John Grinsell & Sons History, Patents And Patent Drawings
John Grinsell was in partnership with Henry Bourne, trading as Grinsell & Bourne.
This partnership began sometime before 1864 & continued until its dissolution in 1871.
The firm was located at 18-19 Ludgate Hill in Birmingham, England.
John Grinsell left the Ludgate Hill premises and commenced the manufacturing of jewellery etc at Victoria Works on Tower Street in Birmingham.
This new enterprise was entered into with his sons (Thomas Bywater Grinsell, James Erazmus Grinsell, Lorenzo Grinsell and Joseph Charles Grinsell).
The business was styled as John Grinsell & Sons.
The impressive structure known as Victoria Works (shown above) is now a Grade II listed building.
This family firm was so successful that they opened showrooms in both the capital city of England and also in Glasgow.
The lock-up liquor frames as shown on this advertisement were just one of many patented designs registered by the firm at the English Patent Office in the 19th & 20th centuries.
In 1880 the firm was listed as:
Sole manufacturers and patentees of ‘Sesame’ lock-up liquor stands.
The oak frame of the lock-up liquor frames was fitted with electro-plated mountings.
The company referred to this style as BRITISH OAK WORK.
The company was also granted a patent for Improvements relating to spirit decanters and similar receptacles for liquids.
PATENT 169629
PATENT 169629
PATENT 169629
We note from this patent document that it dates to 1920.
The partners ensured that valuable patents did not lapse.
The business also specialized in manufacturing silver-mounted glass ware and high quality jewellery.
JOHN GRINSELL & SONS SOLID GOLD FOB
9 CARAT GOLD BLOODSTONE SWIVEL FOB
This delightful piece is a watch accessory and originally made to hang from a gentleman's watch chain.
In the twenty-first century antique gold fobs are often paired with gold necklaces and so they make ideal gifts for both ladies & gentlemen.
Bloodstone and carnelian are often traditionally paired.
The green jasper has inclusions of red hematite which is said to resemble spots of blood, hence the name bloodstone.
Christian legend refers to the blood of Christ turning to stone as it fell to the ground during the Crucifixion.
Bloodstone is attributed with giving the wearer success, courage and happiness.
JOHN GRINSELL & SONS 9CT GOLD & CARNELIAN FOB
Carnelian is said to confer the qualities of strength and courage.
THE MARK OF JOHN GRINSELL & SONS
J.G&S into a chamfered rectangle.
9 denoting 9 carat gold
.375 - the decimal value of 9ct gold
During the Victorian era, as well as crafting gold and silver jewellery, such as fobs, lockets and necklaces, this family concern was also listed as manufacturers of biscuit boxes, tea caddies, bowls and cruets.
BISCUIT BOX PATENT 191203183
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is ;
First :-A biscuit box or casket or the like wherein a glass, earthenware or other body is combined with an attached mount or fitting for carrying a hinged lid; said mount or fitting comprising an annular groove or channel for containing a compressible sealing ring whereby the box is rendered air-and-damp tight when the said lid is closed and fastened, substantially as herein described.
Secondly :-A biscuit box or casket comprising an internally-channelled ringmount furnished with a sealing ring as referred to in Claim 1, in combination with a lid which is hinged to the said mount and is provided with a flange or web adapted to seat onto and compress the said sealing ring for establishing an air-and-damp excluding joint when the said lid is closed and fastened, substantially as herein described.
Thirdly : --A ring-mount or lid-fitting for biscuit boxes and caskets, comprising a channelled part (such as bl) which is adapted to fit over and be secured to the edge of the body of the box, and a second or additional channel or groove, located on the inner periphery of the channelled part bl, and constituting an annular seating for a sealing-ling or joint-sealing facing, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
By the mid-Edwardian era the business was styled as John Grinsell & Sons Ltd.
This business name was used by the family from c.1905 to well into the 1930s.
On July 17 1935 the firm was granted a patent for Improvements in, or relating to, lids or covers for lemonade and other jugs.
PATENT NO. 431893
PATENT NO. 431893
PATENT NO. 431893
We are not sure exactly when Barker, Ellis & Co. Ltd. took over this business.
Please note that although we spend many hours each month updating or compiling new work for our historical blog section which is free to view, we do not offer an appraisal, identification, valuation or dating service to members of the public.
We do not purchase stock from private sellers.
However, each purchase from our store is shipped with a lavishly illustrated history which dates the item and details the history of the item and that of the maker.
Sources:
Patent Office
The Directory of GOLD & SILVERSMITHS Jewellers & Allied Trades 1838-1914 - John Culme
Silvercollection. it
wikipedia
