superdad3
master brummie
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.
The first invoice (1939) confirms that they had two factories in Birmingham on Bromsgrove Street and Moseley Street. They also had premises in Essex Street with head office in Hill Street. It also lists showrooms in London, Glasgow and Newcastle and that they are the sole manufacturers of Balmar coats, costumes and gowns. [Directories originally described Fred Marsh as “mantle manufacturers” – old fashioned word for capes etc]. The drawings of the factories are interesting but are they accurate? I think they have long gone? Further research confirmed that Frederick Marsh Ltd. was operating in Birmingham from before WW1 until at least 1951.
The second invoice (dated April 1951) suggests that the London showroom has closed but there is now one in Belfast and that the head office is now at 183 Moseley Street [at the factory].
Not a bad starting point for the history of a company from two invoices?
The company may have been wound up and reconstituted in Oct 1951 according to an entry in the London Gazette.
Any thoughts/views on Ebay and use of ephemera etc and members experiences?
The first invoice (1939) confirms that they had two factories in Birmingham on Bromsgrove Street and Moseley Street. They also had premises in Essex Street with head office in Hill Street. It also lists showrooms in London, Glasgow and Newcastle and that they are the sole manufacturers of Balmar coats, costumes and gowns. [Directories originally described Fred Marsh as “mantle manufacturers” – old fashioned word for capes etc]. The drawings of the factories are interesting but are they accurate? I think they have long gone? Further research confirmed that Frederick Marsh Ltd. was operating in Birmingham from before WW1 until at least 1951.
The second invoice (dated April 1951) suggests that the London showroom has closed but there is now one in Belfast and that the head office is now at 183 Moseley Street [at the factory].
Not a bad starting point for the history of a company from two invoices?
The company may have been wound up and reconstituted in Oct 1951 according to an entry in the London Gazette.
Any thoughts/views on Ebay and use of ephemera etc and members experiences?
