The Jewellery Quarter

[oldbrit]

The late Norfolk Brummie Eddie Haynes and Myself worked for a Commercial Artist in the Jewellery Quarter I will post his name when my senior moment memory clears it's self.

 

[Ron Baker]

Hi

My first post
My interest is Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, Looking for info about Silverware makers,
Dates hallmarks history etc
Any contributions welcome

 

[Radiorails]

Welcome Ron, Try a search. It will bring up many references to the Jewellery Quarter, such as this one.

The Jewellery Quarter

Welcome Ron, Try a search. It will bring up many references to the Jewellery Quarter, such as this one. https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/the-jewellery-quarter.706/page-2#post-661273 You will also find references in the districts and streets, such as Vyse Street and many...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

You will also find references in the districts and streets, such as Vyse Street and many in the Then and Now and similar threads.
There is a lot here on the Forum.

 

[lost family]

A Free exhibition at the Ikon Gallery:

26 October to 10 November: Still: Stories from the Jewellery Quarter exhibition

A new exhibition is exploring the past and present experiences of those who spend their lives working in this important and historic area of Birmingham.

Bringing together photographic portraits and oral histories from the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, the exhibition provides a unique insight into Birmingham’s cultural and industrial heritage. The exhibition is inspired by people who have spent their lives working in an area within the Jewellery Quarter covering just six streets – Frederick Street, Warstone Lane, Legge Lane, Albion Street, Vittoria Street and Regent Place. Focusing on an area which is experiencing intense change, the exhibition provides the opportunity to consider and reflect on the lives and memories of some of those who have helped give the iconic area its unique character.



The exhibition is being held at Iron House Gallery and is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

Free to attend.

There will also be a series of events and activities to support the exhibition, see website for further details at th.jewelleryquarter.net/StillJQ

There is a talk by Carl Chinn to go with the exhibition, but unfortunately this is full up

Wish i d known . wish id known about this site sooner.

 

[lost family]

Hi

My first post
My interest is Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, Looking for info about Silverware makers,
Dates hallmarks history etc
Any contributions welcome

Some brumies went to sheffield to work also you could buy a hallmark book

 

[Astoness]

Wish i d known . wish id known about this site sooner.

its neve too late ....where abouts in birmingham did you live

lyn

 

[lost family]

Did anyone ever work in the Jewellery Quarter? I worked there when I was in my early teens for a bloke called Ronnie Broadhead. He had a workshop in Northampton Street. I used to run errands for him. He'd give me a note for some firm or other and when I got there they would give me half a dozen emeralds, a few rubies, a couple of sapphires maybe and an assortment of diamonds, all 'on appro'. Next day i would take back the the ones he didnt use. Talk about trusting? it would never happen today.

I also used to sweep the workshop for him and take the sweeping to Sheffield Smelt (Warston Lane I think) who paid a good price for floor sweepings. They would burn off the dirt and extract the gold shavings. Nothing was wasted.

Also, if anyone has a picture of Northampton Street (preferably pre 1970), I'd appreciate a copy. I'm writing something for the site on this topic which I hope to deliver in the next couple of weeks (honest Rod).

I used to help out in the school hol s. join and contact me. There was a few work shops

 

[brianthelion]

Wish i d known . wish id known about this site sooner.

Is it Ikon or iron house which is on Great Hampton Row?

 

[alberto]

I used to help out in the school hol s. join and contact me. There was a few work shops

I worked in the jewelry quarter when I was about 13 / 14 part time after school ( full time in the school holidays ), F C Parry @ Spencer st. They made RAOB buffaloes regalia. I got the job because a local hard knock who worked there had to go to borstal and he gave me the info that a job was available. I stayed there till i left school 15 .Then I got a Job just outside the jewelry quarter in york terrace Hockley as an apprentice toolmaker. That would be about 1965-1967 when i worked there.

 

[STEVE OSBRON]

Hi Guys , I am looking for any info on James Harrison of Tenby Street, Birmingham . I have just brought a ring of his dated 1912 . Please see the photo . There does not seem much info on the net about him .
Kind regards Steve

 

[Astoness]

thats a nice ring....hopefully someone can help you with a little bit of history about its maker

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

James Harrison and Sons were at Tenby Street until at least 1940 according to adverts for job vacancies in the British Newspaper Archive. So a successful business. They also produced lockets. Viv

 

[mikejee]

James Harrison & Sons was founded in 1880 at 15 Tenby St. Around 1942 they moved to the former premises of Manton & Mole at 63 Warston lane;m They were still there in 1973, but went into receivership around 1991

 

[Pedrocut]

Down in 1883 as Diamond Mounter, 16, Tenby Street.

 

[Vivienne14]

Wow, over a 100 years in the business ! Good to hear. Viv.

 

[Pedrocut]

(Grace Guide)...James Harrison and Sons

of Tenby Street Works, Birmingham. Telephone: Central 2734. Cables: "Ringwork, Birmingham"

• 1929 Listed Exhibitor British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of 18ct. Gem Rings, all prices and kinds. 18ct. and 9ct. Signet Rings, ladies' and gent.'s; 9ct. Brooches; 15ct. and 9ct. Earrings. 18ct and 9ct. Sleeve Links. Birmingham Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association Member. (Stand Nos. J.43 and J.54) [1]

 

[Pedrocut]

Signet Ring from J Harrison of Tenby Street, 1909...
B https://www.amberjill.com/antique-signet-ring-514.html

 

[Vicki123]

Hi please can you help me, I'm trying to find out what happened to H&H harri & hunt in tenby street, they were jewellery makers I've looked everywhere, I know they were there in the 70s, thanks guys for any help

 

[Bob Rose]

Sorting out my old dvd's, I came across one with a lot of the old factories in the Jewellery Quarter. Not sure when I took these and do not know the names of most of the buildings. It was probably when I was visiting my uncles factory Arthur Wardle & Co. in Albion Street. The company is still very much in existence and still run by the family but have moved to new premises. I enclose some of the photos that may bring back memories.

 

[RobT]

Bob, rotated those couple for you,
In the previous post 5A, is the George & Dragon Pub, 12 Albion Street/Carver Street

 

[mikejee]

1A is 42 Caroline St
2A is 4-5 Mary St

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

3A is directly almost opposite at 29 Mary St

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

as shown on map

 

[mikejee]

4A is the same building as I photographed in around 1970, though this is a better photo. I quote from what I wrote then:
This is no 45 Frederick St, which is a converted house built about 1820 with large grounds which in about 1880 were sold off and built on. The house became the factory for Robinson & McKewan , jewellers & silversmiths

6A seems familiar, but I cannot place it

 

[Bob Rose]

Hi mikejee
Thanks for information. I wish I could remember when I took the photographs. It was obviously with a small basic camera as the quality is not good. I think I was trying to capture old Jewellery Quarter empty factories before they were demolished to make way for modern monstrosities!

 

[RobT]

6A seems familiar, but I cannot place it

Could 6A be W.H.Manton's, 5,7 & 9 Vyse Street, Hockley, Silversmiths?

 

[Astoness]

i have taken photos of pic 3 on post 1

 

[A Sparks]

Hi mikejee
Thanks for information. I wish I could remember when I took the photographs. It was obviously with a small basic camera as the quality is not good. I think I was trying to capture old Jewellery Quarter empty factories before they were demolished to make way for modern monstrosities!

Great photos!
The quality isn't bad at all.

 

[Lady Penelope]

We took a walk around the Jewellery Quarter yesterday and took photographs of a couple of things. I'll put them on the forum as separate items. Firstly, I hadn't walked down Warstone Lane for some and was slightly shocked to see this building. There's a bar on the corner and a coffee shop next door but it was the building material that stopped me in my tracks. Maybe they thought it was in keeping with the grey of the cemetery offices - I don't know. It's actually darker than it looks in the photos. Can anyone remember what was there until recently please?

 

[Lady Penelope]

The second item was in Regent Place heading towards Vittoria Street. I was surprised to see a long hoarding and again couldn't remember what was there before. Post Office tower in the second photo. I was hoping that the name on the side of the building in picture 3 would be readable but it isn't. Sorry. Once you've passed the bend the hoarding goes almost along the whole of that side of the street.

 

[izzy eckerslike]

It's the 1960's all over again, pull down beautiful old Victorian buildings and replace them with ugly eyesores and give the architect a medal.

 

[pjmburns]

We took a walk around the Jewellery Quarter yesterday and took photographs of a couple of things. I'll put them on the forum as separate items. Firstly, I hadn't walked down Warstone Lane for some and was slightly shocked to see this building. There's a bar on the corner and a coffee shop next door but it was the building material that stopped me in my tracks. Maybe they thought it was in keeping with the grey of the cemetery offices - I don't know. It's actually darker than it looks in the photos. Can anyone remember what was there until recently please?

View attachment 154424View attachment 154425View attachment 154426

This was it in 2017 when the building was up for sale. I think it might be the same but windows made larger and grey coated.
Just checked and planning permission was given in 2018 for larger windows and refurbishment of the building.