Printer's Compositor

[di allen]

My grandfather was also a printer compositor. He was William Allen and in the 1901 census was living at 7, Court 2 Cheapside. Does any one know hwere the nearest place of work for compositors at that time? thanks, Di.

 

[John Young]

Hi Di,,possibly The Birmingham Post &/or Evening Mail re 1901,
Cheapside only 5 minute walk across to City Centre Print/Press Works

 

[Eric Gibson]

Well I have another 'printer's compositor' My Great Grandfather Thomas Gibson born 1837 is listed as such in the 1891 census.

 

[gingerjon]

Baskerville House was the home of printing in early Birmingham there are a few monuments of type cast outside of the building Baskerville House is now going through a redevelopment at the moment since Birmingham council moved out

 

[Eric Gibson]

I've just come across a mistake in one of th census records, instead of 'Printers' compositor my gt granddad is listed as a 'Painters' compositor. E.

 

[Kenneth Wanstall]

James Upton was a printer in the central Birmingham area in the 19th century. I believe the premises were in Cambridge Street, and were called Baskerville Works.

I was a compositor at James Upton in the 1960s, by which time they were in Barford Street.

As I recall they'd taken over the Martin Billings business, the only remnant of which seemed to be producing beer bottle labels for Ansells or M&B.

 

[Alf]

Why are there so many jobs in the printing trade advertised in the Daily Mail its been like that for years? Is it because its a closed shop.

 

[Kenneth Wanstall]

The Daily Mail was the recognised newspaper for printing job adverts. I seem to remember that there was one main day each week when adverts appeared.

The printing industry is (or was at least) quite high up in the list of numbers employed in British industries. Just think of all the unwanted rubbish that comes through the letterbox each day.

 

[Jerry]

I enjoyed your article Dave and it got me wondering if you or anyone else ever had any knowledge of Randall Brothers at Aston Cross
I worked in their warehouse in the mid 60s and I remember their compositor telling me that he had served a seven year apprenticeship.

 

[Jerry]

Hi Dave
Randall Brothers were a pretty large printers, or at least it seemed so to me but since they were the only printers I ever worked for I can't really make any comparisons
At the time that I worked there they used to print all the stationery for the BOAC Airline as it was then and every Saturday morning we used to fill a furniture sized van with stationery just for them.
Looking back I would guess they must have employed about 70 or 80 people and they were next to the library at Aston Cross

 

[jhh]

My great great grandad called William Rolfe was a printer compositer in the 1881 census. He lived at 50 cato st North, Aston.
I have just found this web site and I think it's brilliant
Julie Herrick

 

[Lorraine Webster]

James Upton was a printer in the central Birmingham area in the 19th century. I believe the premises were in Cambridge Street, and were called Baskerville Works.

I was a compositor at James Upton in the 1960s, by which time they were in Barford Street.

As I recall they'd taken over the Martin Billings business, the only remnant of which seemed to be producing beer bottle labels for Ansells or M&B.

Hi my Grandfather Ernest Reader "Coco" was a printer at James Upton for many many years until his retirement I have a lovely picture of him standing next to what I believe was a large 6 colour printer looking at the print - it was of trains - do you remember him?

 

[berniesims]

Hi my Grandfather Ernest Reader "Coco" was a printer at James Upton for many many years until his retirement I have a lovely picture of him standing next to what I believe was a large 6 colour printer looking at the print - it was of trains - do you remember him?

Hi Lorraine. I was a printer at James Upton starting in 1973 and worked for them until 2000. I remember the name "Ernie Reader". Would be great if you could post a copy of the picture you mention.