Skidmore's Art Manufactures and Constructive Iron Co
formerly Skidmore's Art Manufactures Co
See Francis Skidmore
1861 'Skidmore's Art Manufactures Company, works in iron, precious and other metals, glass, tapestry, furniture, upholstery, carpets, and photographs, Alma street'[2]
1865 Buxton Memorial Fountain (London): '.... The spire, which is richly crocketed at the angles, is surmounted by a beautiful ornamental cross. Instead of slates or lead, iron plaques were used in covering the roof. This new feature was introduced by the Skidmore Art Manufacture and Constructive Iron Company, the iron being moulded into raised patterns, to which permanent colour is imparted by an enamelling process. The fountain was renovated in 1902. ...'[3]. Note: The Buxton Memorial Fountain commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, and in particular, the role of British parliamentarians in the abolition campaign. It was originally located in Parliament Square, but as part of the postwar redesign of the square it was removed in 1949 and not reinstated in its present position in Victoria Tower Gardens until 1957.[4]
1877 Company liquidated. '...Liquidation by Arrangement or Composition with Creditors, instituted by Charles Digby Roberts, of Alma-street, Coventry, in the county of Warwick, Metal Worker and Bicycle Manufacturer, carrying on business under the style of the Skidmore's Art Manufactures and Constructive Iron Company, lately carrying on the same business, at the same place, under the same style, in partnership with William Edward Wyatt...'[5]
1879 Advert: 'R. W. WINFIELD & CO., CAMBRIDGE STREET WORKS and ROLLING MILLS, BIRMINGHAM.
Grand Council Medal, London, 1851 ; Gold Medal, London, 1862; Gold Medal, Paris, 1867; Medal, Dem Fortschritte, Vienna, 1873.
Awarded at the Paris Exhibition, 1878:-
GOLD MEDAL for Chandeliers and Gas Fittings; GOLD MEDAL (Rappel) for Art Metal Work MANUFACTURERS OF BRASS & COPPER SHEETS, TUBE & WIRE, GAS FITTINGS, CHANDELIERS, AND METALLIC BEDSTEADS. General Brassfounders, and Ecclesiastical and Mediaeval Metal Workers.
CONSTRUCTIVE METAL WORK.
PROPRIETORS OF SKIDMORES ART METAL COMPANY, COVENTRY,
Which business is now carried on at the Cambridge Street Works, Birmingham.'[6]
1922 'On another page of this paper Messrs. Edwards, Son, and Bigwood, the well-known auctioneers, of Birmingham, announce that they are instructed by the Dunlop Company to sell their works on the Spittlemoor Estate, the firm having removed the business to Foleshill. One of the works to be sold is the place where Skidmore's Art Metal business was carried on for many years. Half a century ago, and for some time before that, there was no name better known in all the city and the neighbourhood than that of Frank Skidmore. It was something of a distinction to be employed by him upon artistic productions like the metal work the Albert Memorial in London. the great screen of Hereford Cathedral, and similar productions, or upon work of the character represented by the gas standards in our Cathedral and in Holy Trinity Church. If only a boy of the "gift" schools could secure an apprenticeship at Skidmore's his future was regarded as safe. In those days it was something of a spectacle to see Skidmore's people come trooping out at meal times. They filled the adjacent streets. And when work was to be resumed the bell, insisting in almost spoken language that it was time to " come—to work, come—to work." proclaimed the hour to half the town. Skidmore's bell was as reliable a timekeeper, and as much depended on, as the church clock, and that at a time, too, when in an inquiry as to the time, it was always stipulated that it must be "by the church."
When the metal works passed away the bicycle trade sprang up,and "Singerses" went into occupation of this great factory. Soon afterwards, on a piece of waste land opposite, a big building was erected for a skating rink, the craze for roller skating being then at its height. But the demand for the rink did not last, and when the new building fell vacant Singers took it over as a supplementary works and store, for their business had grown enormously. ..... Singers continued to use the two buildings for some years, but business pressure was so great that new works had to be sought. This was at the time when Mr. Singer bought the Palace Yard, in Earl Street, with the view of clearing the site and erecting new factories there: but he was restrained by public opinion, that idea was abandoned, the present works in Canterbury Street were built, and the Dunlop Company succeeded to the former works of Skidmore and to the rink. Both places were adapted to business on the most modern lines, and through the whirligig of events both are now to be offered for sale.'[7]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] Alicia Robinson, "Collaborations Between Scott and Skidmore", British Art Studies, Issue 5, https://doi.org/10.17658/issn.2058-5462/issue-05/arobinson
- ↑ Coventry Times - Wednesday 03 July 1861
- ↑ Tower Hamlets Independent and East End Local Advertiser - Saturday 19 March 1904
- ↑ [2] Wikipedia
- ↑ [3] Gazette Issue 24439 published on the 30 March 1877. Page 55 of 68
- ↑ Lloyd's List - Monday 12 May 1879
- ↑ Coventry Standard - Saturday 14 October 1922