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I wonder if folks think it would be helpful to have a thread called New Birmingham Books where members can post details of new Birmingham books? Not just books? Perhaps pamphlets etc.? Could bring to a wider audience? Here's two I recently came across: 1. Wordsworth [Diane]: The Life of...

ManBaz commented on thread "The growth of AI", post 24 about my doggy avitar. Perhaps a few notes may be of interest? We were visiting Filongley, nr Atherstone back in 2008 and as we got out of the car a lovely GSD puppy appeared. Turned out she had been dumped/abandoned. She went to the local...

William Rolason, Jeweller of Vyse Street: William Rolason [one L but sometimes two] was listed as a ‘manufacturing jeweller’ in Slater’s National Directory for 1846 working from Great Hampton Row but by 1849 had moved to 81 Vyse Street and was living on the premises according to the 1851...

Birmingham Household Supply Association: Came across these two references to the Birmingham Household Supply Association: A couple of descriptions from the internet: “The Birmingham Household Supply Association was a prominent historic department store and retail enterprise. Situated...

Edwin Showell & Sons, Came across this on Ebay, made by Edwin Showell - a snip at £338! On checking I found that Edwin Showell & Sons was an old Birmingham firm founded about the turn of the 18thC in Lower Loveday Street. In 1903 they moved to a new factory in Charlotte Street, Stirchley...

Henry Shaw & Sons., Park Street The origins of the family firm of Henry Shaw & Sons Ltd. date back to 1799 and they were originally based in Park Street at the time when this area was the centre of Birmingham's metal working trade. Originally a nail maker but later rivets, tacks, chains and...

Wynn, Timmins & Co. Came across these adverts on Ebay as well as over a hundred items made by them for sale; must have been quite a major Birmingham company in its day – so decided to look into it’s history. Wynn, Timmins & Co. was an amalgamation of two well...

KINGS HEATH WOOlWORTHS When I came to Birmingham [after marriage] in the late 1960s we used to shop in Kings Heath and I used Woolworths a lot. It had a very good but not large DIY section which I used a lot. Their paint was cheap but very good. I also bought quite a few hand tools there. Later...

Spital &Clark Another small Birmingham metal working company that only lasted 17 years from 1897 to 1914. Based in Newhall Hill. This advert is from a trade catalogue dated 1912 and on sale on Ebay. This is from Graces Guidefor 1914: Architectural Metal Work Manufacturers, Iron and Bronze...

Howarth & Co., Umbrella Makers Howarths had premises at 8,9&11 Bull Street and at 56 High Street. Haven’t been able to trace any information about them. They made and repaired umbrellas. They were also noted for their brilliant and humourous adverts. Looking at them, the costumes etc look...

Armstrong, Stevens & Son Ltd. Came across this on ebay and did a bit of simple research on line. Firm was founded in 1835! with premises for many years at 15 Whittall Street. They later had a factory in Willenhall. It is no longer an independent company. The 1914 Directory lists them as...

Pollution Monitors: I noticed a small solar panel on lamp post on the other side of the road a week or so ago attached to a metal cylinder [in Moseley]. Neighbour said it was a pollution monitor. Noticed since many more in the area. Perhaps temporary? More important - why is BCC monitoring...

If you are a fan of the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child [aka James Grant] there is a free exhibition celebrating his work just opened at Grand Central, above Birmingham's New Street station. Opened by Lee Child himself to launch his 30th novel, called Exit Strategy. Open into December.

I’ve only recently discovered the value of “ ephemera” on ebay as a starting point for checking out a Birmingham company. [Apols if you already know this!]. Often contain useful information not easily found on-line. As an example here are two invoices for sale on Ebay for Frederick Marsh Ltd...

I've often wondered about the history of this building on Pershore Road, Stirchley. It opened in1912 as the Empire Theatre. and was taken over by ABC cinemas in 1932 but closed in 1943. It later became a garage and is now used by Enterprise Car Hire.

Harborne Police Station Well you learn something everyday! Harborne Police Station [the Rose Rd one] is now also. history. Must have passed me by. I don't think it's been mentioned on the Forum? The former divional HQ was closed in Oct 2023, put on sale in 2024 and acquired by Spitfire Homes...

Came across this invoice from Charles Cartwright & Sons dated 1893 for sale on Ebay. From 1846-1866 Charles Cartwright & Sons operated from 22 Edgbaston Street. By 1875 [advert] there was a showroom and warehouse at no 15. By 1869 a subsidery company was operating from Cumberland Street which...

Came across this on ebay and couldn't resist posting! Advert from 1918. Highgate Park Works was situated in Alcester Street but cannot trace location or much information about the factory. Josiah Isaacs must have had some success as he took out patents in the USA and Australia. This is part...

I was walking up Heathfield Road, Kingsheath yesterday and noticed this building. [Screenshot from Google Maps in 2017]. It looks Edwardian? Does anyone know anything about its history? Kellys Directory for 1940 lists 23-31 as TASCOS. Anyone know if this is the building. It swas convderted to...

Newton Road, Sparkhill. Fielders Tea & Provision Store. Corner shop? But which corner? Cannot trace on Streetview but so much changed.