Mappin & Webb - Mappin Bros. - Mappin, Webb & Co. - Info.

[dognose]

A chance observation of Lord Wharncliffe, who presided at the last lecture in connection with Messrs. Mappin and Webb's Art course, has had the effect of opening the floodgates of newspaper controversy on a subject of considerable interest to all connected with the silver trade. His lordship suggested that art workmen who might have designed the work which they afterwards executed should be allowed to strike their own individual marks on such work, in conjunction with that of the firm for which they worked. As to this there does not appear to have been any difference of opinion, but in the course of the correspondence which ensued in the columns of the Sheffield Press the subject developed into a consideration of the status of the art workman in general. Some bitter things were written by correspondents who evidently did not speak without the book. It was asserted, for example, that many such artisans of first rate ability were not earning the wages of colliers, and the late Gillies Mackenzie and Alfred Stephens were cited as cases in point. The remedy suggested, however, viz., that clients who desire genuine pieces of art workmanship should give their orders direct to the workman, is clearly inapplicable to our modern industrial system, whatever it may have been in the days of Benvenuto Cellini. It requires a very large constituency to keep the huge establishments of Sheffield going, and the intervention of the shopkeeper is absolutely necessary to effect this. The ingrained philistinism of the general public is really responsible for the whole mischief. When the British buyer is educated up to the point of knowing good work when he sees it, it will then pay manufacturers to offer some inducement to art workmen to remain in the trade, instead of leaving it for more lucrative occupations, as they do at present to a very undesirable extent.

Source: Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st March 1894

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb (1908 Ltd.) - London - 1910

Trev.

[dognose]

Detail of a letter, sent by Sir Frederick Crockford, senior partner in Mappin Brothers, to The Times newspaper complaining of the disruption caused during the construction of the Metropolitan Railway line in Cannon Street:

30th April 1884. Sir Henry Peek.
Dear Sir,–Astonishment can hardly convey the extent of our surprise on learning that Sir Edward Watkin has stated that he was unaware that any inconvenience or injury has been suffered by firms on the route of the extension of the underground railways in this neighbourhood; and that he had never heard of our complaint. In reply to this statement we may say that the outcry has not only been loud, but universal to our knowledge, and it occurs to us that Sir Edward must have gone about the neighbourhood blindfold, or he could not have failed to see this himself. Our letter of complaint was inserted in the "Daily News" on or about the 21st, and in the " Times" on the 25th December. Very probably it appeared in other papers also. It seems strange that these letters should have escaped notice in the proper quarter, for the fact remains, that the work (if such it may be called by courtesy previous to these letters being published) was immediately thereupon taken up in the way it should have been from the first. Gangs of men of sufficient numbers rapidly brought the roads into a trafficable state. This clearly shows that the convenience of the public and the interests of business men are merely secondary considerations to the promoters and shareholders of railway companies. We consider that the difference in our returns may be reckoned by thousands in consequence, and business men are well aware that trade once diverted is difficult to recover. Were we in possession of business premises, in the Edgware-road, we should strain every nerve to resist the proposed railway in that direction. If this result cannot be attained, we consider it imperative to limit the duration of the work to its narrowest limits, mulcting in damages any excess, much in the same way as merchants pay demurrage tor delay in loading or unloading ships. As these enterprises are carried on for the benefit of shareholders and others, it does seem to us most unfair that any section of the community should be made to suffer in the slightest degree for the pecuniary advantage of others without being compensated.
We are, Dear Sir Henry, yours faithfully, Mappin Brothers."

Source: Parliamentary Papers, House of Commons and Command - Volume 15 - 1884

Trev.

[dognose]

MAPPIN & WEBB (South Africa) Ltd.

Mappin House, Plein Street, Johannesburg.


Mappin & Webb Ltd. - Johannesburg - 1916


Some images of the Mappin & Webb Johannesburg shop following the transformation of their oldest overseas branch in 1960.









Trev.

[dognose]

Source: Great Britain, Her Finance and Commerce: Souvenir Edition of The Morning Post - 1901

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb (1908 Ltd.) - London - 1910

Trev.

[dognose]

The Sheffield Teachers' Association for the promotion of physical exercises in the schools of the town has been the cause of the production of two admirable specimens of art workmanship. These consist of two handsome shields manufactured by Messrs. Mappin and Webb, of Norfolk-street, one presented by Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin, Bart, M.P., and the other by the Mayor (Alderman Langley). The repousse work is of a high order, and is honestly produced by the "snarling iron" and the chaser's "punch." It is easy to see that the artisans of the firm are profiting by the course of instruction in art which they are now undergoing, as the workmanship of the shield appears to indicate a love of work for its own sake.

Source: Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 2nd January 1893

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb Ltd. - London - 1908

Trev.

[dognose]

STERLING SILVER BEDROOM SUITE

An order recently received by Messrs. Mappin & Webb, of Sheffield from a Eastern palace, is of such a kind as to interest every silversmith, as its execution involved much skill.



It was for a complete suite of bedroom furniture in Sterling silver, comprising twelve ordinary and easy chairs, two couches, four tables, one large cabinet, one dressing table, and a bedstead. These pieces are all modelled and chased in the style of the French "Louis" period, and the effect is shown by the illustrations, representing one of the chairs and a table. This furniture, reminding one of fairy tale days, is temporarily upholstered in dark blue plush, which will eventually give place to a costly silk brocade.



A great deal of thought has been expended on the bedstead, which embodies in its design allegorical panels copied from pictures by Mr. Albert Moore, of the Royal Academy. It suggests slumber in every detail. The display of the suite in the London show rooms of the company, naturally attracted much attention.

Source: The Metal Industry - February 1905

Trev.

[dognose]

Edmund Boder, sales manager of Mappin & Webb, Canada, Ltd., Montreal, has sailed for Europe.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th January 1921

Trev.

[dognose]

HOW MAPPIN & WEBB WERE MAKING THEIR FORKS AND SPOONS IN 1915

The 'Wilzin Process' of flatware manufacture







Source: The Metal Industry - September 1915

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb Ltd. - London - 1903

Trev.

[dognose]

A remarkable series of frauds on well-known firms of London jewelers has come to light with the sentence at London Sessions of a traveler to four years' penal servitude on charges of robbery and false pretense.

The man's scheme was to obtain orders to view London mansions from house-agents, and then have such big jewelers as Mappin & Webb and Barrett & Sons, of Piccadilly, send a selection of their stocks to these mansions while the bogus owner was on the premises. Before he was cornered by detectives the schemer, who was turned 60 years of age, had obtained silver tankards, candelabra, gold cigaret cases,
crocodile suit cases and similar highly priced articles.

The case, naturally has been followed with a good deal of interest by the trade here. The charges included the impersonation of well-known baronets, obtaining jewelry in the name of Royalty and a peeress, the theft of antique silver from Messrs Mappin & Webb, and an attempt to obtain by fraud from the latter firm a pearl necklace valued at $7,500.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 10th December 1919

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb - London - 1884

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb Ltd. - London - 1918

Trev.

[dognose]

WHERE THE RATEPAYER'S MONEY GOES!

"The Mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the Borough of St. Marylebone were summoned yesterday," states The Daily Express of October 11th, 1906, "at the Marylebone Police Court by Messrs. Mappin and Webb, Limited, of Oxford-street, for failing on five days last month to maintain a supply of electric energy sufficient for the use of the firm, contrary to the St. Marylebone Electric Lighting Order (1901).

"It was stated that the Borough Council had agreed to maintain a voltage of 100, but that on the days in question and several other days the voltage had fallen much below this standard, and Messrs. Mappin and Webb were compelled to use candles and oil lamps.

"The Borough's defence was that Messrs. Mappin and Webb had refused to agree to a proposal for a voltage of 240, which would entail considerable alteration in the fittings at their premises.

"The magistrate ordered the Borough to pay a fine of £50 and £10 10s. costs, and stated that if there was any further failure to supply the proper voltage there would be a continuing penalty of £2 a day."

Source: London Municipal Notes - London Municipal Society - 1906

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb Ltd. - London - 1918

Trev.

[dognose]

In the meantime the principal silver and electro-plate firms are still extending their borders. Some time ago I mentioned a report that Mappin and Webb contemplated extensive additions to their premises. The matter is now placed beyond question. A long range of frontage in Norfolk Street presents the forlorn aspect of empty tenements upon which a board proclaims the names of the architect and contractor who are going to erect additional buildings for the firm in question. Demolitions are also in progress in Eyre Street adjoining the works of Messrs. Walker and Hall, who only a short time since absorbed a considerable amount of land in the direction of Norfolk Street. It is probable, too, that the works of Mappin Bros., recently acquired by the London Goldsmiths' Company, will be very much enlarged when the leases of the adjoining properties fall in–an event of the near future.

Source: Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st August 1890

Trev.

[dognose]

Mappin & Webb Ltd. - London - 1918

Trev.

[dognose]

A GREAT SILVER SALE

Following the prevailing tendency towards enlargement, combination, and consolidation, Messrs. Mappin and Webb, Limited, and Messrs. Mappin Brothers, both enjoying a reputation that without exaggeration maybe called world-wide, decided recently to join forces, and without question the public will be the gainers. The first practical outcome of the amalgamation is proof of this, taking, as it does, the form of a very large sale of silver ware and electro-plated ware of the finest quality at very heavy reductions in price, the sale, being entered upon for purely business-like reasons, in order that the combined firms may have every opportunity of offering the public all that is latest and best and most up-to-date in their joint productions. Some idea of the extent of this great silver sale may be gathered from the fact that it will proceed for some weeks simultaneously at all of the four establishments of the combined firms, namely, in the case of Messrs. Mappin and Webb, Limited, at their West-End establishment, 158-162, Oxford Street, W., and their City house, 2, Queen Victoria Street, EC, and in that of Messrs. Mappin Brothers, at their West-End house, 220, Regent Street, W., and at their City premises, 66, Cheapside, EC.

During the sale every kind of silver and electro-plate, whether for the table or toilet, the whole range of fanciful artistic silver for decorative purposes, in the form of vases, claret-jugs, tea services, coffee services, centrepieces, dessert services, and all the thousand and-one things which beautify and add to the charm and comfort of our houses, will be offered on terms low enough to attract all who appreciate articles of the finest quality at bargain prices.

There is something singularly appropriate in the amalgamation of these two famous business-houses. The original firm was that of Messrs. J. Mappin and Brothers, established as far back as the year 1810, and both the firms which have now amalgamated practically sprang from the same source, although it happened that they worked independently for more than half-a-century. Both were pioneers of the movement which they have always adhered to, by which they supply the public direct from their manufacturers, and both have large factories at Sheffield, which will now be under single control; and thus both Messrs. Mappin and Webb, Limited, and Messrs. Mappin Brothers assume a direct responsibility for the quality of their productions, which have in each case consistently been of the highest class.

Messrs. Mappin and Webb, who have branches at Johannesburg, Nice, and Aix-les-Bains, Cairo, Alexandria, Rangoon, Jamaica, and other places abroad, have built up steadily, through several generations, universal reputation for every description of table cutlery and silver and plated table equipments, decorative table-ware, etc.; they have also been the manufacturers of innumerable pieces of notable presentation plate, including many caskets presented to Royalty, heroes, great statesmen and official personages, while challenge shields, regimental trophies, &'c., have been executed by them in large numbers and with uniform success. These trophies, in particular, have been almost invariably modelled and produced at their London factory, Winsley Works, Oxford Street, W., where, in 1886, they transplanted what was at that period the finest business in the world for this class of work, namely, that of Messrs. Stephen Smith, then of Covent Garden. The latter firm was established as long ago as 1780, and when taken ever by Messrs. Mappin and Webb possessed a collection of models which included statuettes of almost every regiment in the British Army.

It is interesting to know that very many of the men who worked for Messrs. Stephen Smith are still in the employ of Messrs. Mappin and Webb, Limited, and may be reckoned among the finest craftsmen in the country. In this factory, too, Messrs. Mappin and Webb possess the notable advantage of being able to invite their customers to inspect the work in its various stages–in clay, plaster, and silver– and so ensure that perfect accuracy of detail for which they have always been noted. Their commercial goods have been made at their "Royal" Works, Sheffield, which for many years have been the largest in that town. Messrs. Mappin Brothers also possess a very extensive factory at Sheffield, and the combination of these two huge works, where many hundreds of hands are employed, cannot fail to benefit both the amalgamating firms and the customers whom they supply. Both firms are holders of many Royal Warrants, and their name, as I have said, is a guarantee for everything that leaves their premises.

Source: The Sketch - 4th February 1903

Trev.