The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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dognose
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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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WILLIAM JONES

High Street, Ross-on-Wye


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Wm. Jones - Ross - 1847

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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A. MYERS

Bye Street, Hereford


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A. Myers - Hereford - 1847

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Essexboy Fisher
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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

Post by Essexboy Fisher »

MARTIN, BASKETT & MARTIN, later, MARTIN, BASKETT & Co., later, MARTIN & Co., later, MARTIN & Co.Ltd.

There is already a post relating to this company in this same section of the Forum but I have taken an extra bit of potted history from the present company's web site, mainly covering periods of time before and after that covered previously.

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=40980&p=156883&hil ... 6%20Co.Ltd.

1806 Business was established by a clockmaker, one Samuel Martin on The Strand in Cheltenham.

1838 Queen Victoria presents Company with a royal warrant. This patronage is indicated on the adverts for the 1850 of Martin, Baskett & Co (and earlier Martin, Baskett & Martin)

1841 The company moves to its present site at 19 The Promenade in Cheltenham.

1890 George Dimmer, a later (times 2) mayor of Cheltenham and founder member of the Rotary Club, acquires the business and changes the name to Martin & Co. (It seems George Dimmer was not just the mayor but had strong connections with other similar businesses, but carrying the “Dimmer” name, trading in other towns. In another Forum post a Mr G.Dimmer of Cheltenham, Liverpool, and Southsea, is briefly mentioned.)

1912 Martin & Co becomes limited.

1929 Leonard Dimmer takes over from his father as Managing Director.

1930 Michael Dimmer joins the family business

1935 Martin & Co creates a new "Cheltenham Gold Cup" for the prestige National Hunt Horse Race calendar, "and each year a new trophy is handmade by the finest craftsmen."

Other members of the Dimmer family have subsequently joined the company.

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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J. B. MARTIN (JEWELLERS) Ltd.

Ross-on-Wye


J. B. MARTIN (JEWELLERS) Limited.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the above-named Company held at Roman Ridge, Bridstow, near Ross-on-Wye, on the 26th day of November, 1955, the following Special Resolution was duly passed:—
" That the Company be wound up voluntarily, and that Mr. Robert Tidmas, Certified Accountant, of Wilson's Chambers, Commercial Street, Hereford, be and he is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of such winding-up."
CARICE DANIELS, Chairman.


Source: The London Gazette - 9th December 1955

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

Post by Essexboy Fisher »

George Dimmer, Dimmer & Son(s), Dimmers Ltd, Dimmer Ltd & Dudley & Cox Ltd
Jewellers, Watchmakers, Diamond Merchants, Silversmiths and Retailers

This was a multi-faceted concern and based at several premises in several areas of England but starting in Southsea.

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Southsea (Portsmouth, Portsea) 101 High Street, 42 Palmerston Road, 44 Palmerston Road, 45 or 59 Osborn Rd

Liverpool: 56 Lord Street 24 Church Street

Cheltenham: 19 The Promenade in Cheltenham. In 1890 George Dimmer acquires the Jewellery, watchmaking and Silversmithing business of "Martin, Baskett & Co" and changes the name to Martin & Co. I did not find information suggesting George Dimmer had a business in Cheltenham prior to this.

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=40980&p=203056&hil ... 6%20Co.Ltd.

Chester: 20 Eastgate Row, Chester

The earliest information I found on George Dimmer comes from around 1880.
In 1881 George Dimmer is a Jeweller at 101 High Street, Portsmouth (Southsea is a southern part of Portsmouth and Portsea is an island part of Portsmouth). A former occupier of the property (referenced 1875) was "E and E Emanuel", Jewellers, Silversmiths & Watchmakers, Dimond & Pearl Dealers. There are snippets suggesting that Dimmers was founded in 1879 and that in 1880 the High Street business was purchased by Mr. G. Dimmer.
The 1881 census confirms George Dimmer (then aged 30) was a Jeweller living at 101 High Street with his family. He must have been prosperous as at his home he had 3 servants/domestic staff with a start of a family including a 7 year old "George". I think that means he could have been in the "Jewellery" business for a good prior period.
There was an advert Thursday 27 July 1882 where "G Dimmer (Late E and E Emanuel)",

"Begs to solicit the patronage of the nobility, gentry and residents of Southsea and neighbourhood. GD’s stock will be found replete with the latest novelties in gold and silver jewellery suitable for the present season - watches, clocks, chains, Alberts, brooches, ear-rings, lockets, solid silver, electro plate, - please note the address."

I am wondering if the last part of the advert is indicating what is stated next. Sometime in the mid 1880's the business was transferred to 42 Palmerston Road and the "Dimmers" were not at 101 high street for the 1891 census. During the period between the 2 census returns, George Dimmer and family may well have moved to Cheltenham (more than 100 miles away) as in 1890 he acquired the “jewellery" business that subsequently become Martin & Co. He also followed this up with being twice Mayor of Cheltenham in the 1900 - 1910 period.

However, a "George Dimmer", watchmaker, was at 42 Palmerston Road from 1886 until 1891, and 1891-1896 he was watchmaker & jeweller. In 1897, 44 Palmerston Road became the business address and continued to be until WW11 circa 1940. This is a silver match box cover, dated 1924. and retailed (not made) by the company “Dimmer & Sons Ltd, Southsea”

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There had been a further expansion of the Portsmouth operation, prior to the war as Dimmers Ltd had in 1938 purchased Dudley & Cox Ltd of 59 Osborne Rd., Southsea. It is suggested "the two establishments continued under one management until January 1941 when both were destroyed by enemy action."
After the war the business traded as "Dimmers Ltd", Jewellers, at 45 Osborne Rd., Southsea until the late 1950s. After this the "Dimmer" name was still present in Portsmouth "shopping" but may not have been directly connected to the Dimmer family.

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I am sorry this image has reproduced so poorly.

I found information hard to trace on the Liverpool and Chester branches which appear to be known as "Dimmer & Son(s) Ltd". On line it is possible to find a few examples of silverplated holloware and clocks no doubt retailed from the Liverpool establishment, but things are tough when I need to rely on "box silks" for clues. Both shops were in "Northish", West England and only about 20 miles apart. Chester is the nearer to Cheltenham but it is well over 100 miles away.

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The pearl button box states Dimmer & Sons Ltd of 24 Church Street, Liverpool and 44 Palmerston Road suggesting an early 20th century date for the Liverpool shop. Referencing our Forum there is a, date September 1910, possibly adding weight for this possible date.

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=36151&p=174197&hil ... UNDER%20OF

There seems however, to have been an earlier shop as Gore's Directory of Liverpool & Birkenhead, 1900, has an entry “Dimmer George diamond and pearl merchant, jeweller, watchmaker and silversmith” at 56 Lord Street. That same address in Kelly's Directory 1894 had been a Jewellers & Silversmiths belonging to "Alexander Bros".
How long the business was in Liverpool for may be indicated by another silk from a box stating "Russell Sheffield Ltd" successors to Dimmer & Sons Ltd. No guarantee but the coffee bean finial spoons associated with that box were made by W Suckling Ltd of Birmingham and dating to 1932 (my identification).

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Who, "Russell Sheffield Ltd" might have been is unclear, but there were already, locally, "Russell" companies, derived from "Thomas Russell & Son" a "Watch and Chronometer Manufactory" (further note later).
Now for the Chester outlet for Dimmers. The 20 Eastgate Row, Chester base does not seem contemporary with 24 the Church Street, Liverpool outlet. From the "Cheshire Observer" published on the 29th September 1932 there was a notice.

"Dimmer & Son beg to announce the opening of their new premises at 20 Eastgate Row, Chester.....a completely new stock of jewellery silverware watches clocks at very keen prices....."

The business did then change slightly as silvermarks were registered. That was as "George Dimmer & George Dimmer Jnr trading as Dimmer & Son, Eastgate Row, Chester". The date of registration at Chester was Sept 1934 but as I noted previously the senior (born 1851) "George Dimmer" had died in 1927. Possibilities now arise regarding Dimmers Ltd. The death could have been the cause the closing of the Liverpool site but the move did not occur until Sept.1932. At this time could the current "Dimmer & Son" may have been the 7 year old George from the 1881 census and a son of his also called "George"?

Below is information from the web site " http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk" indicating when and what has been noted carrying the Dimmers "D&S" in a diamond, silvermark.

Chester Dimmer & Son 1934 Bowl
London Dimmer & Son 1936 Beaker
Sheffield Dimmer & Son 1936 Coffee pot
I can add another Sheffield notation of a spoon dated 1934.

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On line there are clocks to be seen that they retailed. The below advert for "G.Dimmer & Son Ltd" is from a 1968 school "magazine" but I do not know the date of the watch retailed by them. Also, I could not find a date for the end of the Chester business;

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Fishless

Note on “Thomas Russell & Son"
Thomas Russell is listed as a watchmaker in 1848 at 20 Slater Street, Liverpool. About 1859 he appears to have handed over control of the company to sons Thomas Robert Russell and Alfred Holgate Russell and the firm changed its name to Thomas Russell & Son. By 1877 the company moved premises to Church Street.
After the death of Thomas senior, the partnership between Thomas Robert and Alfred ended and the firm was split into 2 distinct parts. Thomas Robert continued as the proprietor of the Russell Watch and Chronometer Manufactory at Cathedral Works, 18 Church Street, with addresses in Piccadilly, Toronto and Canada. In 1894 it became Russell's Limited and continued as retail jewellers with branches in Liverpool, and by the early 1900s Manchester and Llandudno.
In the "Canadian Trade" section of our Forum there appears to be a post relating to the Toronto agency and Russells Ltd.

Russells Ltd, had a Sheffield Assay Office silvermark registered Oct 1907 as "Vase, Watch makers", Church Street, Liverpool.
Essexboy Fisher
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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

Post by Essexboy Fisher »

Hello again, I hope that the next image may be a better quality than the image of George Dimmer concerns' Portsmouth addresses shown in my earlier post.

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=40980&start=120#:~ ... 0Cox%20Ltd

Image

Also, I have a image of the Portsmouth addresses of the "Emanuel" concerns very briefly mentioned in that same post.

Image

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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READING STEAM ELECTROPLATING WORKS

80, London Street, Reading


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Reading Steam Electroplating Works - Reading - 1889

The business of William Millard.

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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F.H. SHIPTON & Co.

Fishponds Centre, Bristol


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F.H. Shipton & Co. - Bristol - 1931

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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PRIDHAM & SONS

9, The Strand, Torquay


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Pridham & Sons - Torquay - 1921

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Pridham & Sons - Torquay - 1923

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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WILLIAM JOSEPH ROBINSON

134, Lawrence Hill, Bristol


BANKRUPTS

RECEIVING ORDERS


William Joseph Robinson, 134 Lawrence Hill, Bristol, watchmaker and jeweller.

Source: The Edinburgh Gazette - 17th May 1898

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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MORTIMER RICKS

32, Victoria Street, Paignton, Devon


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Mortimer Ricks - Paignton - 1938

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Mortimer Ricks - Paignton - 1945

Established in 1911.

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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A.M. GERRISH

High Street, Melksham, Wiltshire


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A.M. Gerrish - Melksham - 1927

Late Cleverly.

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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PALMER

Rolle Street, Exmouth


Another robbery was committed in the small hours of the morning of the 16th ult., at the shop of Mr. Palmer, Rolle Street, Exmouth, by means of smashing a window and extracting about £60 worth of valuables. It is supposed a woman is the thief.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st July 1892

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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A listing of Jewellers working at Devizes in 1916:

Biggs H., Brittox
Burn L.V., 26, Market Place
Cole T., Sidmouth Street
Haslehurst & Son, Market Place
Johnson H.J. & Co., Maryport Street


Source: Gillman's Devizes Public Register and Business Directory - 1916

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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FRANCIS NAPOLEAN BERNARDO LOMBARDINI

Newton Abbot and Exeter


MONTHLY RECORD OF BANKRUPTCIES

Liquidations by Arrangement or Composition


Lombardini, Francis Napolean Bernardo, Exeter, late Newton Abbot, watchmaker. Aug. 30. At the Craven Hotel, Craven Street, Strand, London, in lieu of the place originally named.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 6th October 1879

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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GEORGE THOMAS YEATMAN

15, Castle Street, Salisbury


Notices to Creditors

Yeatman, George Thomas, Jeweler, 15, Castle Street, Salisbury. Dividend of 12s. 9d., at Official Receiver's, Salisbury, July 21.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st August 1892

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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RICHARD FERRIS

Exeter


An example of the work and mark of Richard Ferris:

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See: https://www.925-1000.com/dlExeter2.html#M

and: https://www.925-1000.com/a_exeterlions.html

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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GEORGE STACEY

6, Park Street, Minehead, Somerset


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Geo. Stacey - Minehead - 1929

George Stacey entered his mark, 'GS' within two overlapping circles, with the Birmingham Assay Office on the 12th July 1916.

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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WILLIAM HOOPER COLE

27, Sidmouth Street, Devizes


Bankruptcy Proceedings, &c.

Cole, William Hooper, 27, Sidmouth Street, Devizes, Jeweller, Watch and Clock Maker. April 29. Examination at the Bath Court on May 14, at Half-past Eleven.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 5th June 1885

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Re: The English Provincial Trade - The West Country

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ROBERT FLOWER

Sherborne


Bankruptcy Proceedings, &c.

Flower, Robert, Sherborne, Watchmaker. May 22. Examination at the Yeovil Court, on June 11.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 5th June 1885

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