Elkington & Co. - Information and Advertisements

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Elkington & Co. Ltd. - London - 1913

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Medal for the West Lancashire Cross Country Association:




E & Co - Birmingham - 1924

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Elkington & Co. Ltd. - Glasgow - c.1920

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MESSRS. ELKINGTON & CO., LIMITED,

NEWHALL STREET, BIRMINGHAM ; 22, REGENT STREET, and 73, CHEAPSIDE. LONDON, and BRANCHES.

The history of a great English art-industry is practically epitomised in the records of this eminent firm of manufacturing goldsmiths, silversmiths, and jewellers, the founder of which introduced nearly three-quarters of a century ago the electro-lytic method of coating metals which we know as electro-plating, and thus created a new craft which was destined to supersede the old system of "Sheffield plating." Since then, the name of Elkington has become world-famous, and Elkington Plate is a synonym for beauty of appearance and excellence of quality which command universal recognition. The Present company incorporated in 1887, has continued with signal success at its Newhall Street works in Birmingham, an industry of which the Midland Metropolis is justly proud. While the house has always been to the fore in this matter, its operations have extended into other branches of the working of precious metals. Messrs. Elkington & Co., Limited, being no less celebrated in these days as artistic goldsmiths and jewellers than as leading exponents of electro-plating. They specialise in the finest classes of art-work and design in gold and silver, and there is always a magnificent exhibition of such work at the Elkington show-rooms in Regent Street and Cheapside (the company's two London establishments), as well as at the Birmingham headquarters, and the branch houses at Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Calcutta. Besides these branches, the company has agencies the world over, notably at Rangoon, Buenos Ayres, Monte Video, Santiago (Chili), Rio de Janeiro, Alexandria, Singapore, Cairo, Smyrna, Constantinople, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Montreal. Messrs. Elkington have long enjoyed the honour of Royal patronage, and their Warrants of Appointment include those of His Majesty King George V., his late Majesty King Edward VII., their Majesties the Kings of Italy, of Spain, and of the Belgians, and the Imperial Court of Austria. Telegraphic Address : " Elkington " (Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle)

Source: The Business World - 1914

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THE MANCHESTER EXHIBITION

The Manchester Exhibition was opened on Tuesday, May 3, by the Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness being accompanied by the Princess. The Exhibition building is a fine edifice having a handsome exterior ; it is in the form of a Latin cross, over the centre of which towers an immense dome of nearly 150 feet in height. At each end of the central nave rise graceful towers, flanking two quadrangular pavilions. The grouping of dome, pavilions and towers, as seen from a little distance, is most effective, and makes an admirable sky-line ; while the picturesque situation, with the fine trees of the Botanical Gardens as a background, enhances the pleasing aspect of the whole Exhibition. There are two annexes to the main building in which the machinery is placed, and the total area covered by the Exhibition, inclusive of the Botanical Gardens, is 43 acres, that of the buildings alone occupying eleven acres. The space devoted to machinery is 135,000 square feet, which is half as much again as was given for the same purpose to the exhibitions last year at London, Edinburgh and Liverpool put together.

The following are the departments into which the Exhibition is divided : — Industrial Design ; Silk Industry, Machinery, &c; Chemical and allied Industries ; Photography ; Handicrafts in Operation, Music, Electric Lighting, Horticulture, &c; Irish Section and Fine Arts.

Among the exhibits most interesting to our readers, the first which strikes us is that of Messrs. Elkington & Co., who have been favoured by the committee with a conspicuous place in the Exhibition ; and this is fully justified by a remarkably beautiful display of objets d'art in the precious metals, and also in articles of a more useful kind. The position of the case is immediately facing the great dome, opposite the gallery leading to the machinery annexe, and adjacent to the gallery of approach. Several of the articles shown have already been exhibited in the Royal Academy, and some have been submitted to the Queen for Her Majesty's inspection and approval. One of the principal objects displayed is the shield illustrating passages from " The Pilgrim's Progress." In the centre is a spirited representation of the combat between Christian and Apollyon, the subjects of the surrounding panels representing various episodes in the work. The border is of iron, most beautifully and richly damascened with gold. The value of this shield is £1,500. There are also two fine racing cups — the Goodwood Cup of 1881 and the Croydon Cup — as well as two beautiful equestrian statuettes, modelled in oxydised silver, and rich in chasing and gold. All that art can possibly do seems to have been expended on the various plaques, shields, punch bowls, candelabra and other articles to grace the tables of the wealthy. Beautiful vases, modelled by artists of the highest rank, and cunningly decorated with wonderful life-like figures, richly damascened in silver and gold, are here in profusion. One vase in particular is a gem of its kind. It was designed and wrought by the artist's own hand. The decoration is graceful and true to nature. Although this vase stands only about 20 inches high it is valued at no less than £650. Two plaques, also by the same master-hand, represents scenes from "Much Ado About Nothing" and " The Merchant of Venice." These are valued at £1,000 each. Various other plaques and tazzas represent " Perseus and Andromeda," " Cupid and Phryne," " Melpomene," " St. George and the Dragon," " Truth and Fable," " Psyche," and other subjects. A fine reproduction is a grand cup from Nuremberg, standing nearly 4 feet high. This is a splendid example of mediaeval work. Other reproductions include silver gilt salver, from the Popta Hospital at Marssum, Dutch work, 16th century ; also silver ewer and a pair of candlesticks of the same period ; a grand tankard covered with Danish coins ; a ewer from the Winter Palace of St. Petersburg, forming part of a toilet service made for the Empress Manova in 1730 ; a flagon from the treasury of the Patriarch, Moscow, date 1610 ; a very fine cup and cover, from the Kremlin, Moscow, 17th century work, and a grand silver gilt salver, also from the Kremlin, chased with a variety of ornaments, set with six placques of ivory, and jewelled with rubies ; a remarkable flask stopper and chain, inscribed in Sclavonic, sent to the Czar Alexis Michailovich by the King of England, Charles II., in 1661 ; a fine dish, ornamented with rich chasing, the centre containing a bold bas relief, "Venus Navigating the Sea," and which formed one of the prizes given by the Queen at Wimbledon ; the Milton Shield, the original of which was purchased by the Government for £3,000, now in South Kensington Museum ; twelve 16th century plates, representing the labours of Hercules ; also the " Toilet of a Pompeian Lady," one of the most charming placques ever modelled. Messrs. Elkington & Co. are the only manufacturers of cloisonne enamels in this country. A few fine specimens are here shown, notably a pair of tall cylindrical vases, which are valued at 100 guineas, and a few choice smaller ones. The silver dessert service of the Queen Anne period is worthy of attention : it is valued at £800. The display of useful articles is very good, and includes a beautiful tea and coffee service of the Gothic period ; a richly chased and gilt dessert service, "Bacchanalian;" also the Satyr service, most exquisitely modelled ; and a variety of cruet frames, candelabra, waiter, &c. Elkington's art gold bronze must also not be forgotten. This is the most recent production in metals, suited to the art worker's craft.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller & Silversmith - 1st June 1887

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The Cunard Liner 'Mauretania'

The service of plate, supplied by Messrs. Elkington & Co., Limited, of London, embraces more than 3,000 pieces of what is briefly described by the makers as “ hollow ware ”— tea and coffee pots, sugar basins, cream ewers, entree dishes, vegetable dishes, cruet frames, butter coolers, sauce boats, soup tureens, souffle dishes, and many other accessories, including nearly 16,000 spoons and forks. The general design adopted in the service embodies the distinctive features of several well-known styles, and follows what is now recognised as the “Cunard” standard. Utility has been, of course, the primary consideration, but decoration has not been neglected; and it is a most successful feature in the fruit dishes, which are heavily chased and lined with gold. Where a simpler ornament has been possible, it takes the appropriate form of a cable mount. The plant as a whole, decorated and plain, will be distinctly pleasing to the eye of the most fastidious ocean traveller.

Source: The Shipbuilder - November 1907

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The White Star Liners, 'Olympic' and 'Titanic'

The service of plate, which comprises in all about 10,000 pieces, has been supplied by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co., Ltd., of London, a firm who have had great experience with the supply of plate to large hotels. In the case of the Olympic and Titanic various novel features have been introduced. One of the largest pieces in the service is a massive duck press, which forms a most imposing adjunct. There is also a neat portable spirit lamp, with a quick-heating flame, for keeping warm special sauces and making Turkish coffee. Further novelties are the fruit tymbal and caviar dishes, in which the contents are kept cool by an ice bath when taken from the cold storage and placed before the passenger.

On the waiting tables are electrically heated Rechaud stands of the Goldsmiths Company’s special type. One of the advantages of this useful article is that any degree of heat, when once obtained, can be retained by a very small consumption of electricity. Another point which may be mentioned is that all handles, covers, parts, and fittings are interchangeable, an arrangement which greatly facilitates cleaning and general utility.

The cutlery, spoons, forks, and small wares, numbering over 21,000 pieces, and about 3,000 dishes, tureens, and other larger goods, have been supplied by Messrs. Elkington & Co., of Birmingham.

Source: The Shipbuilder - Midsummer 1911

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Walter Locke & Co. - Calcutta - 1893

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Elkington & Co. Ltd. - London - 1923

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ELKINGTON & CO., LIMITED, ART METAL WORKERS, SILVERSMITHS, AND ELECTRO-PLATE MANUFACTURERS,
23 AND 25, CHURCH STREET, LIVERPOOL.

THIS world-renowned firm control the largest and most notable industry in connection with high-class and artistic electro-plating that has ever existed, and their vast business is the result of more than half a century’s steady development, for it was in the year 1836, that the late Mr. G. R. Elkington and Mr. H. Elkington first began to take out patents for their invaluable discoveries. To these gentlemen belongs the honour of having first placed the process of electro-plating upon a sound commercial footing, and though many claims have been put forward for the distinction of the original discovery, it is beyond question that Messrs. Elkington were foremost in the field as its practical exponents, and that they soon outstripped their rivals and imitators by reason of the superior skill and talent they brought to bear upon their work. It is known in every quarter of the globe, goods bearing the Elkington registered mark (“E. & Co.” on a shield) being esteemed throughout the civilised world for their perfection of design, quality, and workmanship; and besides their headquarters in Newhall Street, Birmingham, and their fine showrooms in Liverpool, Messrs. Elkington & Co. have branches in London, Manchester, Sydney, Melbourne, and Calcutta. At these establishments may always be seen a large variety of the firm’s choicest productions, and the several branches are active and important local centres in the wide area covered by the international artistic and commercial influence of this great house.

The depot in Church Street, Liverpool, was opened a good many years ago, and occupies a fine building of handsome proportions and striking appearance, standing just opposite the Pro-Cathedral of St. Peter. The internal arrangements are excellent, affording every convenience for the purposes of the high-class business in which this firm are engaged. From the vestibule there is access by a broad staircase to the principal show-room, ninety feet long by thirty-six feet broad, and throughout this magnificent and spacious saloon are ranged numerous fine glass-cases in which the unrivalled wares of Messrs. Elkington & Co. are exhibited with splendid effect and to the best advantage from an artistic point of view. The quality of Messrs. Elkington’s goods is beyond the fear of cavil or the need of praise. Their processes, greatly improved by their own enterprise and skill during the lapse of years, have stood all the tests of time; and public opinion has fully satisfied itself as to this great firm’s unquestionable reliability and prestige.

Ever since the inception of Messrs. Elkington’s business it has been the rule of the house to employ only artists of eminent renown and designers distinguished not only for their manual skill, but also for their pure artistic spirit and self-evident talent. So many of their greatest works have been largely exhibited to the public that it is impossible not to believe that valuable results have accrued from the widespread knowledge of the principles and possibilities of genuine art thus disseminated. The celebrated “Milton Shield” in South Kensington Museum is one of these superb creations; so also are the much-prized “Abyssinian Trophy” in oxidised silver, and the “Helicon Challenge Cup” in repousse silver and steel damascened with gold. The “Pilgrim Shield” (of which Mr. G. A. Sala has written a fine description) is another grand work, produced expressly for the Paris Exhibition of 1878, and depicting “the most striking dramatic episode in Bunyan’s immortal allegory.” Among other productions which have shed lasting distinction upon the name of Elkington is the shield representing the leading incidents in the “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire,” also that exquisite piece of repoussé work portraying the cathedral scene in “Much Ado about Nothing;” and few finer things of the kind have ever been done than the “Elkington Challenge Shield,” which is competed for annually at the Birmingham Cattle Show, or the beautiful Venus Rose-water Dish, the latter being the first prize given by the Queen to the Volunteers at Wimbledon.

One of the most charming pieces of electro-deposition ever executed by Messrs. Eikington was the facsimile of a wickerwork basket filled with natural grasses and beautiful ferns, all electro-plated in gold, silver, and copper, which was presented by the firm, at the hands of Miss Elkington, to H.R.H. the Princess of Wales on the occasion of a Royal visit to Birmingham in November, 1874. When Her Majesty the Queen recently visited Liverpool, the royal presents were from the studios and workshops of Messrs. Elkington, as also was a very handsome and richly ornate sword for H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught; and on many other occasions the firm lave been honoured by Royal patronage and approval.

The Liverpool show-rooms are visited by many distinguished persons, and form a veritable treasury of art in fine metal working. They have a numerous and competent staff, and are personally supervised in the most able and effective manner by the firm’s experienced local representative. They issue a beautiful pattern book for articles in solid silver and their renowned electro-plate, copies of which can be had on application; also special estimates and designs for presentation plate, and outfits of plate for ships, hotels, restaurants, &c. Wisdom, enterprise, and cultured taste have, from the first, prevailed in the counsels and operations of this eminent house, and it has left an indelible impression upon the artistic condition of our country, the good influences of which will, doubtless, be accentuated by the still higher achievements which can confidently be looked forward to in time to come.

Source: Progress - Commerce - 1892

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Elkington & Co. - London - 1848

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FREDERICK E. COPPAGE

An image of Frederick E. Coppage who served his apprenticeship with Elkington & Co. at Birmingham. He later worked in Australia and for over 30 years was a chaser with the Gorham Company at Providence, Rhode Island.:



This image was published in 1927 by the Gorham Co. in a publicity campaign. Frederick E. Coppage died in 1929, aged 79 years and was still working at Gorham up until his demise.

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An example of the marks of Elkington, Mason & Co., struck with the date letter 'N' for 1852:


A - E M & Co - N - E & Co.

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A meat-skewer by Elkington & Co., assayed at Birmingham in 1903:






E & Co Ld - Birmingham - 1903

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Elkington & Co., Ltd. - London - 1907

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TESTIMONIAL TO TEACHER OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF ART. — A silver cup, manufactured by Messrs, Elkington, Mason, and Co, from a model by Chevalier Schlick, has been presented to Mr. Wallis, the head master of the School of Practical Art at Birmingham, by the students of the school.

Source: The Builder - 26th November 1853

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THE GRAND NATIONAL CUP OF 1924



The Grand National Cup of 1924 was manufactured by Elkington & Co.

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Elkington & Co. Ltd. - London - 1915

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Elkington & Co. Ltd. - London - 1904

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Elkington & Co. Ltd. - London - 1914

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