Topic: Hugo Masey / Maisey, the Webb & Corbett decorator

[Bernard C]

The two obvious heavyweight references give different spellings for this innovative Webb & Corbett decorator.

Ellis, Jason, Glassmakers of Stourbridge and Dudley 1612-2002 refers to Hugo Maisey.

Hajdamach, Charles, 20th Century British Glass refers to Hugo Masey.

Does anyone know for certain which spelling is correct, or even if both spellings are correct?   I can't think of an explanation for the latter, but my lack of imagination is no reason to exclude it as a possibility.

Bernard C. 

[David E]

It would appear that Charles gets the nod, based solely on a Google search. Here, quite a few independent sources use that spelling. Of course, it could also mean they're all referring to Charles' book...   

But as Black Country History (based on the archives from four libraries) uses the name spelt as such, this would appear to add some credence to MASEY as the correct spelling.

[Bernard C]

David — thanks for considering this and giving us your opinion.   I can't help but agree with you, but it still leaves me worried.

The earliest Masey I found was in BGbtW, 1987.   All of the other Masey spellings are in that Broadfield House group of references, and could originate from BGbtW or from Dodsworth's original source.   Ellis lists BGbtW in his bibliography, so he must have seen the Masey spelling.   His book is about the people who made the glass, and so the names must have been checked over and over again as one of the most important aspects of the work.   Why did he change the spelling?

Bernard C. 

[David E]

Perhaps then it's a case of one person reading it wrong, and everyone else following? I would be surprised if Jason Ellis did get it wrong (not inconceivable that it was a simple type though) but equally Charles is not prone to errors either. My lot still falls with what the Archives state.

[Frank]

Names get spelled differently until relatively recent times and this can even extend to birth, death and marriage records of the same person. A good example being the Isart family who became Ysart as a result of an anonymous UK immigration officer.

[David E]

My own name probably got mangled at some stage! It also used to be Eincill before WWI

BTW, Bernard, just a small correction:

The two obvious heavyweight references give different spellings for this innovative Webb & Corbett decorator.

It is simply Webb Corbett (no &)

[Bernard C]

...   just a small correction:  It is simply Webb Corbett (no &)

David — in 1952 Thomas Webb & Corbett Ltd changed name to Webb Corbett Ltd.   So anything wholly and definitely pre-1952, like the subject of this topic, should always be Webb & Corbett.   Anything that is both before and after, after the change of name, or when you are unsure should usually be Webb Corbett.   The context will help determine which is appropriate.   So I disagree with you.   Note that I was particularly careful to get it correct when starting this topic — attempting to set a good example.

Bernard C. 

[David E]

Thanks for correcting me - for anyone else a potted history of W&C is on Grace's Guide

[keith]

A piece by Mr Masey, however you spell his name....

[Glyn]

I can verify the spelling is Masey, I know this because he signed a picture he drew in my Grandmother's scrapbook, she was a glass decorator that worked for him.