.
In Hamilton, by B. Batty, and S. Lees.
In Brantford, by J. Griffith, and J. Creyk
In Simcoe, by G. F. Counter, and G. L. Darling.
In Woodstock, by R. Woodroofe, and R. A. Dingwall.
In Guelph by R. Cuthbert.
In Windsor, by J. Frazer.
In Chatham, by J. Marquand.
In Stratford, by L. A Dyke.
In Port Hope, by H. Perry.
In Brockville, by S. B. Steacey.
In Bramoton. by H. Page.
In Gait, by J. Kay.
In Sarnia, by J. C. Balster.
In Berlin, by W. Knell
In Belleville, by J. Taylor.
In Bowmanville, by W,. Cornish & Son.
In Oshawa, by F. Taylor and Phil. Taylor.
In Ingersol, by T. P. Fawkes, and C.P. Wall.
In St. Mary's, by W. Mercer.
In Elora, by S. B. Stevenson.
In Newcastle, by M. Henry.
In Brooklyn, by W. Hepinstall.
In Durham, by P. H. Edwards.
Source: Toronto as a Market for Western Canada Merchants with Descriptive Notes of the Principal Business Establishments in the City - 1866
RUSSELLS'
9 King Street West, Toronto
RUSSELLS', Watches, Jewellery, Etc., 9 King Street West ; Robert Cuthbert, Proprietor.– One of the representative watch and jewellery stores in Toronto is that known as Russells', 9 King Street West, of which Mr. Robert Cuthbert is the popular proprietor. This was a branch of the famous English house of Thomas Russell & Son, which was established in Liverpool, England, in 1797. The Toronto house was opened in 1860 under the management of Mr Cuthbert, who, in 1881, purchased the business which he conducts under the name of "Russells'," by terms of his purchase. Mr. Cuthbert occupies two well-equipped floors, each 30 x 50 feet in area, where he keeps in stock a splendid assortment of English chronometers, Russell's Brand, stop, Swiss and American watches of the most famous makers, clocks silver and plated ware, diamond goods, jewellery of artistic designs, and all articles usually found in a first-class establishment. All goods purchased at this house are warranted to be exactly as represented, or money will be refunded. A specialty is made of repairing fine and complicated watches, all work being guaranteed. All jewellery goods dealt in are selected with great care, the first consideration being excellence of workmanship and beauty of design. Popular prices prevail and patrons are always sure of getting genuine articles. Mr. Cuthbert was born in England, but has resided in Toronto the greater part of his life, where he is highly esteemed by the community for his ability and integrity. He employs four clerks, and his trade extends throughout the entire Dominion.
Source: Illustrated Toronto - The Queen City of Canada - Its Past Present and Future - 1890
Robert Cuthbert, for many years the manager of Thomas Russell & Son's watch and jewelry concern in Toronto, and who subsequently succeeded to their business, continuing the same under the name of Russell's, 9 King St. W., Toronto, has determined to close out and retire from the business. He intends first to place himself on equal terms with the world by paying everybody he owes. He advertises that he has enough assets to do this. All or part of the stock will be offered at public auction.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 5th August 1891
Trev.