58a, Hatton Garden, later, 7, Charterhouse Street, Holborn Circus, London
J.B. Bennett & Co. Ltd. - London - 1907
This is John Baker Bennett, formerly with Siegele & Bennett, Siegele, Bennett & Co., Murrle, Bennett & Co., and Murrle, Bennett & Co. Ltd.
J.B. Bennett & Co. Ltd. entered their marks, 'J·B·B & Co', contained within an oblong punch, on the 5th March 1908 with the London Assay Office. The business later became Bennett (1907) Ltd. and entered marks, 'B Ld', both incuse and in conjoined circles, with the LAO on the 19th October 1908.
John Baker Bennett died on the 13th July 1909, aged 59 years.
In the Matter of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, and in the Matter of MURRLE, BENNETT AND COMPANY Limited.
By Order of the Board of Trade dated 2nd March, 1916, under section 1 (1) (b) of the above mentioned Act, requiring the business of the above named Company to be wound up, Mr. John Baker, of Eldon Street House, E C , Chartered Accountant, was appointed Controller of the Company to control and supervise the carrying out of the said order and to conduct the winding-up of the said business. Notice is hereby given, that the creditors of the Company are required, on or before the 7th day of May, 1916, to send their names and addresses, and the particulars of their debts or claims, and the
names and addresses of their Solicitors (if any), to Mr John Baker, at Eldon Street House, London, E.C. , to the Controller of the Company; and, if so
required, by notice in writing from the said Controller, are, by their Solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their said debts or claims at such
time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved.—Dated this 5th day of April, 1916.
JOHN BAKER, Controller
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, James Henry White, William Raynsford Redgrove and Cuthbert George Whyte, carrying on business as Jewellers, at 13, Charterhouse-street, in the county of London, under the style or firm of " WHITE, REDGROVE & WHYTE," and also as "MURRLE BENNETTS SUCCESSORS," has been dissolved by mutual consent as from the 31st day of October, 1916, owing to the retirement from the firm of the said Cuthbert George Whyte. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said James Henry White and William Raynsford Redgrove.—Dated the 27th day of November, 1916.
C. G. WHYTE.
JAS. H. WHITE.
W. RAYD. REDGROVE.
In the Matter of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, and in the Matter of MURRLE, BENNETT AND COMPANY Limited, 13, Charterhouse-street, E.C.
Whereas by an Order made by the Board of Trade, dated the 2nd March, 1916, under the provisions of the above mentioned Act, the business carried on in the United Kingdom of the above named Murrle, Bennett and Company Limited was ordered to be wound up, notice is hereby given, that any persons claiming to be creditors of the said business carried on by the said Murrle, Bennett and Company Limited who have not already sent in their claims are required to send, by prepaid post, to Mr. John Baker, of Eldon-street House, Eldon-street, London, E.C., Chartered Accountant, the Controller appointed by the said order, on or before the 12th August, 1916, their Christian and surnames, addresses and descriptions, with full particulars of their debts or claims, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of the said order.—Dated this 15th day of July, 1916.
JOHN BAKER, Controller.
In the House of Commons on the 26th ult. Major Newman asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he was aware that nearly 90 per cent. of the capital of the firm of Murrle, Bennett, and Company, Limited, of 13, Charterhouse Street, E.C., and representing a sum of £45,670, is being held by enemy aliens; and will he say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
Mr. Runciman: I am aware that £45,670, representing nearly 90 per cent. of the capital of Murrle, Bennett, and Co., Ltd. of 13, Charterhouse Street, E.C., is, as stated by the hon. and gallant Gentleman, held by persons of enemy nationality. In March 1915, the Board of Trade appointed a supervisor of the business of the company, and the case is one which will require consideration under the provisions of the Bill which was passed by the House yesterday.
Major Newman asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the Artistic Novelties, Limited, carrying on business at 13, Charterhouse Street, E.C.; whether the shares of this concern are held by E. Murrle, an interned alien enemy, E. Saache, an alien enemy resident in Germany, and C.F. Hirth, a registered alien enemy not interned; if he can say why the latter gentleman escaped internment; and if he has, in consequence, been hitherto able to carry on the business of the firm in this country?
Mr. Runciman: The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to Artistic Novelties, Limited, of 13, Charterhouse Street, E.C. The shares of this company are held as stated by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I am not aware on what grounds C.F. Hirth has been exempted from internment, but I am informed that he has a son who is serving in the British Army. In March, 1915, the Board of Trade appointed a person to supervise the business of the company, and this is another case in which the application of additional powers conferred upon the Board of Trade will have to be considered.
Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 15th February 1916
Following the retirement of Cuthbert George Whyte on the 31st October 1916, the business was later restyled to White & Redgrove, Ltd. (Murrle, Bennett's Successors.) The directors later being recorded as James H. White, Ada White, William Raynsford Redgrove and Nellie A. Redgrove.
Messrs. White & Redgrove Ltd. succeeded the firm of Murrle, Bennett & Co. in the year 1916. Mr. J.H. White, who, by the way, is on the Committee of the London Wholesale Jewellers' Association, also on the London Committee of the National Jewellers' Association, was associated with M.B. & Co. since 1906 and Mr. Redgrove since 1897.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller, Silversmith and Optician - November 1927
The first impression on entering this stand was the facility of access and advantage to which every item of the vast collection was displayed. The chief features were their numerous dainty designs in 15 carat and 9 carat gold; their quaint lines in oxidised and bright silver, both plain and stone set, and their rich assortment of fine paste jewellery. The firm's well known standard of excellence in finish was apparent in everything. Amongst their novelties our attention was arrested by a new pearl called the "Lystra." This should appeal to jewellers in all classes of trade, as it possesses a beautiful skin, and lends itself to decorative design, without being expensive.
We were much interested in the beautiful section devoted to genuine opals, especially in a new style originated by the firm and shown for the first time, in which exquisite effects are obtained by the use of opals of different colours in one article appropriately designed.
We also noticed another line which, to our mind, represents rather an innovation on the part of Messrs. M.B. & Co., Ltd. They had on view a most attractive assortment of the very daintiest gem rings, which they are showing in their capacity as sole agents for Mr. Oscar Bentner, the premier manufacturer of fine gem work at Pforzheim. The finish was of the utmost excellence; we have never seen anything finer in Paris, which is considered the centre of the fashionable world for this class of jewellery.
Mention must be made of two little gold mascots, one representing "Man's First Picture," and known as the "Triskeles," and the other a dainty presentment of "Puck," holding aloft a lucky birthstone. Both of these will no doubt be welcomed by seekers after originality in charms.
Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st August 1914
The exhibit of this firm who control the Artistic Rolled Gold Company's production, struck a new note in the rolled gold trade, as encouraged by the great interest now accorded to the genuine article, and after a good deal of experimentation they were able to show some exceptionally fine patterns in rolled gold cigarette cases, rolled gold vanity cases and sovereign cases; all of which are of the finest quality and finish. The firm seemed to enter into the spirit of what an exhibition of that kind should be, with the result that they showed a variety of goods which were entirely new, and which would, at a later date, find their way their travellers' sample cases, as, of course, the exhibition enabled the firm to judge as to which were going to be the best sellers.
To be continued.
Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st August 1914
We noticed here a little novelty called "The Lucky Joker" or the mascot of success. They are mounted on cards bearing the following lines:-
THE MASCOT OF SUCCESS
The Game of Life, like Poker,
Is won by Bluff and Pluck,
In which the merry Joker,
Will always hold the Luck;
So laugh at Fate's decision,
Joke gaily through the Strife,
This little Joker's mission
Is to bring you luck in life.
It is made in hall-marked silver.
To be continued.
Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st August 1914
We also observed rolled gold mesh bags and purses, which have proved to be good selling lines, and the same thing might be mentioned about the firms' bracelet watches in rolled gold. Until quite recently the rolled gold trade has been somewhat under a cloud owing to illegitimate competition from gilt goods which were foisted on to an unsuspecting public as rolled gold, but the public now know the difference between the two articles, and the little display as mentioned above, will show what can be obtained in genuine rolled gold goods. Most retailers are, of course, aware of the difference between the two classes of goods, but if any of our readers would like the difference demonstrated to them, this firm will gladly do it, on receipt of a postcard. At the recent N.A.G. Conference, a lengthy discussion took place whether technical education was being conducted on proper lines by the various educational authorities, as to be of much value to the jewellery trade.
To be continued.
Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st August 1914
We saw at this stage a little range of goods in hand wrought designs, and finished throughout by a lady medallist of one of the technical art schools, which showed at all events that some of the schools are proceeding upon the right lines. We were informed that the firm can always supply any piece which they guarantee to be hand-made throughout in silver enamel, or silver set stones. They also showed us some more designs by the same lady, in silver enamel, but these have been commercialised somewhat, and made up in the factory, and although similar effects were obtained, they were cheaper. They were not, of course, sold as hand wrought. We also saw at this stand some nice paste hair ornaments, and we believe there is every indication that in the autumn the fashion will be to dress the hair in such a style that this class of ornament will become imperative. The whole of the centre of the stand was occupied by a display of pearls, both filled and solid, thus showing that the retailer can obtain goods in London quite equal to those to be obtained in Paris, at even lower prices, which is sometimes called the home of the facsimile pearl.
Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st August 1914
At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the above-named Company, duly convened, and held at Hill House, 1 Little New Street, London, E.C.4., on 14th September 1984, the subjoined Extraordinary Resolution was duly passed: "That it has been proved to the satisfaction of this Meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly that the Company be wound up voluntarily, and that Christopher Morris, of Hill House, 1 Little New Street, London, E.C.4. be and he is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purposes
of such winding-up."
D. L. Redgrave, Chairman
