29 Stall Street, Bath, Somerset. Watchmaker /Jewellers Shop
I have copied this image of a Jeweller and Silversmiths shop from another post on the Forum.
The picture proclaims “H&R Marsh” is the owner of this shop but the date of the image is unknown. I also have this image of a fork with the same branding so apparently retailed by the same Bath concern, but again of no obvious dating potential.
Kelly's Directory of Somerset for 1919 does place, Marsh, H. & R., jewellers at 29 Stall Street, Bath.
The entry in the 1911 Post Office Bath Directory, matches better with the shop front, 29, Stall Street “watchmakers, jewellers and antique dealers” and identifies that “Marsh, Horace Henry” and “Marsh F. Reginald” could possibly be trading as H. H. & F. R. Marsh and maybe later as H&R Marsh. Listings below.
Marsh H. H. & F. R., watchmakers, jewellers and antique dealers, 29, Stall Street (Tel. 2yi)
Marsh F. Reginald (H. H. & F. R. Marsh), 29, Stall Street
Marsh Horace Henry (H. H. & F. R. Marsh), 29, Stall Street.; residence, 36, Gay Street
A difference between 1911 and 1902 directory entries could be informative regarding personnel.
............Post Office Bath Directory, 1902
............................Marsh, H. & F. R., watchmakers, jewellers and opticians, 29, stall street
............................Marsh, Frederick R. (H. & F. R. Marsh}, 29, Stall Street
............................Marsh, Henry, 29, Stall Street
............................Marsh, Horace H. (H. & F. R. Marsh}, 29, Stall Street
The firm appeared then to be, "H. & F. R Marsh" and there is an extra "Henry Marsh" listed. My speculation, but could this be a father and son firm first and later 2 brothers.
Another name was also associated with 29 Stall Street in the 1902 directory though, as there was a “Olds William G. & Co., watchmakers, &c.”. Additionally Olds W. G. & Co., was also at 29 Stall Street in the Bath Jewellers listing. Do we have 2 different concerns sharing 29 Stall Street or could family “Marsh” have been part of Olds William G. & Co.?
There was no "Marsh" at 29 Stall Street in 1897 or 1895, but a William Greenslade Olds was there. In 1884-85 William was still there as part of a Charles Olds & Son concern, but it was just Charles Olds in 1876-77.
.............Kelly's Directory of Somerset, 1897
.........................Olds William Greenslade, watch maker 29 Stall Street
............Post Office Bath Directory, 1895
........................Olds William Greenslade, watchmaker and jeweller, 29, Stall Street
............Post Office Bath Directory, 1884-85
........................Olds Charles & Son, watchmakers and jewellers, 29, Stall Street,
........................Olds William Greenslade (Olds & Son), 29, Stall Street
............Post Office Bath Directory, 1876-77
........................Olds Charles, watchmaker, and jeweller, 29, Stall Street
In 1864-5 Charles Olds was at 24 New Bond Street, though in earliest directory listing I found for him, 1842, he was at 22 New Bond Street
...........Post Office Bath Directory, 1864-65
.......................Olds Charles, watchmaker, jeweller, &c., 24, New Bond Street
...........Slater's Directory of Berks, Corn, Devon ..., 1852-53
.......................Olds Charles, watch and clock maker, 24 New Bond St.
...........Bath Directory, 1846
.......................Olds Charles, watchmaker and jeweller, 24, New Bond St.
...........Pigot & Co.'s Directory of Derbys, Dorset ..., 1842
......................Old Charles, watch and clock maker, 22 New Bond St
It is likely the concern started in the previous decade if this ring box silk pictured can be believed, as H&R Marsh proclaim “Established 1835”.
H&R Marsh did last, at least, well into the 20th Century and were silversmiths (as indicated on the shop front), registering their mark with the Birmingham Assay Office with just fob medals, noted for the period 1913 to 1931. I assume they retailed this Sterling silver Boar War sweetheart pin broach circa 1900.
[The "PA" indicates "Prince Alberts" Somerset Light Infantry.]
Fishless