Match Striker Gallery (Retailers Marks)

Retailers Marks

Some match strikers carry a retailers mark. This could be because the retailer specifically commissioned a piece for their business (the mark may contain the phrase "made for" or something similar), or a retailer might mark any item they stocked to advertise the business, prevent theft etc.

The retailers mark also lets the collector investigate who sold a particular match striker. The answers to questions like "What did they sell ?", "What was their history ?" and "Are they still in business today ?" can be fascinating (or frustrating where you find no additional information).

Bacon Bros, Cambridge

Bacon Brothers was a tobacconist and tobacco manufacturer (they have records in the Cambridge County Records Office). In about 1851 they were one of the first two tobacconists in England to begin stocking pre-made cigarettes. The business ran for over 100 years before closing. Two different retailers marks can be seen below. It is not clear why the date the business was established differs between the two.

J. E. Beale, Bournemouth

This Bournemouth retailer commissioned at least one match striker from Wiltshaw & Robinson. J E Beale still exists today, based in Bournemouth and operating a group of 11 department stores. The group firm has been in existence since at least 1921, and during WWII it's flagship store was destroyed by a German bomb in 1943 and subsequently rebuilt

J.A. Campbell, 64 Royal Avenue, Belfast

This retailers name is known from a number of different items advertising Dunville's Three Crowns Special Liqueur Whisky, as well as other brands and it is probable that the firm was a sales agent for that brand (as opposed to a manufacturer of advertising ware). The firm later traded as J.A. Campbell & Son and the 1907 Belfast Business Directory includes the following entry: "CAMPBELL, J. A., & SON, Manufacturers of Tin Showcards, Enamelled Iron Plates, Advertising Novelties, and Insurance Agents, 64 Royal Avenue".

Cole & Son, Manchester

I can find no information on this retailer. Can you help ?

George Cooke & Co

This firm was an Cigar Merchants, operating from the High Street, Oxford from at least 1899 to 1939 with shops at Number 56 (1899-1903), Number 49 (1904-1939) and Number 60 (1918-1931). The information on the shop locations have been taken from the Oxford High Street website of Stephanie Jenkins which provides photographs of all the buildings on the street, together with information on their occupants throughout the year.

NOTE the retailers mark shown here is only partially complete

Crisp & Co, Cambridge

I can find little information on this business which operated from 16 Kings Parade, Cambridge. However it is recorded that they supplied (as usual) the wooden spoons presented to those with the lowest mathematics tripos (exam) scores in 1901. They are also recorded as having retailed wooden mounted heraldic college shields.

Alfred Dunn

Little information can be found about this retailer however they may have been a China Merchant. Auction records exist of a part Limoges desert service stamped "Made for Alfred Dunn, Derby House, 6 New Street, Birmingham", as well as soup plates marked Alfred Dunn, Birmingham.

Fribourg & Treyer, Oxford

A.M. Greatbatch, Oxford

James Green & Nephew, London

This firm were a retailer and manufacturer of advertising ware in London and later Stoke and Hanley. A registered design for a Dunville's VR Whisky decanter establishes that the firm was involved in manufacturing in 1932. They also sold other factories work as records exist of them commissioning decanters from Copeland (Spode) and the retailers mark shown below is on a Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee commemorative match striker made by MacIntyre & Co.

The firm may still be in business today as a James Green & Nephew Ltd runs a Pottery & Wholesale Ceramics business in London today.

Alex Jones & Co, London

The business operated from 154 Regent Street, London. Auction records indicate they also sold picture frames. I can find no other information, can you help ?

L.M. & S. Hotels

This mark does not identify a retailer, but does identify the company the match striker was made for the hotels of the London, Midland . & Scottish Railway group which was one of four rail groups created in 1923 by bringing together smaller independent railway businesses. The L.M. & S lasted until 1948 when the four large rail groups were merged to form British Railways.

Colin Lunn, Cambridge & Oxford

Colin Lunn was family Tobacconist firm. They referred to themselves as Cigar Importers and Cigarette Merchants. All the male members of the family had the middle name, Colin. It was probably established around 1870 and operated from shops in Cambridge (at various times; 3 Bridge Street, 15 & 19 King's Parade, Sidney Street & 31 Trinity Street) and Oxford (at various times; 52 St Gile's Street, 1, 22 & 23 High Street). The business finally close in 1990, the last of the old University Tobacconists.

Matthew & Son Ltd, Cambridge

This retailers mark appears to refer to Matthew & Son Ltd; Grocers, Wine Merchant etc of 19-21 Trinity Street, Cambridge (some of their records are in the Cambridge County Records Office). One of their employees is listed as having died in WWI, and the business was still running in 1953 when they supplied food for a coronation party in the village of Hardwick near Cambridge.

Stephanus P. Ora, Cambridge & Oxford

These marks are those of Stephanus P. Ora who had a tobacconist shop at 1 George Street, Oxford (1914/15) as well as a branch on Kings Parade, Cambridge where it appears he lived (Many thanks to Stephanie Jenkins for figuring this one out)

Richard Patterson & Co, Belfast

This retailers name is known from a number of different items advertising Dunville's VR Whisky and it is probable that the firm was a sales agent for that brand (as opposed to a manufacturer of advertising ware as the items are as diverse as match strikers and metal pub trays).

Raphael Tuck & Sons

The firm was founded by Raphael Tuck who arrived in England with his family from Prussia in 1865. He first opened a furniture and picture framing shop, but when his three sons joined the firm in 1870the picture side of the business expanded into importing and publishing. The firm is most well known for the postcards they published. They obviously also commissioned adverting match strikers from which these retailers marks are taken (thanks to Paul Broomfield for the pictures and permission to use it on the website)

Rushers, Wallingford

I can find no information on this retailer. Can you help ?

Steele & Co Ltd

I can find no information on this retailer other than that they were in business in Birmingham. Can you
help ?

Francis Twining

Francis Twining was born in Oxford in 1848. He opened his first Grocers shop in 1871. Later his brother Ernest joined him in partnership and eventually they had seven shops across Oxford. He served as a Councilor and Alderman for 50 years then became Mayor of Oxford in 1905, and finally died in 1929. Two of the shops were at 46 High Street, Oxford (1898-1904) and 83-34 High Street, Oxford (1991-1939).

Wattersley Bros, Cambridge

I can find no information on this retailer. Can you help ?

E. Yalden, Winchester

I can find no information on this retailer. Can you Help ?