The mark on this tablespoon is one you don't see too often.
London assay marks for the period 30th May to 30th November 1784, makers John Langlands & John Robertson of Newcastle
John Langlands and John Robertson of Newcastle also entered their mark at Goldsmiths Hall in London on the 3rd March 1780. The entry was made for Langlands and Robertson by one Charles Storey of Soho. So who was this Charles Storey and what was his connection with Langlands and Robertson?
Presumably this was either the Charles Storey who was a former apprentice of the Newcastle silversmith George Bulman or maybe his son.
Charles Storey (1) was the son of Robert Storey a cordwainer of Newcastle, he was apprenticed to Bulman for a period of ten years as from the 3rd December 1735. I am unsure of whether he completed the apprenticeship as Bulman died in 1743.
If indeed he did he did venture to London to continue with his career, he does not appear to have entered his own mark, there is no mention in Grimwades', but there is mention in Jacksons' (p.255) in 1773. If Charles Storey (1) did have a son also Charles, then the mention in Jacksons would probably be a better time fit for him.
The link between Langlands and Storey was to strengthen in c.1795 when Storey's daughter Dorothy married Langlands's son John. Both of whom were to go on to find fame in their own right.
Trev.
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