T & J. BRAGG Ltd. |
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Slater's Directory of Birmingham 1852-1853 gives: Thomas Perry Bragg, Jeweller, 18, Vittoria Street, Birmingham. Then White's Directory of Birmingham 1855 lists: Thomas & John Bragg, Jewellers at the same address. The Kelly's Directory for 1868 gives them as T & J. Bragg with the same address in Birmingham and also at: 22, John St, Bedford Row, London, W.C. By 1883 their title changed to T & J. Bragg Ltd. and are still at the same Birmingham address but with a change of London address: 15, Thavie's Inn, Holborn, London, E.C. Then by 1890 they moved to: 55 & 57, Vittoria Street, Birmingham. This remained the same until at least 1915 but by 1919 they had moved to 11, Pitsford Street, Birmingham. The 1940 entry gives: Harford Works, Harford Street, Birmingham.
They would seem to have been the first choice by the Primrose League to produce their regalia and they continued to supply items long after W.O.Lewis appeared on the scene. The signatures that appears on their Primrose League products is either 'T & J B' with, below this, a three triangle symbol  or just the symbol on it's own. The latest item produced by Bragg for the Primrose League, so far recorded, is a 1914/1918 Loyalty Badge. |
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W.O.LEWIS (Badges) Ltd. |
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William Osbourne Lewis, Goldsmith, Jeweller and Medallist, continued from 1874, the business of James William Lewis at 37, Howard Street. Birmingham and designated these premises as 'Howard Works'. The firm stayed with this name until 1920 when a new proprietor is recorded as Randolph Shirley Lewis. Thenceforth the business has been run under the style 'W.O.Lewis (Badges) Ltd' and this company title has been maintained to the present date (2006).
Earlier Primrose League products by Lewis are signed 'W.O.Lewis Birmm' and 'W.O.Lewis Howard St Birmm and later signatures are 'W.O.Lewis (Badges) Ltd Birmingham' and 'W.O.Lewis "Badges" Ltd Birmm'. The earliest item, so far encountered, produced for the Primrose League by Lewis is dated 1890 and therefore this would indicate that both Bragg and Lewis were conjointly supplying the needs of the Primrose League for almost thirty years. |
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HENRY LEWIS & Co. |
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Henry Lewis is recorded at 7, New Bond Street. London from 1876 - 79 and then as Henry Lewis & Co. (Ltd in 1898 only) at 172, New Bond Street. London from 1880 - 98. This company continued as Henry Lewis & Co. at 109, Mount Street. London from 1899 - 1901 and then just as Henry Lewis at the same address from 1902 - 12.
This entry is now included due to the acquisition of two badges bearing reference to this company. It is possible that this Lewis was only the designer and/or retailer of these badges and not the maker. It is not known if there are any ties between the above mentioned W.O.Lewis and H.Lewis. |
Extract from:-
Kelly's Post Office Directory for London. 1902.
'New Bond Street' page. |
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Barnet Henry Joseph. |
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| The makers mark: B.H.J.on Jewel reference 54 caused a great deal of head scratching, but after many hours of searching in the most likely areas of manufacture, Birmingham and London, the maker has possibly been identified as: Barnet Henry Joseph & Co., Jewellers of ( - 1883 - 1899) 20, Frederick Street, Birmingham. Their address changed (1900 - 1915 -) to 18, 19 & 20, Frederick Street. By 1940 they ceased to be listed. |
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Vaughton Birm. |
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This company was founded by Philip Vaughton, a gold key and seal maker and later called a working jeweller C. 1832. From 1880-1901 his address was 194, then 193, Great Hampton Row. Birmingham. Although various members of his family, including his sons, joined the firm the signature of Vaughton Birm., on his products would appear to have remained the same and used until at least 1915. |
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Anonymous. |
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A few Primrose League items carry no 'Makers Marks' and can not be attributed to either Bragg, Joseph, Vaughton or the Lewis' by die links. In the very unlikely event that the Maker or Makers can be found, this entry will be altered. |
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