Turner & Simpson Ltd A Brief History

Turner & Simpson are well known as makers of fine silverware, vanities, cigarette cases, snuff boxes, clocks and curios. Although the premises was purely industrial and set within the heart of Birmingham's jewellery quarter it did have the appearance of a rather large cottage, from the exterior. The tiled roof, black framed windows and white exterior walls gave the appearance of a dwelling, except for the company name, TURNER & SIMPSON  LTD., emblazoned on the front wall in large black stylish letters. The company was founded in 1912.

During World War I (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918) most manufacturing plants in Great Britain were given over to the war effort. The same can be said for WWII.

1918 DIRECTORY OF MANUFACTURERS IN ENGINEERING AND ALLIED TRADES

In the 1918 directory shown above the firm's war work was listed as:

The building was located at the top of Legge Lane. The whole area was at one time filled with manufacturing premises given over to the production of fine silver, cutlery and curios. The cobbled streets and buildings had changed very little in hundreds of years. Many of the tools used by the silversmiths and artists were ancient and were still the best implements for the job.

On entering the premises at 15 / 16 Legge Lane a climb up a creaking staircase would lead to the reception. The building was divided into many rooms which served as workshops and also an elegant office from which Mr Turner & Mr Simpson ran their business. The office contained the normal furniture that you would expect to see and also beautiful wooden cabinets with leaded windows displaying some of the firm's silverware. Above the fireplace the wall was decorated with very fine Turner & Simpson solid silver medallions struck to commemorate royal  occasions. These examples were much larger than the commemorative medals available for sale. They were roughly the same size as a gentleman's head. 

Most of the workshops contained benches as near to the large windows as possible. A good source of natural light was essential, as so much of the work was painstakingly detailed. Large fluorescent lights were located over the workbenches. Some of the workshops relied solely on electric lighting. The area in which the gilding took place had bare brick walls and benches with large recesses containing buckets. Items ready to be gilded were plunged into the buckets containing the steaming hot solution prepared to gild the surfaces.

The business was a family firm and many of the employees worked for Turner & Simpson their entire working lives. 

Traditional tools and working practices were used to create silver pieces of the highest quality. Silversmiths, engravers, enamellers and gilders all had their own designated places in the building.  

The firm was registered with the Birmingham Jewellers' & Silversmiths' Association.

In 1920 they were included on the association's list of exporters.

BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR 1929 CATALOGUE

In 1929 their registered address was 12 - 16 Legge Lane, Birmingham 1, Great Britain.

In this same year they were a listed exhibitor at the British Industries Fair. The fair was organised by the Department of Overseas Trade. The venue was The White City, London, W12. The fair took place between February 18th to March 1st 1929.

Turner & Simpson Ltd. occupied stand numbers J.43 & J.54 at this fair. 

The catalogue records the firm as:-

1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Medallists, Silversmiths, Enamellers. Manufacturers of good class Silver Ware in Enamel. Plain Silver and Engine-turned Silver-Toilet Articles, Cigarette Cases, Boxes, Clocks, Candlesticks, Vases, Manicures, etc. Birmingham Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association. (Stand Nos. J.43 and J.54)  

 1947 BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR CATALOGUE 

Almost two decades later Turner & Simpson Ltd. were continuing to exhibit at the British Industries Fairs. 

1947 STERLING SILVER & GUILLOCHE ENAMEL COMPACT MIRROR

A delightful hallmarked sterling silver compact mirror crafted by Turner & Simpson in 1947. The lid is embellished with white guilloche enamel in the style of an Art Deco sunburst. An enchanting hand painted bouquet of bluebells tied with a blue ribbon graces the lid. The bluebell is highly symbolic, representing everlasting love, constancy and gratitude.

In 1947 Turner & Simpson were noted in the catalogue as:

1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Medals, Badges, Silver Goods, Gold and Silver Cigarette Cases, Powder Compacts, Cuff Links, Enamelled Spoons, Challenge Cups and Shields, Metal Jewellery, Souvenir Goods, Hot Brass Stampings and Piercings, Metal Smallwares. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. E.1707)

The company are particularly well known for their exquisitely beautiful sterling silver and guilloche enamel powder compacts.

VIEW THIS STERLING SILVER & ENAMEL COMPACT MIRROR

 VIEW THIS 1955 TURNER & SIMPSON HALLMARKED SILVER COMPACT

In 1955 this delightful vanity was created by the firm for use with loose face powder or as an impressive handbag mirror.  The lid is adorned with guilloche enamel - beautiful crimson roses and dark green foliage.  The inner lid, mirror bezel and case are hallmarked. The powder well bears a full set of hallmarks. The original sifter is present. It is free of any powder residue. The inner lid is decorated with a stylish anchor motif and held in place by an ornate sliding catch. 

VIEW THIS STERLING SILVER & GUILLOCHE ENAMEL COMPACT 1960 

A superb sterling silver compact mirror suitable for loose face powder or as the most enchanting handbag mirror. This splendid vanity was assayed at Birmingham in 1960. The lid has absolutely stunning guilloche enamel and beautiful pale pink, yellow and crimson gladioli, surrounded by a hand chased border. The interior contains an excellent mirror, a powder well with a full set of hallmarks and the original sifter which is free of powder residue.  

VIEW THIS 1962 TURNER & SIMPSON BLACKBERRY & ROSEHIP COMPACT

A beautiful silver and enamel Turner & Simpson powder compact which is suitable for loose and pressed powder. Max Factor, Rimmel and many other brands will fit this compact.  

The company ceased trading in 1979.

More wonderful hallmarked silver powder compacts.

If you would like to see the most wonderful exhibition of photography which showcases this maker, copy & paste the link below into your browser. 

https://th.jewelleryquarter.net/jq-on-view-janine-wiedel/

Please note that although we spend many hours each week 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.

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:

Directory of Manufacturers in Engineering and Allied Trades

Gracesguide

jewelleryquarter.net