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Dear All

Trev very kindly helped me get some information yesterday on the silversmith, John Irving. Irving manufactured the silver for a vanity box by Fitzmaurice West. I am trying to research F. West and have only found the following...if indeed the following is correct:

West established his business in 1839, but took over the business of George Palmer in 1844 at 1 St James's Street. He was based there until 1877 where then he moved to 2 St James's Street, and then in 1883 to King Street (does anyone know which King Street?).

Might anyone know if West was working with Palmer prior to 1844 hence why he took over the business at the same address. Also, can anyone confirm if the above information is correct?

Many thanks to anyone who can help

Here's an advertisement for Fitzmaurice West from 1848:


F. West - London - 1848

Trev.

This advertisement from 1840 shows that Fitzmaurice West was already at 1, St. James's Street by that date:


F. West - London - 1840

Trev.

(does anyone know which King Street?)

The 1884 Post Office London Directory gives his address as 9 King Street, St James, SW and his business as "dressing case manufacturer".

Your 1839 start date seems right as he is not listed in the 1838 directory, but is in the 1839 directory at 1 St James's Street as "Cutler to Her Majesty".

Phil

I wonder if it was the case (no pun intended), that Fitzmaurice West was a ex-employee of George Palmer, who, after setting up on his own account in 1839, then shared premises with his former employer for a number of years? This would account for both persons being listed at the 1, St. James's Street premises in the early years of the 1840's.

I've noted such arrangements occurring before with silversmiths and their former apprentices for their mutual benefit.

If this is correct, then perhaps West finally took over Palmer's side of the business in 1844.

Trev.

Dear Trev and Phil

Thank you so much for your responses, I really do appreciate your time.

West's adverts do say 'Late Palmer' which should indicate that he took over the business at that address.

Trev, your advert from 1840 does indeed prove that he was at that address in his own right at that time, so maybe the date of 1844 is simply a mistake.

This has been so useful and, indeed, fascinating.

I note that in 1842 George Palmer is listed as Cutler to Queen Adelaide.

I have always been of the mind that term 'late' indicated past employment.

Trev.

Hi Trev, I think you must be correct on the past employment reference.
On your 1842 Palmer reference, was he still noted as being at the 1 St James’s Street address ?

He was. I noted it in: The British Imperial Calendar - 1842

Trev.

Interesting. So they must have run their separate businesses from that same address.