Adie & Lovekin Adie & Lovekin Limited ?

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1 Adie & Lovekin Adie & Lovekin Limited ? In 1884 the first property in the block, known as 43 Vittoria Street, had been partially let. It was occupied by Edward and Thomas Smith & Co. and Henry and William Haddleton. Then by 1888 Adie and Lovekin Silversmiths had let another part of the building and were located at 43 Vittoria Street. 43 Vittoria Street was split, as the Rate Assessment Books specified, into Offices, Warehouses, Shopping and Premises at first and second floor levels and then Offices and Premises on the ground floor and this is the only part of the block that we can truly say was let into fully flatted units. It had the narrowest of the rear workshop shopping ranges. Source: Nexus Report Adie and Lovekin Ltd made unique silver items during the late Victorian and Edwardian Art Nouveau era. Items included button hooks, pin cushions their speciality being animal shaped novelty pin cushions in the form of pigs, swans, elephants and even camels. They also made babies rattles, bookmarks, nurses buckles and other novelty silver items Listed Exhibitor. Manufacturers of Silver Rattles, Silver and Enamel Brooches, Scotch Pebble Brooches, Butter Knives, Forks and Spoons, Serviette Rings, Peppers and Salts, Shingle Sets, Manicure Sets and various Silver Novelties. Birmingham Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association Member. (Stand Nos. J.43 and J.54) Source: Grace s Guide to British Industrial History 2016 by Grace's Guide Ltd The Company was made up of James Adie ( ) and Alfred Lovekin ( ) who started their business c1863 (as per Kelly s 1888 Directory) in Birmingham Adie & Lovekin appear to have first traded from 157 Hockley Hill. In 1866 they were advertising for an Engraver, used to the Silver Brooch Trade. Birmingham Daily Gazette 7 Feb Morris Commercial Directory Morris 1866 Commercial Directory had listed them as Adie and Lorekin. Obviously a printing error. We can get an impression of the Hockley Hill premises from the To be Let advertisement in the Birmingham Journal 29 August 1857 extensive SHOPPING

2 Alfred Lovekin had taken some silver for melting to the premises of Mr. Bassett, metal dealer, James Street. Mr. Bassett allowed one of his employees, John Walton, to melt silver for silversmiths. It appears John Walton was not returning all the melted silver. Birmingham Daily Post 17 February 1871 John Walton, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour. In November 1871, Infringement of a Patent - James Manton paid a fine of 5 for an infringement of a patent registered by Adie & Lovekin. The reports inform us that Adie & Lovekin registered their Ribbon Pattern Border in April Birmingham Daily Mail 8 November 1871 Mr. J. Manton, silversmith, Great Hampton Street. Infringement of a patent registered by Adie & Lovekin, silversmiths, Hockley Hill. Birmingham Daily Post 2 November 1871 The National Archives has a registered design (No ) for Adie & Lovekin, 157 Hockley Hill, for a Brooch, dated 22 April (Reference BT 43/27/240805) This is most likely the item referred to in the newspaper report above.

3 1872 Kelly s Directory Birmingham Daily Post 17 July White s Directory Listed under Silversmiths By 1876 Adie & Lovekin are in Regent Street, as silversmiths and jewellers 1876 Kelly s Directory Adie & Lovekin Registered May 1879 Source: WAGES DISPUTE. Action brought against Adie and Lovekin, jewellers, of Regent Street Alfred Blandy, was a journeyman jeweller, who was employed as a pieceworker. Adie & Lovekin proposed a reduction of prices, due to the fluctuations in trade, and at the end of the month paid for the piecework according to how the company had fared. The judge found for the plaintiff as it wasn t proved that a contract existed where the price for work was fixed after the work was completed. Birmingham Daily Post 13 December 1879 Kelly s Directory 1880

4 The Birmingham Daily Post 24 July 1880 reported: Action for Assault: Levetus v. Adie. This concerned an assault upon Hymen Levetus by Alfred Lovekin, of Adie & Lovekin. Alfred Adie had admitted the assault but denied Hymen Levetus had suffered any damage and therefore Adie had paid 10 10s to the Court. It seems that Levetus was perhaps slightly underhand in employing one of Adie & Lovekin s employees, so he might learn the tricks of the trade. Guilty of most untradesmanlike conduct in seducing from Mr. Lovekin s employment skilled servants, to communicate to him the trade secrets, skill and experience, which had taken Mr. Lovekin many years to acquire. The business premises of both parties were not far from each other. From the Nexus Report we know the following regarding Levetus Brothers. They were first recorded at Canada Works on 24th March 1880 (BT 43/46/347908). Apply after 12, Canada Works Vittoria Street. According to Kelly s 1880 Directory, Adie & Lovekin, are in Regent Street.

5 The Case was continued and the conclusion reported 26 July 1880 in The Birmingham Post.

6 Levetus even had his premises fitted up like the defendant s. These would be the newly occupied premises owned by W.G. Court. The amount paid into Court by Adie, was considered by the Jury as ample compensation for damages for the assault. The National Archives has a registered design for a Brooch (No ) for James Adie & Alfred Lovekin at 2 ½ Regent Street dated 12 December (Reference BT 44/5/ )

7 The first mention I have found of Adie & Lovekin at 43 Vittoria Street is in the Kelly s Directory for Kelly s Directory Vittoria Street But also in Kelly s Directory for 1884, Adie & Lovekin, Silversmiths, are at 1 Regent Street. So the possibility is they were operating simultaneously from Vittoria Street (albeit for a short time) and Regent Street. Kelly s Directory 1884 Then by 1888 Adie and Lovekin Silversmiths had let another part of the building and were located at 43 Vittoria Street. Source: Nexus Report. Vittoria Street in the 1888 Kelly s Directory has the following: No mention of 43 Vittoria Street being occupied. John Dillon, 24, hawker, charged with stealing scrap iron from Messrs. Adie and Lovekin, Vittoria Street. Birmingham Daily Post 11 September 1885 John Dillon was sentenced to 6 calendar months with hard labour and 1 year s Police Supervision. Prior to his October 1885 conviction, John Dillon s prison record records crimes committed 11 October 1883, 31 st March 1884, 11 October 1884 and 11 th May 1885.

8 The October 1884 conviction was reported as below. Theft from a Void House. Birmingham Daily Post 13 October 1884 Adie & Lovekin placed an advert regarding the use of Jubilee as a registered trade mark. Perhaps in anticipation of them advertising their Patent Coin and Medal Holder for use with the new Jubilee coins. Birmingham Daily Post 7 April 1887 Adie and Lovekin advertised in The Graphic their Patent Coin and Medal Holder. Unfortunately, no address is given. Queen Victoria s Golden Jubilee in 1887 saw a new Jubilee Coin issued. Adie & Lovekin s Patent Coin and Medal Holder was advertised as a way to wear the coin as a brooch. The Graphic 30 July 1887

9 Established 1863 Kelly s 1888 Directory New Local Companies launched 1889 saw Adie & Lovekin become Adie & Lovekin Limited Birmingham Daily Post 20 April 1889 Adie & Lovekin Ltd Source: New patent, registered 5 December 1889 for a curling iron Birmingham Daily Post 19 December 1890 Kelly s Directory 1892 Adie & Lovekin Ltd 1892 Source:

10 Fire on the premises of Messrs. Adie and Lovekin, manufacturing jewellers, Regent Street. The second storey of a three-storey building, used as a carpenter s shop, was on fire. Birmingham Daily Post 14 February 1893 Kelly s Directory 1896

11 Adie & Lovekin Limited, 1898 Sterling Silver Belt Buckle Source: Lansdowne Collectibles Sterling Silver Pin Cushion modelled in the form of a frog. Maker: Adie & Lovekin Ltd Origin: Birmingham, England Date: 1907 Source:

12 SILVERSMITHS (MANUFACTURING). BIRMINGHAM. ADIE & LOVEKIN Lim., Regent St. and Frederick St. CRANE'S DIRECTORY AND BUYERS' GUIDE, GOLDSMITHS. BIRMINGHAM. ADIE & LOVEKIN Lim., Regent st. & Frederick st. Mnfrs. of 9-Carat Hall Marked Gold Suites, Brooches, Bracelets, Earrings, Pendants, and all kinds of Silver Jewellery, Links, &c. CRANE'S DIRECTORY AND BUYERS' GUIDE, Kelly s 1903 Directory (and the above Crane s Directory) for Adie & Lovekin Ltd shows they are operating from Frederick Street as well as continuing at Regent Street. Kelly s Directory 1903 The 1901 Birmingham Rate Books show Adie & Lovekin as the occupier (as well as others) and owners of 3 Regent Street (N.B. William George Court is listed as the owner at 1 Regent Street).

13 Motorists charged with furious riding The charge against Alfred Lovekin, of Copt Heath, Solihull, was also dismissed on similar grounds. Gloucestershire Echo 8 July 1903

14 James Adie ( ) James Adie was born 1840, Birmingham, the son of William Adie, button maker, and Harriet Adie (nee Bromley). James Adie was recorded as a Silversmith in the 1861 census, living 104 Bath Row. He is with his mother, Harriet, a widow, and his siblings. On 30 May 1867, James Adie married Emily Woodhouse at St. Bartholomew, Edgbaston. Emily was the daughter of John Woodhouse, a builder. On the 1871 census, Albert Road, Handsworth, James Adie s occupation is Silversmith employing 10 men, 6 girls and 8 boys. Interestingly, living next door to James Adie, is Alfred Lovekin and his wife Lucy Susan Lovekin. Alfred s occupation is Silversmith, Master census On the 1881 census, James Adie s occupation is Silversmith 230 employees. (Is the number of employees correct? Could it be a mistake by the enumerator?) On the 1891 census, James Adie s occupation is Manufacturing silversmith & jeweler. By 1901, the census lists his occupation as Retired from Business. (Silversmith). And by the time of the 1911 census his occupation is Retired from active business. formerly of the firm of Adie and Lovekin, silversmiths.. This suggests that he was no longer connected to the company. Walsall Advertiser 28 June 1913

15 After the deaths of James Adie (1913) and Alfred Lovekin (1911), the business continued under the same name up to approximately Kelly s Directory 1921 One of James and Emily Adie s children, Percy James Adie ( ) and his wife were passenger on the Empress of Ireland which left Quebec 28 May 1914 bound for Liverpool. The ship had collided in the mouth of St. Lawrence with the collier Storstad and sank rapidly after approximately 15 minutes into the start of its voyage. Fortunately they were among the survivors Not long after their ordeal, they were photographed whilst attending Castle Bromwich Flying Meeting. Birmingham Daily Mail 22 June 1914

16 Alfred Lovekin ( ) Alfred Lovekin was born 1844, Birmingham, the son of Joseph Lovekin, boat builder, and Elizabeth Lovekin (nee Edwards). Alfred Lovekin s first marriage was to Lucy Susan Tickell in 1868 Birmingham. On the 1881 census, Alfred Lovekin s occupation is Silversmith. On the 1891 census, Alfred Lovekin s occupation is Silversmith Gold. On the 1901 census, Alfred Lovekin s occupation is Silversmith manufacturer. And by the 1911 census, occupation is Silversmith.