S Blanckensee & Son Ltd. Jewellers & Silversmiths

In 1826, Solomon Blanckensee founded a jewellery concern based in Bristol, England. The business proved to be highly successful and as time went by it acquired a number of other prominent jewellery firms. The size of the business and quality of the products meant that it had few others considered to be its equals.

Solomon relocated to Birmingham.  The business premises was a house located at Great Charles Street. The house was also the family dwelling. At this time it was usual and prudent for the owner to live on the premises or in an attached dwelling. After the death of Solomon in 1864, two of his sons, Abraham & Aaron, were in control of all aspects of the family’s jewellery trade. In 1873 Abraham died leaving Aaron and also a younger brother, Julius, to run the concern.

The family were well known for being successful jewellers and sometimes this fame attracted attention they would rather not have.

Despite there being much harsher penalties for those committing crimes in Victorian England the Blanckensee family were the victims of robberies on a number of occasions. 

Newspaper entries regarding robberies:

A daring robbery from a London railway station of £6,000 worth of jewels is reported. It was made at King's Cross Station of the Great Northern Railway. The victim is Mr. Blanckensee, of Messrs. S. Blanckensee and Son, Ltd., wholesale manufacturing jewellers, of Frederick-street, Great Hampton-street, Birmingham, manufacturing jewellers, with a London office at Ely-place, Holborn. Mr. Harry Blanckensee is well known on the road as a traveller in high-class goods. He arrived from Hull about 8 o'clock on Friday night and handed in at a temporary cloakroom close by the entrance to the Tube Railway at King's Cross Station a brass-bound leather case containing his samples, valued at £6,000.

Source: Llais Llafur 

On Monday a case containing jewellery valued at £1,000 was abstracted from the trap of a Mr. Blankensee, principal of a Birmingham firm of manufacturing jewellers, which was standing outside a shop in Tottenham Court-road, London. The coachman stood at the horse's head, and a policeman was standing within a few yards of the end of the vehicle at the time.

Source: The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser - 27th January 1882.

 

14 - 15 FREDERICK STREET LADYWOOD BIRMINGHAM

In 1885 the brothers purchased the well known Emanuel & Davis jewellery makers. In the same year they moved into a charming stuccoed two storey building in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter (14/15 Frederick Street) which contained workshops which were described as a manufactory in the advertising literature. This building was also known as Sovereign Hall. The family firm occupied this building from 1881 - 1945. 

Today the premises is a Grade II listed building. The Italianate decorative moulded capped plinths, wreath ornamentation and bearded head keystones set above the lintels mark this out as a place where a highly successful business traded in luxurious gold, silver and silver plate wares.

1887 INCORPORATION

In 1887 Soloman’s son, Aaron, became the Managing Director. The partnership was incorporated as a limited company,

The Blanckensee London show rooms were located at 22 Hatton Garden EC1.

VICTORIAN SILVER BLANCKENSEE & SON VESTA CASE

© Christies

More family members joined the company and their dedication ensured that this booming business could take over other rivals. By 1887 the company known as Simeon Greenberg had become part of the Blanckensee group. Sidney Blanckensee & Son (Aaron’s son & grandson) were involved in the manufacture of brooches and jewellery. The range would include all manner of items expected to be seen in a jeweller’s shop, except for clocks, watches and flatware.

SILVER BLANCKENSEE & SON PICTURE FRAME 

© purelysilverco

A sterling silver Birmingham assayed Art Nouveau picture frame with a die-stamped decoration - a warrior standing in a boat drawn by a pair of swans. As you would expect the easel back is constructed from wood.  Measures 9 inches.

The advertisements below show a small selection of the Blanckensee crafted wares.

 

1893

The advertisement shown above lists LIONEL BLANCKENSEE Manufacturer Of ELECTROPLATE IN EVERY VARIETY. The works and showrooms are located at 18 - 19 Northwood Street, Birmingham and 115 Holborn (near Hatton Garden) London EC.

Items listed as:

Top left to right - a tea and coffee set, fine cup (trophy), another trophy cup available in all sizes.

Second row left to right - an oak biscuit barrel, and also biscuit barrels in Crown Derby, glass and hand painted china.

Third row left to right - a trophy cup, a mounted glass fruit bowl, a Twist Glass Claret Jug, a hand painted Rose Design biscuit barrel.

Bottom left to right - Large Oak Beer Jug, Lined Oak Hot Water Jug, a holder for two jellies, a finely gilt oval dish and an Oak Brassier. 

1893

 

Top left to right show a variety of cruet sets and pots - silver plate & glass, New Cut Glass Carlton, Sugar and Cream Willow Pattern Design Copeland China, Fine Cut Glass Carlton (cruet set).

Next row left to right - patterned glass cruet set, an Oak Liquor Frame Tantalus decanter with cut glass bottles, another glass cruet set and another Oak Liquor Frame Tantalus. 

Third row down - a Tea Set comprising teapot, sugar bowl and a milk jug in Louis XIV, period, two more varieties of cruet sets. 

Fourth row down - a China Salad, with helpers Crown Derby Decoration, a Glass Jelly, Oak Salad (bowl) with helpers and a Sugar Basket all colours.

Fifth row down - a Salad Bowl with helpers, Oak Dish Butter and a glass butter dish.

Bottom row - a glass butter dish, China Butter Crown Derby Decorated, China Sardine Crown Derby Decorated, Lily Sugar Bowl Gilt inside and Silver, and in Salt and Egg Racks. 

 

 

1893

Top left to right - Toddy Kettle, Tea and Coffee Set Richly Engraved.

Next line - Tea (pot) Hand Engraved..variety of patterns, another silver plated tea pot, Toby Jug and Beakers. Dalton (China). 

Third line down - Toast Rack, Egg and Salt Combination, Owl Pepper (pot), Bacchanalian Jug and Beakers ....Stoneware.

Fourth line from the top - Tea, Pressed Pattern, Tea Pot Hand Engraved, Oak Tankard, Pint Tankard.

Bottom line - Tea Set, Can Shape, China Breakfast Various Colours (this looks like a condiment set), Modern Afternoon Set (Teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug).

 

 

 THE MARK OF LIONEL BLANCKENSEE

Lionel Blanckensee was the son of Abraham Solomon Blanckensee. He followed in his father's footsteps, opening a business located on Buckingham Street, Birmingham. Some time after this, his firm occupied premises at 18 & 19 Northwood Street, an address which is also located in the Birmingham jewellery quarter. We think that the building on Northwood Street may no longer exist, as this area has been subject to redevelopment and we can not find it. London showrooms were located at various addresses in Holborn from 1893 - 1906. The advertisements shown above list the London address as 118 Holborn (near HATTON Garden), LONDON, E.C.  Lionel Blanckensee died in January 1933.

1893

By the time of the deaths of Aaron (1902) & Julius (1912) other businesses had been purchased, namely Isaac Silverstone & Nathan & Hayes. Sidney made the decision that the company should also focus on manufacturing silver, as well as trading as jewellers, gold and silversmiths.

At this time their manufacturing premises were located at Great Hampton Street.

VIEW THIS 15 CARAT GOLD LOCKET NECKLACE

A splendid fully hallmarked 15 carat gold locket which was crafted by S. Blanckensee & Sons Ltd. in 1908. This delightful Edwardian antique is suspended from an elegant 15 carat gold necklace. Both sides of the locket are embellished with ornate engravings which convey the most romantic symbolism. These include a scroll shaped cartouche, acanthus leaves and forget-me-not flowers.   

The scroll represents wisdom. Acanthus leaves convey the desire for immortality. Forget-me-not flowers symbolise true love and respect.

VIEW THIS EDWARDIAN GOLD LOCKET

A magnificent locket which was crafted by the well known maker S Blanckensee & Son in the Edwardian era. This delightful piece dates to 1908 and it was assayed* (tested for purity*) at Chester Assay Office. One side of the locket is embellished with ferns and acanthus leaves. The other side is decorated with ivy leaves. Ferns symbolise sincerity. Acanthus leaves represent the desire for everlasting life. Ivy leaves represent everlasting love, deep friendship and fidelity. Both sides are fitted with black moire.

BLANCKENSEE & SON LTD 9CT ROSE GOLD LOCKET

The splendid locket shown above was assayed at Birmingham in 1915. Ornate engravings grace both sides of this fully hallmarked 9ct rose gold locket. Around a central circular cartouche florid acanthus and ivy leaves form a mesmerizingly beautiful composition. The back bears a full set of hallmarks neatly disguised within ivy and acanthus leaves. 

Lockets are probably the most personal items of jewellery, as they carry the portraits of our loved ones. The engravings seen on antique lockets are deeply symbolic.

Acanthus leaves represent immortality, rebirth, longevity and healing.  Ivy symbolises everlasting love, deep friendship, fidelity, or wedded bliss. 

ORIGINAL HAND TINTED PORTRAITS

The interior contains the original hand tinted portraits, both frames and both protective covers for the portraits. The locket opens and closes perfectly.

As well as the crafting of first rate hallmarked gold lockets the firm sought to reap the benefits of the wedding ring trade, which has always been a huge market. The acquisition of the Albion Chain Co. in 1916 was a superb tactic to corner the market. Representatives would travel to each county in England promoting the firm’s wares.

By the early 1920s in the region of 600 people were dependent on the company for a living. During this decade Stokes & Ireland & A & J Zimmerman were absorbed into the business.

By 1936 numbers 16 and 49 Frederick Street were also known as business premises of the firm, as was the address of 19 - 39 Regent Place, Birmingham.

The company acquired J W Tiptaft Ltd., who were the foremost manufacturer of sporting trophies in England. This acquisition allowed the firm to benefit from retaining the skilled artisans and knowledgeable workers needed to dominate this trade.  

The tagline Everything in silver & plate was very appropriate. This highly successful manufacturing silversmiths made just about everything you would expect to find made out of silver and also high quality gold jewellery.

 In 1947 the firm was a listed exhibitor at the British Industries Fair.