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help requested with Birmingham makers mark T.H
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:59 pm
by rw00025
can anyone help with who this Birmingham maker was.. T.H circa 1891 salt cellars...thank you in advance.
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:12 pm
by dognose
Hi,
Welcome to the Forum.
I believe that is the mark of Thomas Hayes of Spencer Street, Birmingham.
Trev.
Thank you
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:03 pm
by rw00025
Thank you for your help... was this silversmith, Thomas Hayes, well known?
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:43 am
by dognose
Yes, but for all the wrong reasons, it's a sad story.
Tom Hayes started out in business in 1881, and was later joined by Ridley Hayes until c.1886. On his own until 1890, when he entered into partnership with James Key Holmes and Joseph Henry Key.
This partnership was dissolved in 1905 and Hayes's life appears to have gone into a downward spiral. He worked on his own until being declared bankrupt in 1907, the remains of his business were then purchased by T.H.Hazelwood & Co.
Hayes found employment as a manager with another silversmith, but, to quote from John Culme's Directory of Gold & Silversmiths:
'During 1910 he was found mutilated on the railway line near Gravelly Hill, Erdington. Then, having been taken to hospital for treatment he was almost immediately removed to Aston Police Station where, charged with attempted suicide, he died of his injuries in his cell during that night.
Trev.
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:51 am
by rw00025
A very sad story it was, Thank you again, Ross