Skip to content

Modern London, 1888

October 4, 2014
by the gentle author

“The attention of our readers is now directed to the history of the rise and progress of leading business houses of London. We have endeavoured to give a review of those firms whose honourable dealings and straightforward methods, irrespective of the magnitude and class of their of operations, make them worthy of the mention they have received” – from Modern London, The World’s Metropolis, 1888

J G Ingram & Son, The London India Rubber Works, Hackney Wick – The business dates back in its foundation over forty years and was established originally by Mr Ingram in Hoxton, before – owing to its rapid development and the necessity for increased accommodation – the present factory was built fifteen years ago.

D H Evans & Co, Silk Mercers, Drapers & Outfitters, Oxford St Within a comparatively short period of time, this notable concern has developed, through the energy and perseverance of its proprietary, from one shop of average size to one of the largest drapery establishments in London.

John Ward, Patentee & Inventor of Invalid Chairs, Carriages etc, Tottenham Court RdThis notable business was formed upwards of a century and a half ago. Mr Ward is engaged in this very scientific industry upon a very extensive scale and his productions for the relief of the invalid are esteemed all over the world.

Charles Taylor, The Depository, Southwark, Opposite The Elephant & Castle – There are very few business establishments whose names are more familiar to the general public of London than the name of The Depository, as a monument to Mr Taylor’s vigorous ability and progressive spirit.

George Wright & Co, Billiard Table Manufacturers, Westminster Bridge Rd – During the time it has been in existence, this notable firm has led the way in inventions and improvements, thereby extending and improving the popularity of the game of billiards as a universal pastime for gentlemen.

Whittard, Crisp & Co, Leather & Hide Factory, Market St, Bermondsey – This is a house that occupies a very prominent position in the factoring trade of Bermondsey, and its name and commercial principles are well known and highly esteemed by a widespread circle of valuable connections.

Thorley & Co, Cattle Food Manufacturers, Caledonian Rd, Kings Cross – Thorley’s Cattle Food is the first production of its kind to achieve a recognised position among agriculturalists and must be regarded as one of the great discoveries of a period that has been particularly prolific in great inventions.

P B Cow & Co, Patentees & Manufacturers of India Rubber & Waterproof Fabrics, Cheapside – It is now about forty years since Mr Peter Brusey Cow succeeded Mr Mackintosh, the inventor of the remarkable waterproof garment, in the control of this gigantic commercial concern.

W Walker & Sons, Cabinet Manufacturers, Bunhill Row – The history of the firm dates back to 1848 when the concern was founded by Mr W Walker and during the whole of the forty years that has elapsed since then the growth of the business has been continuous. A visit to their superb showrooms in Bunhill Row will reveal the very acme of artistic achievement in this branch of the industry.

W H Willcox & Co, Manufacturers & Merchants in Engineers’, Mill & Railway Furnishings & Supplies, Southwark St – Founded fifteen years ago by Walter Henry Willcox, the firm are in a position to supply everything in the way of engineers’ requisites – from a bolt to a steam engine.

Robert Adams, Patentee, Manufacturer & Specialist in Improved Builders’ Ironmongery & Building Appliances, Newington Causeway – The business in question was established in 1870 and has acquired the most eminent reputation in the special departments of mechanical industry and hardware supply to which its undertakings apertain.

W Wilfred Head & Mark, News & General Printers, Lithographers & Engravers, Fleet Lane, Old Bailey – This eminent firm was founded upward of a quarter of a century ago and carried on business in Johnson’s Court, Fleet St,  taking the name ‘Dr Johnson Press’ which it still retains and under which it is widely known in the printing world.

Avern, Sons & Barris, Cork Merchants & Manufacturers, Minories – One of the principal house engaged in the great London Cork Trade, their corks obtained a medal in Paris in 1878 and find favour with bottlers all over the world.

Conrad W Schmidt, Varnish Manufacturer, Carpenters Rd, Stratford – There is probably no larger firm of varnish manufacturers in the United Kingdom or, for that matter, anywhere than that of Mr Conrad W Schmidt.

Grovers & Rockley, Musical Instrument Warehouse, The Grove, Stratford – This is the only establishment in the East End that embraces all departments in connection with the musical instrument trade. It was founded in the Kingsland Rd many years ago and was long since removed to its present location.

John Burgess & Son, Italian Warehousemen, Strand – Nowhere in London is the art of conservation, as practically applied to the preserving of certain classes of comestibles, more perfectly exemplified in some of its higher forms than at this famous old establishment at the corner of Savoy Steps.

Samuel Haskins & Brothers, Engineers, Manufacturers of Shop Fronts, Revolving Shutters Etc, Old St This eminently reputed house originated in the year 1784 under the auspices of the grandfather of the present principals and has been conducted uninterrupted from that day to this by members of its founder’s family.

S E Norris & Co, Curriers, Leather Merchants, Belting Manufacturers, Shadwell High St & St Paul’s Works – This notable concern is one of the oldest in the trade and first came into especial prominence as far back as 1775, and, in the character and quality of their curried leather, this firm takes rank with the first in the kingdom.

Images courtesy Bishopsgate Institute

12 Responses leave one →
  1. October 4, 2014

    I just love seeing these old buildings. How many survive? I see Willcox on Southwark street is half a shell covered in scaffolding. Is it being preserved?

  2. October 4, 2014

    All these businesses and the families (many immigrants,) who gave their all and ingenuity were the foundation of our wonderful country,the architecture and design of the buildings is superb and each one so completely different from the other.Would it be too expensive to assemble them in a book,perhaps with the similardrawings/photographs of the gas……that you reviewed a couple of days ago?I start my day reading your email.As you can see I make a hooly of my emails!.

  3. October 4, 2014

    ooh, now I found the Haskins building at 20 Old Street. Shame the signs didnt stay. It almost looks modern now…and twice the size. This business must have done well!

  4. Greg Tingey permalink
    October 4, 2014

    D H Evans are still with us, I think.
    As for the rest: “Where are the snows of yesteryear?”

  5. Jill permalink
    October 4, 2014

    Glory be! I’m related to the Crisps of Whittard Crisp Leather, great great grandfather William James Crisp was a leather factor and this business was owned by his brother Edward.

    Thankyou Gentle Author for this unexpected delight.

  6. October 4, 2014

    I want to go shopping in these stores, not the the same globalized businesses of today.

  7. Molasses permalink
    October 4, 2014

    Excellent – thank you!

    Are there any articles on how many of these business survived intact, or their histories?

  8. Carolyn Badcock - nee Hooper permalink
    October 5, 2014

    Lovely sketches of the scenes my grandfather, David W Hooper must have seen in his daily life the very year he left home and all loved ones to come to Australia. Scenes he never saw again from age 20.

    Still today, parents have young adult children crossing the world to live, forever more, in another land.

    Thanks, gentle author.

  9. Lawrence Crisp permalink
    October 5, 2014

    At long last the picture of the Whitard Crisp & Co confirms that my grandather W J Crisp may have worked here with his brother Edward. Many of the documents such as birth certs he signed as ‘Leather factor’ a trade he retire from and came to Sussex – then he signed documents as ‘man of means’.

  10. Pete permalink
    October 8, 2014

    The Willcox Engineers frontage looked just the same ,including the crane, ( albeit a little shabby looking and possibly derelict) in the 1970s and early 80s, I always noticed it when passing on the train from Charing Cross, over the same bridge in the pic !

  11. Dianne Anderson permalink
    June 16, 2016

    I love the old buildings, G J I NGRAM & SONS THE MAN IS MY G G Grandfather.

  12. Ron Bunting permalink
    August 10, 2019

    The Willcox building still stands although i suspect it is more facade than the actual building as it was 20 years ago. Graces guide has a little history on Mr Willcox ,his immediate family and the type of business he conducted.
    https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/W._H._Willcox_and_Co

Leave a Reply

Note: Comments may be edited. Your email address will never be published.

Subscribe to this comment feed via RSS