Eli Griffiths & Sons Ltd 102 Bradford Street Birmingham.

[Dunrolling]

Hello All

I am a new subscriber and am pleased to have found this site.

I am attempting to put together an exhibition of the products of the lamp manufacturer, Eli Griffiths & Sons
Ltd, Bradford St, Birmingham. To enable me to do this, I am looking to acquire some of their lamps and any information about the company.

Any help from subscribers to this forum would be very welcome. Please contact me via a posted reply or a private message. I will reply asap.

Many Thanks.
Paul

 

[GRAMBOB]

Hello All

I am a new subscriber and am pleased to have found this site.

I am attempting to put together an exhibition of the products of the lamp manufacturer, Eli Griffiths & Sons
Ltd, Bradford St, Birmingham. To enable me to do this, I am looking to acquire some of their lamps and any information about the company.

Any help from subscribers to this forum would be very welcome. Please contact me via a posted reply or a private message. I will reply asap.

Many Thanks.
Paul

Hi. I have an Eli Griffiths lamp. It has clear glass at the front and on one side, a fixing bracket on the other side, a handle on top. It looks pretty old but the wick looks unused. If you are interested, I'll send you a picture. Bob

 

[William Thomas]

Hi, I have a Lantern made by Eli Griffiths & Sons Ltd, 1940
Height 14ins - 35.5 cm - Base width 7.5 ins – 19cm - 7 original glass pains - White enamaled reflector in top
Wood turned handle - Hook on chain closure - Brass or copper stamped oval plate reading “Eli Griffiths & Sons Ltd, 1940 Birmingham”
It is at present painted in canal art but could be striped back to bare metal.
I am open to offers,
Regards Bill

 

[Ross Ward]

I have a kerosene lamp dated 1862 with the name Griffiths and Co. M&C Birmingham
and would love to know it's history. Was it a mining lamp?, maybe a railway lamp.
It is 150 years old next year and in pretty fair shape for it's age.
Who were the Griffiths ?. Were they strugglers or captains of industry?.
They certainly built a good lamp.
Any news or views would be appreciated
Ross

 

[mikejee]

Eli Griffiths does not appear in the directories till the 1870s.at 102 Bradford St/ In 1873, Eli is listed just as a manager at Sherborne road. No Griffiths is listed as a lampmaker in the 1862 directory, but there was a Griffiths & Browett, who manufactured tinned tiems, especially hollow ones. They were at 68 Bradford St. Tinned hollow items could include lamps. It is possible that Eli Griffiths, mentioned by Phil, had a family connection to this firm , which still existed when Eli's firm was well known. An advert for them from 1867 is attached.

View attachment 72063

 

[Ross Ward]

The date 1862 is stamped on the lamp, maybe W&G Griffiths
went into partnership with another at a later date.
I hadn't thought of a ship's lamp but it sounds a very good
idea. The lamp is brass with a fat bellied 360 degree glass
bowl and heavily rusted wire guard, so a ship's lamp sounds
right on the money.
I have photos to upload but the "Upload Photos" part of the
website now cannot find me as a member and when I try
"Forgot Password" it says "Member not found".
I've tried all case-sensitive variations but no go.
Maybe it takes a day or two to link all the parts of the website.
I'll try again tomorrow.
Ross

 

[doreen jones]

hi. l have a ships lantern made by Eli Griffiths & Son's of Birmingham. No 6779. Im trying to discover any history of this item that was left to me by my father. It's wick base ni is 39642. can anyone help please.many thanks doreen jones

 

[bridleway123]

Good morning,
I am trying to discover the background to the manufacture of an antique ships lantern (many similar items are shown on the web) owned by a relative in the US. The lamp bears a maker's mark of 'Seahorse GB #9065' with a separate label 'Not Under Command'.
In my online research, I have come across many Seahorse lanterns for sale but have yet to find a unit of this form/shape and have not found any info regarding the Seahorse maker. It seems that Birmingham had a major brass and copper industry producing lanterns of this type for the railway and the shipping industries, and two companies - Eli Griffiths & Sons, and Players & Mitchell - are referred to in various references.
Can anybody help please in solving the mystery of who manufactured these lamps, that bear the 'Seahorse' marking? many thanks.

 

[pjmburns]

As I found a "seahorse" lantern on sale at Bonhams - an auctioneers - perhaps they might be able to tell you a bit more. I would assume the "Not Under Command" probably means they were not actually on a ship but don't know for certain.
Janice

 

[bridleway123]

Thanks Janice for your message. I had already contacted Bonhams but they were not able to help - their specialist in this area has left, and they were not able to add to the headline info that was shown for that auction item. Since posting the forum question, I've been referred to a specialist marine antiques company who know about Seahorse as a brand, and I'm waiting for more info from them. I'll post anything that I learn.

 

[DPL]

I have a pair of (bashed/battered) seahorse lamps. The manufacturer is/was Bocock & Co, Mott Street Birmingham. The #9065 must be the pattern/style number for that particular lamp you are researching. Can't be of any further assistance.

 

[mikejee]

I thought I had posted this previously , but must have done something wrong.
I think the firm you are looking for might be Bocock & Wilkinson.,ships lamp manufacturers, 17-18 Mott St.The 1910 Kellys directory lists their Telegraph Address as "Seahorse".It was quite common for the telegraph address to be the same as the trademark of the firm. There is a thread concerning the firm originated by his great great grandson at https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/for...ilkinson-lamp-manufacturer.42890/#post-507737. They later became Bocock & Son, and in the 1932 Kellys are listed as George Bocock & Co Ltd, ships lamp manufacturers, 17-18 Mott St, , still with T.A.address "Seahorse".

In 1890 Bocock & Wilkinson. electroplate manufacturers are at 123 Gt. Hampton St. The listing was the same till 1900, when they become ships lamp manufacturers. they move to Mott St between the 1908 and 1910 editions of Kellys , and it is in 1910 that the Seahorse TA address first appears. The firm are still in Mott St in 1973 when the last Kellys is produced.

I think there might possibly be some connection with the firm of James Pratt Marrian. They were naval brassfounders at Slaney St, once labelled as suppliers to the board of the admiralty . No 123 Gt Hampton St immediately before becoming home to Bobock & Wilkinson, was occupied by a F.T.Marrian electroplate manufacturer, who then disappeared from view.

 

[bridleway123]

Dear Colleagues - thank you all for your enormous help. Once having the name of Bocock & Co, it has opened up a lot more information, including a link to a Polish shipping company whose website holds copies of numerous original ships lantern catalogues, including those of Bocock & Co - fascinating stuff! The link is
www.bembridge.pl/cms.php?lid=en&gid=45107
I hope this link allows you through without registering on their website.
Once again a huge thanks for your help. I will now email my relative in the US - who I expect will want to join the Forum too!
What a fascinating world we live in!
Best regards.

 

[gabriolaglen]

I thought I had posted this previously , but must have done something wrong.
I think the firm you are looking for might be Bocock & Wilkinson.,ships lamp manufacturers, 17-18 Mott St.The 1910 Kellys directory lists their Telegraph Address as "Seahorse".It was quite common for the telegraph address to be the same as the trademark of the firm. There is a thread concerning the firm originated by his great great grandson at https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/for...ilkinson-lamp-manufacturer.42890/#post-507737. They later became Bocock & Son, and in the 1932 Kellys are listed as George Bocock & Co Ltd, ships lamp manufacturers, 17-18 Mott St, , still with T.A.address "Seahorse".

In 1890 Bocock & Wilkinson. electroplate manufacturers are at 123 Gt. Hampton St. The listing was the same till 1900, when they become ships lamp manufacturers. they move to Mott St between the 1908 and 1910 editions of Kellys , and it is in 1910 that the Seahorse TA address first appears. The firm are still in Mott St in 1973 when the last Kellys is produced.

I think there might possibly be some connection with the firm of James Pratt Marrian. They were naval brassfounders at Slaney St, once labelled as suppliers to the board of the admiralty . No 123 Gt Hampton St immediately before becoming home to Bobock & Wilkinson, was occupied by a F.T.Marrian electroplate manufacturer, who then disappeared from view.

Can you help me ID this mast light?

 

[gabriolaglen]

Can you help me ID this mast light?

The Tag reads" ELI Griffiths and Sons" ( across the top of tag) Birmingham ( across the bottom) It is stamped B866

 

[Spargone]

The lamp bears a maker's mark of 'Seahorse GB #9065' with a separate label 'Not Under Command'.

'Not Under Command' or 'NUC' is a fixed signal from a ship at sea that does not have anyone in control of it. It is a warning to other vessels that the NUC vessel will not take any avoiding action or respond to signals from other vessels.

The subject lantern would be displayed at the masthead instead of the usual white light for a vessel 'under command'.

"..two all-round [visible in all directions] red lights. For vessels of more 50 metres or more, visibility 3 miles. For vessels under 50 metres, visibility 2 miles. In vessels of 20 metres or more, lights to be 2 metres apart and lowest to be not less than 24 metres above hull. In vessels under 20 metres, lights to be 1 metre apart the lower to be not less than 2 metres above gunwhale." - [Royal Navy BR 453]

Navigation lights for a ship under command have restricted viewing angles so that it is possible to work out the orientation of the vessel by the position and colour of the visible lights. The familiar red and green side lights, (used in the same way on aircraft flying over land-locked Birmingham!), are essentially only visible from the front and to the side that they are fitted to.

 

[gabriolaglen]

'Not Under Command' or 'NUC' is a fixed signal from a ship at sea that does not have anyone in control of it. It is a warning to other vessels that the NUC vessel will not take any avoiding action or respond to signals from other vessels.

The subject lantern would be displayed at the masthead instead of the usual white light for a vessel 'under command'.

"..two all-round [visible in all directions] red lights. For vessels of more 50 metres or more, visibility 3 miles. For vessels under 50 metres, visibility 2 miles. In vessels of 20 metres or more, lights to be 2 metres apart and lowest to be not less than 24 metres above hull. In vessels under 20 metres, lights to be 1 metre apart the lower to be not less than 2 metres above gunwhale." - [Royal Navy BR 453]

Navigation lights for a ship under command have restricted viewing angles so that it is possible to work out the orientation of the vessel by the position and colour of the visible lights. The familiar red and green side lights, (used in the same way on aircraft flying over land-locked Birmingham!), are essentially only visible from the front and to the side that they are fitted to.

Hello. Are you able to see the picture i posted above? Im curious of a date of manufacture? Possible ship it came off of? TIA

 

[gabriolaglen]

can someone PLEASE help me find out more about this beautiful Mast light we found. I understand N.U.C. Im hoping to find out a year made, Ship it might have been on..ect..ect Here are some pictures. Approx 22" x 10"....TIA

 

[Radiorails]

No help of date of manufacture, but it is some information about the company.

Eli Griffiths and Sons - Graces Guide

www.gracesguide.co.uk

 

[Radiorails]

There are a lot of lamps, of varying types by Eli Griffiths listed in many auction web sites both sides of the Atlantic. As far as I can see it is probably a question of looking and eliminating.
However, here is another small thread about the company:

Griffiths $ Co. Kerosene lamp manufacturers

I have a kerosene lamp dated 1862 with the name Griffiths and Co. M&C Birmingham and would love to know it's history. Was it a mining lamp?, maybe a railway lamp. It is 150 years old next year and in pretty fair shape for it's age. Who were the Griffiths ?. Were they strugglers or captains of...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

 

[Tinab]

Can you help me ID this mast light?

Hi. I just put g. Bocock into search area as I was watching something about titanic and said to my husband I was working for g.bocock and co for many years in mott street I think some of there lamps were on the titanic. I didn’t expect to see the seashore company logo mentioned. Very old fashioned company director George bocock, I did him a milky coffee at 11am each day. They wore white over coats to go into the factory to check all the ships lighting being made. Lots of memory’s. prob by now as I’m 59yrd old they cannot be still alive. The son might. Martin bocock.

 

[John mckend]

Hi I to have found an Eli Griffins &Sons lamp
The lamp is a starboard ships lantern. The problem is the
Lens is missing. Anyone know where I might get one please

 

[sospiri]

John,

Welcome to the Forum. Any competent glass merchant should be able to make you one, providing it is not a lens. I've done a history of one of their smaller competitors here:- http://mscrete.com/genton.htm
and there were many small companies of a similar nature in Birmingham.

Maurice

 

[John mckend]

I think my Starboard lamp, is a lens type. The lens is approx. 4 1/2" high x8 1/4", the lens is curved.
Straight across it it approx 61/4" but on the curve it measures 81/4".
Thanks for your help.

 

[foto2021]

Hi. I just put g. Bocock into search area as I was watching something about titanic and said to my husband I was working for g.bocock and co for many years in mott street I think some of there lamps were on the titanic. I didn’t expect to see the seashore company logo mentioned. Very old fashioned company director George bocock, I did him a milky coffee at 11am each day. They wore white over coats to go into the factory to check all the ships lighting being made. Lots of memory’s. prob by now as I’m 59yrd old they cannot be still alive. The son might. Martin bocock.

Hi Tina,

My grandfather used to work for G Bocock from the 1950s to the 1970s, retiring just a few years before the company closed. You might remember him? He was the travelling salesman, Jack Rooney from Liverpool. He worked as the sole salesman for years until Martin Bocock started helping.

The company was a victim of Britain joining the EEC in 1973. Until then, the UK Board of Trade, who regulated shipping, insisted ships' lamps must be made of copper and brass. After 1973 we were forced to accept EEC regulations that allowed other materials to be used. Philips lamps (from the Netherlands) were made of plastic and considerably undercut the prices of lamps made from copper and brass, which not only lasted many years but were works of art to look at.

Tony

 

[CAROL HAMILTON]

We have a Starboard Ships lamp complete with Blue Lens Paraffin Lamp like you in perfect condition. Has plate of Griffiths on top and address in good condition. Interested in History.
I used to live in Birmingham left in 2001 to N.Yokshire

 

[Tinab]

Hi Tina,

My grandfather used to work for G Bocock from the 1950s to the 1970s, retiring just a few years before the company closed. You might remember him? He was the travelling salesman, Jack Rooney from Liverpool. He worked as the sole salesman for years until Martin Bocock started helping.

The company was a victim of Britain joining the EEC in 1973. Until then, the UK Board of Trade, who regulated shipping, insisted ships' lamps must be made of copper and brass. After 1973 we were forced to accept EEC regulations that allowed other materials to be used. Philips lamps (from the Netherlands) were made of plastic and considerably undercut the prices of lamps made from copper and brass, which not only lasted many years but were works of art to look at.

Tony

Hi I didn’t realise you had replyd. I don’t recall that gentleman. The 1 office had 4 females and other 4 males. The males did the selling females did accounts wages typing and so on. I recall rushing up the old wooden staircase in mott street there would me a mr fenn who would be looking at his watch I was not aloud to talk to the young girl in packaging she was my age as u were office she was not. And we had our own key to a private toilet while the others had different ones. But happy some happy memories. Some not. My switchboard had a direct line to another company genton and griffiths doing same work. But after hard times it all joined as one. I was young I never actually new what happened with it all. But seahorse signs were there Moto

 

[foto2021]

Hi I didn’t realise you had replyd. I don’t recall that gentleman. The 1 office had 4 females and other 4 males. The males did the selling females did accounts wages typing and so on. I recall rushing up the old wooden staircase in mott street there would me a mr fenn who would be looking at his watch I was not aloud to talk to the young girl in packaging she was my age as u were office she was not. And we had our own key to a private toilet while the others had different ones. But happy some happy memories. Some not. My switchboard had a direct line to another company genton and griffiths doing same work. But after hard times it all joined as one. I was young I never actually new what happened with it all. But seahorse signs were there Moto

Thanks for your reply. My grandfather, Jack Rooney, was based in Liverpool and only rarely visited the office, I guess 2-3 times a year. His routine was to travel to a different area every Monday, returning on Friday. He would visit ships' and yacht chandlers in every port. In school holidays he would take my Nan and me with him. By the age of 16 I had visited most of Britain's ports. He covered the whole country until his 60s. Martin Bocock then took over the southern half while my Grandad covered the north, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He retired at 74.

Are you still in touch with anyone else from Bococks? I would love to get in touch with anyone who knew my grandfather.

 

[Tinab]

Thanks for your reply. My grandfather, Jack Rooney, was based in Liverpool and only rarely visited the office, I guess 2-3 times a year. His routine was to travel to a different area every Monday, returning on Friday. He would visit ships' and yacht chandlers in every port. In school holidays he would take my Nan and me with him. By the age of 16 I had visited most of Britain's ports. He covered the whole country until his 60s. Martin Bocock then took over the southern half while my Grandad covered the north, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He retired at 74.

Are you still in touch with anyone else from Bococks? I would love to get in touch with anyone who knew my grandfather.

No I’m not all we’re old when I was there so most must be dead now. I’m 61. Best wishes

 

[CAROL HAMILTON]

I have s rather old Starboard Blue lamp parrafin, its very old but want to know morw about it. The lamp is Blue its got brass plate on with E.L.I. Griffiths, 102 Bradford Street Birmingham on it and brass platw with Starboard. Want information on it age, type and possible value. Its parrafin