Antique and collectible history

Antique Fully Hallmarked Gold Lockets

How To Fit Photos & Hair Into Antique Gold Lockets. Locket Care & Use

Including a lock of hair in an antique locket has long been a traditional way to remember a loved one. The simple design of a curled lock of hair is one of the most popular and easiest ways to present a lock of hair.
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Edwardian Fully Hallmarked Gold Lockets

The Ultimate Guide To Buying Authentic Edwardian Jewellery

This guide will show you how to guarantee that you are buying authentic Edwardian jewellery.

While other blogs deal with Edwardian style and fashion we are endeavouring to compile a guide to enable accurate dating.

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HM Queen Elizabeth II Early Life, Coronation And Coronation Programme

HM Queen Elizabeth II Early Life, Coronation And Coronation Programme

Many of Her Majesty's subjects knew that her favourite country was Scotland. Her Majesty chose to spend her last days at Balmoral Castle, her favourite residence, so that she could say “goodbye” to Scotland and the Scottish people, because she knew her final resting place would be at Windsor.

Some people forgot or did not know that Queen Elizabeth II was Scottish. 

She was descended from the Royal House of Stewart on both sides of her family. 

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Vintage Stratton Brand Sunglasses 1950s Catalogue Full Colour

Vintage Stratton Brand Sunglasses 1950s Catalogue Full Colour

This trade catalogue dates to c.1958 because the company used the name Laughton & Sons Ltd. on the back cover. 

Meanwhile the listing shown below in the April 26 1958 edition of The Chemist And Druggist describes the makers as JARRETT RAINSFORD & LAUGHTON LTD., WARSTOCK ROAD, BIRMINGHAM 14. 

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William Devenport Edwardian Manicure Set 1907

Silversmith William Devenport & Son A Brief History

The origins of the esteemed maker known as William Devenport began in early Victorian England in 1837. The firm was founded by Joseph Whitton after whom it was named. When William Devenport became a partner it was styled as Whitton & Devenport. Later on this jewellery concern was known as William Devenport and when his son joined the firm, William restyled the business name to William Devenport & Son.
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A Brief History Of A Fattorini Manufacturing Jeweller Gold And Silversmith

A Brief History Of A Fattorini Manufacturing Jeweller Gold And Silversmith

The firm was founded in 1827 by Antonio Fattorini (1797 - 1860). This remarkable company is still in business at the time of writing this post. 

In 1829 the firm was listed as a jeweller in northern England. The exact location was 18 Bazaar, Central Market, Leeds, Yorkshire. This company of manufacturing jewellers was also owned retail premises.

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Fully Hallmarked 15 Carat Gold Antique Locket Necklace

Goldsmiths Sheldon Brothers And Their Antique Gold Lockets

Sheldon Brothers began trading in 1881. The firm operated from buildings located in the heart of the London & Birmingham Jewellery Quarters. In the Victorian era their business premises were listed as 6 Vyse Street, Birmingham and 65 Hatton Garden, London, EC. 

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Crisford & Norris Patented Powder Compact Design

Crisford & Norris History, Patent Drawings And Patents

This firm of manufacturing silversmiths was active from 1896 - 1959, when it was acquired by Ward Brothers (Birmingham) Ltd. The business premises of Harold Crisford & William Clement Norris were located at 117-118 Vyse Street in the heart of the Birmingham jewellery quarter. The company is noted for its high quality luxury pieces which include babies rattles, bookmarks, boxes, button hooks, card cases, powder compacts, match box holders, napkin rings, pepperettes, shoe horns, spoons, stamp cases and trophy cups.

 

 

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Dennison Watch Case Company Vanity Box Patent

A Brief History Of Vogue Vanities And The Dennison Watch Case Company

We found patents and entries in The Chemist And Druggist trade journal which help to explain a timeline of this business. These sources also provide the link between Vogue Vanities and the Dennison Watch Case Company.
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Robert Pringle & Sons Manufacturing Jewellers And Goldsmiths

Robert Pringle & Sons Manufacturing Jewellers And Goldsmiths

The enchanting illustration above shows the industrious nature of the Pringle family. At first glance we see a double fronted manufacturing premises fitted out with an elegant showroom on the ground floor. The signage reads as follows 42 ROBERT PRINGLE & SONS 40. The impressive facade only gives us a glimpse of the extent of the premises. The next two buildings on the right (numbers 38 and 36 were also owned by the firm. 
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Damascene Compact Mirrors And Vanity Sets And Shinto Symbolism

Damascene Compact Mirrors And Vanity Sets And Shinto Symbolism

This post is dedicated to wonderful vintage Japanese vanities which are ornamented with deeply symbolic Shinto imagery. 

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Japanese Mother Of Pearl Vanity Set

Japanese Ama Divers & The Vanities Which Resulted From Their Work

Set atop the mother of pearl lid is a person pulling a rickshaw. One occupant of the rickshaw is holding a parasol. This scene depicted on the lid is possibly that of a bride and groom. Rickshaws are still used in Shinto weddings. Both the bride and groom are taken by this form of transport to the shrine. Japanese wedding ceremonies are usually attended by a small group of close family members who will walk to the shrine. Traditional Shinto weddings would often take place at a shrine which might be in the home town.

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