Topic: H.W. and L. Dee, London.

[LinzC]

I noticed there are a few designs registered by this company in Raymond Slack's book but couldn't see anything on the message board about them.

Aberdeen archives, gallery and museums state

H.W. and L. Dee
London, England, 1827 - 1884
This interesting firm, usually listed as working jewellers or wholesale working jewellers, appears to have been established c. 1827 by Thomas William Dee (c.1792-1869) and John Fargues at 8 Sherrard Street, Golden Square, Soho. Fargues seems to have left the partnership c.1851 after which T.W. Dee continued at first alone at 8 Sherrard Street and from c.1854 with Henry William Dee trading as Thomas William Dee & Son. Another of T.W. Dee's sons, Louis Dee joined c. 1859 after which the business was restyled Thomas William Dee & Sons. Their address was changed in 1862 to 8 Sherwood Street, Golden Square . The firm's name was changed to H.W. and L. Dee following T.W. Dee's retirement on 31st March 1867 at which time they were described as jewellers and silversmiths, H.W. Dee retired. Louis Dee thereafter remained in control of the business until his death aged 52 on 23rd August 1884, leaving an estate of £36, 681 17 8d. In his will he left instructions that the patterns and tools in his custody relating to 'collar and badge work' be offered at a nominal £3 to James Mortimer Garrard of R. and S. Garrard & Co. He also mentioned his designer, Thomas Reeves; his clerks, Thomas Barys Jenkins and Richard Eve; and his friends, Henry Cannon senior, an engraver of 95 St. George's Road, Camberwell, and Alfred Clark, the retail goldsmith and jeweller of Old Bond Street, W. Dee's business was assigned, on 22nd December 1884 to Leuchar's & Son, dressing case makers, stationers and silversmiths of 38 and 39 Piccadilly, W, who were in turn assigned to Asprey & Co on 2nd August 1888.

Raymond Slack lists H.W. and L. Dee as registering eight designs between 1868-79 and with the description from the national archive (if available online) they are as follows

Date registered	Parcel No.	Design No.	tNA description
13/10/1868	5	222546	toilette bottle
31/03/1869	2	228286	not given
31/03/1869	2	228287	not given
04/11/1870	7	246924	time piece and other uses
21/03/1878	6	319599	not given
28/06/1878	10	322947	not given
14/05/1879	3	335175	napkin ring
17/11/1879	9	342941	Ball flower stand and menu holder

There are an abundance of design registrations by them under metalware. Some of which are glass decanters with silver mounts, such as this one at Bonhams. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17930/lot/322/

This isn't my area of interest but thought it worth recording what I found out from a quick look this morning.

[Paul S.]

Interesting  -  the absence of postings on the GMB would seem to indicate they haven't been of interest to others either.          I've had a look at the TNA Register for the dates of each Registration you show, and can confirm as you've said that of these eight designs only four are provided with a description  -  fortunately, the Representations Books provide pix so we know what the other designs looks like - (I say that having only got as far as the third item so far  -  be just my luck that I don't have pix of the others, but fingers crossed).       I'll try and post pix later today.

It's a possibility that Dee didn't import glass, and their activities perhaps centred around making adornments or whatever for home grown glass items only - though we don't know that for certain  -  it's just that for those Companies/wholesalers who did import glass into the U.K. there is some information posted on the board.

On the face of it - though you'd think it unlikely -  the absence of any of Dee's Registered designs appearing on the Board might conceivably suggest that one or more may never have been produced commercially.

thanks Lindsey. 

[Paul S.]

ah well, spoke too quickly ........   Unfortunately, I have pix of only five of these eight designs .........    222546, 228286, 228287, 246924 and 335175 - as attached.         Since there are five then the final picture flips to the next post.
Of course, if anyone has images of the missing three, then add them by all means.

As for the goblet and epergne, they do have a rather impracticable look about them  -  perhaps they never did see the light of day.          I appreciate the Reg. No. is missing from the drawing for 222546 for the toilet bottle, but I do have another copy of this drawing that does show the No., so there's no doubt about which piece we're speaking.          The napkin ring appears almost as an afterthought on the drawing (down to the left), so ignore the plate or whatever the other design is. 

[Paul S.]

final picture for Dee Reg. 335175 ........

[LinzC]

Oh wow - I wasn't expecting to see those.  Thanks Paul. 

[Paul S.]

glad you're pleasantly surprised  -  invoice to follow