James Newman
James Newman Ltd, Artists’ colourmen.
of Gerrard St, London (1785-1801),
of 24 Soho Square (1801-1937)
of 33 Soho Square (1937-1938)
of 6 Great Marlborough St (1938-1940)
of 178 Kensington High St, W8 (1941-1959).
Factory in George Yard, rear of Soho Square (1800-1937).
James Newman (c.1757-1835) succeeded Lawrence Smith of Princes St, who was possibly his grandfather. Newman was a brushmaker, hair pencil maker and dealer in colours and soon gained a reputation for his water colours.
By 1831 James Newman, his son, age 26, was recorded as a colourman, as was Richard Newman, age 19. They tool over the business at Soho Square
1849 The partnership between James Newman and Richard William Newman, trading as James Newman at 24 Soho Square, was dissolved on 31 December 1849.
Newman’s products were stocked around the country and abroad.
By the end of the 19th century W.F. Mills was described as Newman's 'present proprietor' in a book on the history of Soho.
1916 Five firms, including Winsor and Newton, George Rowney and Co, Reeves and Sons, James Newman and C. Roberson, acting together as Associated Colour Merchants, signed an agreement in 1916 with J. Barcham Green and Son to produce a range of papers, watermarked ‘A.C.M.’ and the words ‘Watercolour Paper England’.
The business was carried on as a partnership between Edward Frederick Chapman (b.1857) and Charles Osborn Cooper (1869-1943) until this partnership was dissolved in 1933 and the business reconfigured as James Newman Ltd.
1934 Newman’s advertised that they had been supplying various artists for over 150 years, including, amongst others Constable, Cotman, David Cox, Creswick, Crome, De Wint, Etty, Copley Fielding, Hoppner, Pugin, Turner and Varley.
1936 Purchased by Reeves and Sons but its identity was retained
1937 Moved from 24 Soho Square when the building was demolished
1938 Moved again to allow for expansion
By 1941 the business was trading from Reeves’s premises at 178 Kensington High St.
The firm held royal appointments to Edward VII 1901-10, George V 1921-4 and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother 1950.
See Also
- [1] National Portrait Gallery