Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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A topic for recording information regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta, Bombay, New Delhi, and Simla.

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Established by Robert Hamilton in 1808, initially at 5, Tank Square, and then to 7, Old Court House Street in 1809.

Robert Hamilton served his apprenticeship at Edinburgh under William Cunningham I in the 1780's, and after becoming Free, took two apprentices himself, William Howden, the nephew of the Edinburgh silversmith, Francis Howden, in 1801, and James Donaldson in 1804, neither were to complete their term with Hamilton by mid 1807 he had determined that his future lay in India. Hamilton arrived in India in August 1808 on board the 'Preston' and immediately set up business in Tank Square, Calcutta under his own name, on the 3rd November 1808 he announced that: "he has fitted up the house No.5 Tank Square, corner of Council House Street, for carrying on the various branches of his business, as Jewellers, etc." In September 1811 his business was restyled to Hamilton & Co. following his entry into partnership with Henry Glazbrook and James Glazbrook, and although he retained an interest in the business, by December of the following year he had left Calcutta and had returned to Great Britain. By 1817 he had parted with his interest in the business and around that time acquired Bloomfield Hall at Norwood, Surrey, which was to remain his home until his death at Hove, Sussex on the 14th August 1847.

Following Robert Hamilton's departure from the business the directors of the company changed with great frequency, but the firm was successful and opened branches at Bombay and Simla. They finally closed their doors for the last time in 1973.

If you have any details of the above company, advertisements, examples of their work, etc., anything that you are willing to share, then here's the place to post it.

See: https://www.925-1000.com/ix_HamiltonCo.html

and: https://www.925-1000.com/AngloIndian_01.html

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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Hamilton and Co., 8, Old Court House street. Branches, at Bombay and Simla, jewellers and silversmiths in ordinary to H. E. the Viceroy, clock and watch-makers, and dealers in precious stones. Partners, C. Simmonds, T. W. Brookes (England) and C. J. Brookes. Assistants, W. Slater, R. Y. Remfry, C. Simmonds, F. Stalman, G. H. Webb, W. Davies, and P. A. Prins.

Source: Cones & Co.'s Directory and Almanac for Calcutta - 1879

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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Hamilton & Company - Calcutta - 1881

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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THE MONSOON GRAND NATIONAL CUP


The Monsoon Grand National Cup by Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta:


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CALCUTTA 16th AUGUST 1881

THE MONSOON GRAND NATIONAL

WON BY

MR TRAILL'S

'DI VERNON'


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H&Co. - Elephant

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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Partnership details as at 1841.

Hamilton & Co.--Old Court House Street, Calcutta.

W. Remfrey (Europe)
H. Woollaston (Produce)
G.F. Remfrey (Europe)
R.J. Dring (Accounts)


Source: The Bengal and Agra Annual Guide and Gazetteer - 1841

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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Hamilton & Co. Ltd. - Calcutta - 1935

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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A mustard pot c.1930, complete with internal glass liner , the pot lid carries the crest of The Bengal Artillery AFI (Auxiliary Force India):

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H & Co. Ld - Elephant - SILVER

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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NOTIFICATIONS

No.7530P.- 4th July 1938 - In exercising the power conferred by section 7, (sub section (1)) of the Cinematograph Act, the Governor is pleased to appoint Mr. Charles Ortner to be a Member of the Bengal Board of Censors, constituted by notification No. 14844.P dated the 7th October 1937, vice Mr. G.M. Webb, resigned. He will hold office from the date of notification.

By order of the Governor

H.J. Twynam

Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal


Source: The Calcutta Gazette - 7th July 1938


MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT

Ports


New Delhi , the 15th January 1949

In Pursuance of Section 6 of the Calcutta Port Act, 1890 (Bengal Act III of 1890) it is hereby notified that Mr. Charles Ortner of Messrs. Hamilton & Co. Ltd. has been re-elected by the Calcutta Trades Association to be a Commissioner for the Port of Calcutta for a further term of two years from 15th January 1949.


Source: The Gazette of India - 22nd January 1949

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Hamilton & Co. - Bombay - 1885

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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A pepper pot c.1930 with engraved crest of The Bengal Artillery AFI (Auxiliary Force India):

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H & Co. Ld - Elephant - SILVER

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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REDMAN & Co.

14, Old Court House Street, Calcutta

The business of Redman & Co. was short lived, founded by Charles Redman in 1858, he was out of business in 1861. Prior to setting up on his own account, Charles Redman was noted as an Assistant to Hamilton & Co since 1842, following the closure of his business, he returned to the employment of his old masters.

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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Hamilton & Co. - Calcutta - 1876

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An example of the later work and mark of Hamilton & Co. Ltd.:

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H&Co/Ld - Elephant - O

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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Hamilton & Company - Calcutta - 1881

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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HAMILTON and CO., LTD

Jewellers, Siversmiths, Watchmakers, etc , 8, Old Court House Street

In London, Paris, New York and the other great cities of the West are to be found establishments of jewellers, goldsmiths, and silversmiths on a very elaborate and extensive scale , but none is upheld by such unique conditions as obtain in India, and especialy in Calcutta, in relation to all those precious materials that have symbolised and indicated wealth and royalty since the dawn of history and before it. The rulers of India have never been surpassed for the magnificence of their regalia and personal adornments , and that ancient land of contrasts and castes is preeminent amongst all countries for the splendour still exemplified by its great and wealthy nobility. These facts explain the existence in Calcutta of the business of Messrs. Hamilton and Co , Ltd , established since 1808.

The handsome white frontage of that firm’s establishment at 8, Old Court House Street, is entirely different from the aspect of the ordinary jewellery store which bases its attraction on overwhelming profusion of mass production goods and the sameness of the obvious and the orthodox. Extending from the street to the entrance is a covered arch which greatly enhances the appearance of the establishment, and protects on wet days the customers stepping from their motors in the reign of His Imperial Majesty, the King Emperor, George V , as it did when the subjects of his four predecessors alighted from their gaily caparisoned horse equipages to visit the famous emporium so noteworthy for the gleam of gold and silver, and the flashing of fire of exquisite jewellery. Constructed long before the methods of modern display, the windows are guarded in front by an iron railing about two feet high which prevents too intimate approach , nor is such close inspection necessary, for the exhibition in the windows is of no stereotyped character, but a few superb examples of miniature statuary in marble and bronze, etc , which are in harmony with the manifest superiority proclaimed by every detail of the establishment and its contents.

Amongst the first objects of the beautiful interior which the artistic eye will notice with appreciation are two exquisite, almost life-size, bronze statues, "The Runner" and the "Sitting Mercury." The originals of these are in the Naples Museum, and are amongst the finest works of the great Greek sculptor, Praxiteles who lived in the fourth century BC.

The rich and choice goods shown by Messrs. Hamilton and Co , Ltd , impart an impression of discriminating selection and superiority to even the dullest consciousness where, for instance, may be found such royal crowns, necklaces, and other gorgeous specimens of the firm's skill in jewellery as are seen exhibited by them as examples of ordinary achievement and nothing out of the common. The writer, during his inspection of the place, noticed an illustration of a crown made by the firm, valued at £180,000, and a necklace valued at £85,000. In contemplation of such things ordinary jewellery seems so paltry and commonplace.

The business gives employment to about 150 workmen, and their operations embrace everything pertaining not only to the manufacture of
jewellery , but also engraving, gilding, and electroplating.

Messrs Hamilton and Co , Ltd , have always been entrusted with the auction sales of Tosha Khana, or, in other words, the treasure accruing to the Government from the fortunes of war and the changes m the royal houses of India through death and other causes. Long ago they used to dispose by auction, in the portion of their premises now forming their workshop, the loot of the East India Company, and amongst the many historic collections of great treasure that have passed through their hands in this way was the glittering assortment that had been in the possession of Nana Sahib, the leader of the Indian Mutiny, and which, together with other Mutiny loot, was sold by Messrs Hamilton and Co for £750,000.

Among the archives of the firm are many interesting old documents testifying to the services they rendered m the far-off past, including a letter dated July 2nd, 1850, from Sir John (later Lord) Lawrence, expressing his great satisfaction at the able manner in which Messrs Hamilton and Co had always fulfilled everything committed by him to their trust.

In this necessarily brief review it is impossible to deal with this famous old firm with a fulness befitting Its long and influential record. In 1835 the business passed into the possession of the Remfry family, with whom it remained until 1900. In 1919 the firm was formed into a private limited liability company. The managing director is Mr J F Snaith, who has been connected with the concern since 1903. Messrs Hamilton and Co , Ltd , have branches at Delhi and Simla.


Source: Seaports of India and Ceylon - Allister Macmillan - 1928

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Re: Information Regarding Hamilton & Co. of Calcutta

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MARINE DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATIONS


No, 49 Marine,- The 17th April 1925.—It is hereby notified that under the provisions of section 6 of the Calcutta Port Act, 1890 (Bengal Act III of 1890), Mr. J. F. Snaith of the firm of Messrs. Hamilton & Co., Ltd., has been elected by the Calcutta Trades Association to be a Commissioner for the Port of Calcutta, in place of Mr. J. H. Wiggett, M.B.E., during his absence on leave.

J. A. WOODHEAD,
Secretary to the Government of Bengal


Source: The Calcutta Gazette - 23rd April 1925

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LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION


No. 396-T.,L. dated Darjeeling, the 18th June; 1925,—It is hereby notified, in pursuance of rule 14 (9) of the Bengal Electoral Rules, that Mr. J. F. Snaith has been declared under rule 14 (2) of the aforesaid rules to have been duly elected by the Calcutta Trades Association Constituency, to be a member of the Bengal Legislative Council.

J. BARTLEY,
Secretary to the Government of Bengal and Secretary to the Bengal Legislative Council (offy.).


Source: The Calcutta Gazette - 25th June 1925

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Hamilton & Co. - Calcutta - 1893

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A souvenir spoon for The Royal Calcutta Golf Club:

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ROYAL CALCUTTA GOLF CLUB - A.D. 1829 - FAR AND SURE

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H & Co./ Ld - Elephant - W - SILVER

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Hamilton & Co. - Calcutta - 1897

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