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Clark And Sewell Legge Lane

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relicsoftheregion

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Hi everyone,

I'm trying to dig out some information about Clark and Sewell, a silvermakers based in Legge Lane.

The original building still stands there today, albeit derelict and abandoned (there are lots of urbex photos on the net).

It would be great to find out some more info about this company, what they produced, and to hear some memories of people who may have worked there.

As far as I know, they used to produce items like card cases, cigar cases, ash trays, vases and rings. I believe the firm was established by James Clark & John Sewell in 1899.

This is their hallmark.

29INGLESEBIS.jpg


Any more info / help greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Michael.
 
Thank you for the link, Michael. The building & the silverware that came out of it make an interesting juxtaposition. The National Archives & English Heritage did not seem to have info / pics on Clark & Sewel, or at least none that I could find so I am pleased that you raised the subject on BHF. You are addressing an omission! I am sure the Master will step in.
 
Clark & Sewell from Kellys

1900 105 Carver st is not listed (and 4-5 Legge Lane is a brassworks). No Clark or Sewell listed as silversmiths in Kellys
1903 Clark & Sewell, silversmiths, 105 Carver street
1904 Clark & Sewell, silversmiths, 105 Carver street & 4 & 5 Leggelane
1905-1950 Clark & Sewell, manuf. silversmiths, 4 & 5 Legge lane.
By 1955 that part of the premises of nos 4-5 had been taken over by William Neale & sons(Birmingham), silversmiths

Earliest mention in Kellys of a of a private address for James Clark or John Sewell
Is in 1908:
1908 Clark James, Daylesford, Hamstead Hall road, Handsworth
1908 Sewell John, School House lane,Yardley
We don’t know if that is them, but they do appear at the same time, soon
after the firm seems to be expanding
In 1901 there is a silversmith , james clark (29) at no 2 back 25 winson green road , an employer with brother george (15) employed as silversmith . He was born in warwick, and has a son and two daughters with him. In this case, if this is the person associated with the firm, he had a silversmith firm from at least 1901 and possibly the 1899 mentioned, though initially it was not listed in Kellys
Possibly someone with access to the 1911 census could look at the two 1908 addresses

Mike
 
Hi i am looking for any info on the manufacturing jewellers clark and sewell established around 1900. Did it prosper? how many employees? Is it still going? any info appreciated.
thanx:)
 
Hi Stan - if you type Sewell into the search box on the top right, you will see there are at least 3 separate threads on the business, building and family that may help.
 
Trying to confirm who the Clarke was.
The Sewell was my grandmother´s brother John Albert Sewell who was married to Selina Ryland.
I suspect that the Clarke was Robert Clarke who was married to Selina´s sister Elizabeth, but can´t prove it.
The two families were living next door to each other in 1901 & both men were silversmiths, so it would seem logical, but although I´ve Googled & found info about John Albert, I can´t find out who Clarke was.
Please can anyone help?
 
Just looked at Silversmiths/ Jewellers Marks and C & S stands for james Clark and john Sewell . Legge Street.Birmingham registered 1906 makers of Cigar
and cigarette cases, Lockets, Vesta cases etc.
The Clark is spelt without an 'e'. there are many sites amongst the antique sites that specialise in Silver that sell Clark and Sewell pieces.
In all cases I have found Clark is spelt that way.

The Clark was James Pallett Clark born Warwick 1872 living at Warwick house , Penns Lane, Erdington in 1911.Occupation Manufacter (Silversmith)
John sewell, Selina and family in Linwood Road, Handsworth.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for that Alberta.
It´s been bugging me for years wondering who John Albert´s partner was.
He & his family did indeed live in Linwood Road & later moved to Philip Victor Road. he & Selina are buried in the same grave at St Mary Handsworth.
 
Alberta said:
Just looked at Silversmiths/ Jewellers Marks and C & S stands for james Clark and john Sewell . Legge Street.Birmingham registered 1906 makers of Cigar
and cigarette cases, Lockets, Vesta cases etc.
The Clark is spelt without an 'e'. there are many sites amongst the antique sites that specialise in Silver that sell Clark and Sewell pieces.
In all cases I have found Clark is spelt that way.

The Clark was James Pallett Clark born Warwick 1872 living at Warwick house , Penns Lane, Erdington in 1911.Occupation Manufacter (Silversmith)
John sewell, Selina and family in Linwood Road, Handsworth.
Click to expand...
James Pallett Clark was my grandfather, he did live at 52 Stratford Road, Warwick and later in Winson Green and finally at Penns Lane. He retired 1929 and died 1943.
 
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