History Of Adie Brothers Manufacturing Jewellers & Silversmiths

This manufacturing firm of silversmiths is said to have been established in 1879.

The company was incorporated in 1906 joining the firms of McKewan & Adie (manufacturing jewellers, gold and silversmiths) and Edward Souter Barnsley (box and case makers).

1914

In this year the directors were listed as Percy James Adie, Hubert William Adie and James Percy Alderson.

Their Birmingham manufacturing premises were listed as 45 Frederick Street and 1 Northampton Street. 

1915

On October 20 1915 Andrew Vaughan Jones is listed as the inventor of the Adie Bros manicure pad. 

This invention is for a collapsible handle which is located on top of a vanity brush or manicure pad. This was to enable the brushes or buffers to be stored more securely in vanity cases, as then the lid could close tightly on top of the item without leaving a space which would allow the buffer etc to move about during transit.

The patent drawings below show this device on a nail buffer. 

At this time the soft material used to buff nails was often kid skin. 

Fig. 1 shows the handle in an elevated position.

Fig. 4 gives an example of how neatly the handle fits into the buffer when retracted. 

45 FREDERICK STREET BIRMINGHAM

An advertisement dated c. 1920 listed the Adie Brothers Ltd. head office and manufacturing works as 45 Frederick Street, Birmingham.

The large windows are typical for a premises where the manufacturing of jewellery is the primary purpose.

A good source of natural light is essential. The silversmiths and enamellers would have benches located right next to the windows.

Adie Bros crafted their tableware at the Frederick Street manufactory.

Fabulous vanities and high quality fancy goods were made at their Northampton Street premises. 

Adie Bros. are particularly well known for their hallmarked silver powder compacts.

Their work is of the highest standard and consequently the enamel finishes are remarkably durable and will last many lifetimes.

View hallmarked silver compact mirrors.

The company endeavoured to find production methods which would ensure the soundest and most hard-wearing finishes and manufacturing processes. 

1922

On January 12 1922 Frederick Charles Hall applied to have his patent registered on behalf of Adie Brothers Limited.

The description below goes into detail about the difficulties which can be experienced when plunging enamel into the gilding vat and how the firm avoids the enamel from being damaged. 

PATENT DRAWINGS FOR ADIE BROS. PATENT 196057

The patent was published on April 12 1923.

Improvements in and relating to Ornamental Brushes, Hand-mirrors, and like Articles.
We, ADIE BROTHERS LIMITED, a company organised under the laws of England, of 1, Northampton Street, Birmingham, and FREDERICK CHARLES HALL, British subject, of the same address, do hereby declare the nature of this invention as follows:- This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to ornamental brushes, handmirrors, and like articles, more particularly those in which a bristle carrier or a mirror is secured within or to a back suitably enamelled.
In this type of brush hitherto made, the back comprises a one piece member which is suitably decorated, and subsequently stove-enamelled. This construction offers disadvantages in that the metal forming the back of the brush has to be of heavy gauge to resist buckling during stove enamelling, and- then the pulling over onto the bristle carrier is liable to damage the enamel. Moreover, the usual solder employed will not stand heat, and a special solder has to be used. Further, these enamel goods are usually sold in gilt finish, and in the gilding operation, .the enamel on the back of these one-piece members has to go into the gilding vat, and this very frequently causes the enamel to fly off.

With our improvements the outer frame only has to be gilt, and the enamel does not come into the vat at all. 

         ADIE BROS. PATENT 196057 WAS PUBLISHED ON APRIL 12 1923

On March 19 1922 Andrew Vaughan Jones lodged an application on behalf of Adie Bros. for Improvements in Nail Polishing and like Pads. 

His invention was for a neater construction and more durable manicure pad. 

PATENT DRAWINGS FOR ADIE BROS. PATENT 193670

The Adie Bros. patent 193670 was published on March 1 1923.

1927

A patent for the invention of a Metal Spinning Tool was published on January 27 1927. The inventor is listed as James Percy Alderson of 109 Northwood Street, Birmingham, on behalf of Adie Bros. 

1933

From time to time this maker found that amateurs would attempt to repair one of their timepieces and then the watch would be reassembled in a less than satisfactory manner.

Adie Bros. saw this as damaging for their reputation and so a solution was sought. 



DRAWINGS FOR US PATENT 1940289

In 1933 Michael Laurence Bateman of Harrow, England, assignor to Adie Brothers Limited, made an application for a US patent (1940289). 

His invention was a method of sealing watches so that they could not be tampered with. 

His claims below describe the invention.

This invention comprises improvements connected with watches, and has for its object to provide an arrangement whereby the watch movement is sealed. It has been found that the repair of watch movements have often been undertaken by those who are unskilled in the art, with the result that the user is dissatisfied with the watch not knowing that it has been repaired in an unskilled manner. The present invention has been designed to overcome this defect in that the movement is issued sealed to the purchaser, who in order to obtain an efficient repair or replacement of the movement returns it sealed to the maker or his authorised agent, showing that the seal has been unbroken when the necessary repairs or replacement of the movement is effected. By this arrangement the maker will know whether the movement has been tampered with, whilst at the same time the user will be in a position to obtain a much more efficient service for the repair of the movement.

The publication date of this US patent was December 19 1933.

A Swiss patent was also registered for this invention on March 31 1934.

1937

During the Art Deco era Adie Brothers Ltd. crafted vanities embellished with classic Art Deco designs.

The one shown below is fashioned in the style of the Art Deco sunrise.

STERLING SILVER & GUILLOCHE ENAMEL ART DECO COMPACT

1941 

In June of this year the Northampton Street branch office and all the stock was destroyed when it was bombed by the Luftwaffe. 

During WWII many of the factories in the Jewellery Quarter were given over to war work. 

The paragraph below is the listing included for Adie Brothers Ltd. in the Directory of Manufacturers in Engineering & Allied Trades. It details the war work the firm undertook and the number of employees. 

70 Adie Bros., Ltd., 45, Frederick Street, Birmingham. Phone: Central 2799. T/A: Classic, Birmingham. Branch Factory: 1, Northampton Street, Birmingham. Area No. 4. Fuze cylinders, 82-80, 100 F. Tinplates. Silversmiths. Covers. Fuze No. 80, Mk. VII. ; No. 2, Mk. II. ; No. 3, Mk. V. -303. Cartridge box linings. 4-5-in, tin howitzer boxes. Pressings for aeroplanes. Employees : Male 55, Female 125.

Pre-War Work: Silverware. Presentation pieces. Table ware, & Also tortoiseshell and onyx mounted goods.

After the war manufacturing jewellers gradually began production of luxury goods again but there were acute shortages.

All the disruption and damage did not deter the most creative minds from improving their silverware and vanities.

VIEW THIS STERLING SILVER & GUILLOCHE ENAMEL COMPACT

Traditionally hand mirrors had a handle fitted on to them and secured by means of a nut, which may become loose or come undone. This design of hand mirror was not rigid or sound enough and so Anthony James Aide patented a hand mirror with a permanently fixed handle.

Patent number 538300 July 28 1941.

 ADIE BROTHERS PATENT NO. 538300

 1960s

In the late 1960s the firm became part of British Silverware and closed in 1968.

British Silverware Ltd. had a strong track record in supplying the finest bespoke silverware to some of the world's largest super yachts.

1963

The prestigious firm of Elkington & Co. was taken over by British Silverware, Ltd.

1971

British Silverware, Ltd. became a subsidiary of Delta Metal Co. Ltd. 

The original article written by Eleanor Bennett in 2017 was updated by Danielle Boyd in March 2022. 

You can find out more on the history behind this iconic silversmith in our bespoke fact packs that come with every order - shop the collection.

More information about guilloche enamel.

Sources:

Registers at Goldsmiths' Hall

The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Traders - John Culme

Patent Office