P. D. Rasspe Sons

January 1906.

of Solingen, Germany.

How it all started. 'Take, again, the case of P. D. Rasspe and Sons, Limited, a Company first registered in 1911 and formed for the purpose of taking over the business of James Pollock, Sons and Co., Ltd., Agricultural Implement Makers, of Windmill Lane, Stratford, E., a useful sort of enterprise, which might just as well have remained in British hands. Instead, we find that, according to a return filed as recently as last December (1915), all the shareholders of P. D. Rasspe and Sons, Ltd., except one, were resident at Solingen, Germany, the solitary exception being Mr. George W. King, of 94, Aldborough Road, Ilford, with five £1 shares to his British name. Let it not be inferred, however, that Mr. George King is an inconsiderable figure in the world of commerce. His association with Messrs. P. D. Rasspe and Sons forms but a small part of his title to fame. On September 1st, 1914 - less than a month after the outbreak of war - was registered the firm of George W. King, Limited, also of Windmill Lane, Stratford, E., and likewise engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements for British farmers. Whatever may be said or thought of the Rasspes of Solingen, no possible suspicion can attach to George W. King, Ltd. The title is the very quintessence of British patriotism. On the lists of Directors and Shareholders there is not a name of alien tinge. On the bluff and hearty sample envelopes of the firm the legend, "George W. King, Limited, Windmill Lane, Stratford, London, E.," boldly Printed on a neat green label, looks frank, bold and British. But if the label should happen to come unstuck, it will be found to have concealed the style and title of "P. D. Rasspe and Sons, Ltd.," from which a Board of Trade Inspector might possibly infer that Messrs. George W. King, Ltd., having run out of envelopes, had taken momentary advantage of the coincidence by which two firms of agricultural implement makers were established at the same address.'

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