E M Dickinson

[rob123 6]

Any info on the above would be appreciated. They were based at 51-57 Division St, Murray Works, and in business from 1889 - 1923. Cheers.

[Edmund 189]

Edwin Murray Dickinson started recruiting managers for his new cutlery firm at 11 Cambridge Street in 1882, soon followed by recruitment of workers.

The original  premises ( warehouse, offices, cutlers shops with steam power) were offered to let in November 1887, and new premises at 51 Division Street were occupied early in 1888.

By October 1883 Dickinson was advertising the Division Street premises to let, ready to move into another new works (still called Murray Works) at 122  Rockingham Street.

It was probably a good location for the company close to the fire station, as they had several fires over the years

On 12th October 1901 notice was given that the firm was to be converted to a limited company:

By March 1908 the Rockingham Street works were for sale:

In 1909 the deeds for their new premises at 203 Arundel Street were deposited to secure a £3,000 loan from the Sheffield Banking Company.

On Christmas Eve 1926 several hundred pounds worth of damage was caused by a fire at the Arundel Street works. The founder, Edwin Dickinson died on 21st October 1930 aged 81 at his home at 449 Crookesmoor Road.

On 23rd May 1939 the firm went into voluntary liquidation

 

[rob123 6]

Cheers.

[Kalfred 15]

Hello this mark below, on a fork, may be a bit clearer than “rob123’s” image.

 

The advert in that initial post shows a figural trademark of a “screw” but there is reference elsewhere to trademarks “The El Dorado” and “The Invicta”. These may be marks from a period later than the ad. Below are photos of some “Invicta” items mentioned on the ad and there appear to be plenty of the “daggers” and razors around.

In researching I found that a simple “EMD” mark on some electroplated spoons had been attributed to “E.M.Dickinson”. A bit of a leap of faith I thought.

However there was the “S” to suggest manufacture in Sheffield, and it is also a fact that Dickinson had an official “E.M.D” silversmith’s mark registered with the Sheffield silversmith’s Guild. I still had a bit of doubt and then I found the next image.

What do I know about EP marks? These last marks were on a teapot, and although gothic, they look like E.M.D.S. And we know who uses “Invicta”.

 Kalfred

Ps.  Dickinsons may well have been a respected company as I found images of apparent “White Star Shipping Line” cutlery carrying a similar mark to the one on “rob123’s” item. Interestingly from 1916 the company’s catalogue was mentioned in a USA government report in connection with trade with Bolivia and Chile.

I did not read the entire publication but possibly the idea it contained was why did the 2 South American countries trade with “England” and not the USA.