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The Jewellery Quarter

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nipper
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Sharp's disappeared between 1921 & 1932. In 1932 there was an A Marston & Son , manufacturing silversmiths at 54 Albion St, which is probably the same firm as Alfred Marston ,manufacturing silversmith in Icknield St in 1921. Don't know if they were connected.
 
Thanks Mike, It's a bit vague because my cousin remembered about the name " Sharp's" and Mum wrote about "Marston's" in some notes. He worked from 1901 onwards so it could be both. It will be interesting to visit, when those properties are restored.
 
This is Grandad in the Jewellery Quarter but I don't know the year. Some of the damage on the photo
image0-16.jpg
has been restored, so it's not very high quality. Grandad is in the middle.

rosie.
 
What a lovely picture Rosie. I have jewellers in my family, but no such photos exist as far as I am aware. How smashing it would be to have one like this.

Shortie
 
Hi carolina,
He worked for a man called Paul Sharp at some time possibly in Albion St. Also in Spencer St. There's no one left to ask now but on 1901 census he was called "gold ring maker" and then he made diamond rings by carving the settings. (There's a picture of him dated 1909 on the Family tree Weddings thread) I am fortunate to have these photos as my cousin has been sorting hers out and has had copies made.

rosie.
 
Rosie how interesting for you have these lovely old photos. Where I lived in Ford Street just off The Flat we had a room attached to the house which was always know as 'the factory'. I have been able to find out that in fact in the early 1900s it was indeed a jewellery work shop. My ex husband also was a jeweller and began his working life in early 1960s in Spencer Street. He was a diamond and gem setter. My mother was a badge enameller and worked in various locations in and around the Jewellery Quarter.
 
My original engagement ring was made in Spencer Street, Lawson Bates and Son made it. Would that name be familiar Carolina? I was lucky enough to have been given a replacement after that one became too small, that was made in Vyse Street, No 19 I think.
 
rosie what a lovely photo I am sure some on here may be able to restore it a little. Many of us on the forum have Jewellers in the family. I had a few in my grandmothers family. I have been there today to help with a clear up in Warstone Lane cemetery. I have to say the 'quarter' looked lovely with the Christmas lights on. I had my mothers rings repaired at G.H.Moore and Son at no 19 Vyse Street a couple of years ago. A lovely family run business.
 
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Stars it was Hadley and Inman who he worked for (£7.00 per week). Harry Hadley eventually retired and took over The Sun at Romsley. They gave us my wedding ring as a wedding present.
 
Thanks for the link Jayell what great pictures it gives a real insight into to working life of our jeweller ancestors .
 
i agree with you paul...what a wonderful archive...J W EVANS is still on my list of places to visit..must get round to it this year...

thanks for the link judy...great pics...

lyn
 
Pics are great Jayell, thanks.
Must get to both the Jewellry quarter and the Pen museum this year,keep promising myself, but never get there!!
Both of my engagement rings came from the Jewellry quarter, but I can't remember the jewellers they came from, must have a look through my paperwork and find the receipts.
Does anyone know if there are any jewellers in the quarter who do repairs while you wait - moms engagement ring setting has worn very thin and the stone is loosening, but she is reluctant to leave it anywhere.
Thanks Sue
 
I doubt very much whether they would do a 'while you wait service'. If she is worried, best to take it to a well known place in the quarter.
 
Some pics that I (or others) have posted before the hacking

l. Camden Grove
2. The derelict Lustre Anodising, Camden Drive
3. Old School Builing, Legge Lane

Sorry, didn't work...will try again soon!
 

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Hi,

my ancestor 'William Henry Blackstaffe' came from a family of Jewellers and silversmiths. He worked as a Chaser and Embosser at 'Ruby Buildings, 27, Frederick street' and later at 26 Hall Street with his son.

Does anyone know if there are any old photographs of either of the streets? I have emailed both the Jewellery Quarter museum and the Archives to seee if they hold anything.


William Henry Blackstaffe..jpg The attached photograph is of William Henry Blackstaffe

Kind regards

Chris
 
Hi Carolina,

Thank you for the suggestion about the Pen Room Museum, I hadnt contacted them but have now sent them an email. Fingers crossed tehy might a photograph, if so I look forward to posting on here

Kind regards

Chris
 
:encouragement: I visited the Quarter 3 years ago and found it fascinating, especially the museum. Family ancestors lived/worked in the area, including my 3rd great
grandfather who was a jeweller. Other family members found on early census documents list their occupations as silver polishers, silver burnishers and one member a lapidary. They mostly lived in the ecclesiastical districts of St Paul, St Philip, St Martin. I've never been able to find trade directory entries
for any of them, but they worked/lived in the area in the late 1700s. Please does anybody have any information on the Quarter from the late 1700s?
I'm very interested in the social history for the Quarter and immediate surrounding areas.
 
If you have any particular names, with some idea of approx dates , then someone might have come across them. Part of the problem is that directories prior to about 1841 were a bit sparse of detail and not very comprehensive, but you might be lucky
Mike
 
Willmott
Don’t know if any of these of interest:
From directories
Wrightsons directories (Am not sure if the josephs were the same person, but they all appear in different years)
1815-18 Underwood Joseph, gilder in general, Mount-street
1823 Underwood Joseph, victualler, 44, Bull-street
1839 Underwood Joseph, gilder, Charlotte street
1818 Underwood John, gilder, Mount-street
1823 Underwood John, water gilder, 43, Mount-Street
1829-33 Underwood John, gilder, 43, Mount-st.
Whites & also PO directories
1849 Underwood Joseph Assistant overseer 126 Vyse St – this would probably be in the jewellery trade, being in Vyse St
1855, probably nothing to do with the others
Underwood Joseph, manufacturer of flexible purses, pocket books & patent expanding purses, 142 Irving st.
Mike
 
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